SPECTACULAR BLAZE BREAKS OUT IN CITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18641, 19 December 1928, Page 9

SPECTACULAR BLAZE BREAKS OUT IN CITY.

FIREMEN SHOW THEIR PACES FOR BENEFIT OF THE MOVIE CAMERA. Columns of smoke suddenly burst from the roof of a building next to the Central Fire Brigade Station at eleven o'clock this morning. Almost immediately the brigade had a ladder up to the roof, and a stream of water was playing on the blaze. A cry went up from the crowd. At a window was an agonised face, surrounded by smoke. In no time there was a life sheet spread below the window, and the terrified man jumped to safety. By this time the blaze was beginning to feel the effects of the high pressure hoses, and it was soon out altogether. Like many other thrilling episodes, all this was done for the sharp qye of the movie camera, standing unobtrusively in a corner. This fire scene is one which will form part of the film “ A Daughter of Christchurch,” which is now in the making. For it Superintendent Warner and his men turned from firemen to movie actors. But. all did not go well at first, as it will appear on the screen. The fireman detailed for the thrilling leap from the window of the blazing building was rather anxious the first time, and, leaping too soon, landed on two of the men holding the sheet, knocking them over. How did the fire start? Well, there was another member of the brigade on the root of the blazing house busily making a good fire with resin and shavings. He says he has helped to put out hundreds of fires, but'has never before started one.