FIRE AT FORT DORSET

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 143, 20 June 1939, Page 8

FIRE AT FORT DORSET

ARTILLERYMEN FIGHT OUTBREAK DAMAGE TO MESSROOM BLAZE SOON I N’DER CONTROL [ Per Press Association ] WELLINGTON, June 19. Fire \-igadesmen from Miramar and Wellington South and artillerymen combined to fight a fire which broke out last night in a large messroom at Fort Dorset, Wellington. It was in the south-west corner of the fort grounds, well away from any munitions. The alarm was given at 8.27 p.m. The fire started in a settee in the sit-ting-room section of the messroom, a single-storied wooden building with an iron roof. Artillerymen formed their fire squads promptly, attached hoses to the fort hydrants, and did good work till the arrival of the brigades. Then the two forces combined to make short work of the fire. Damage was done to the ceiling, walls and furniture Seatoun residents who could see the fire from their hillside homes sent many calls to the fire station; some well after the brigades had arrived there. Not for a long time had so

many calls been received for one fire. After having had grandstand seats at big city fires this year the public had a disappointment at Fort Dorset, where no outsiders are admitted at any time except on official business. Though the blaze was small, it had the attraction of breaking out on an ‘‘off night” for entertainment and of being centred in a military fort, always a source of iterest. No member of the public was allowed in the fort grounds. Summoned by the modern “bush telegraph.” which quickly spreads news events likely to be sensational, scores of motorists went to Seatoun Heights from all parts of