DANGER FROM FIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 55, 6 March 1942, Page 3

DANGER FROM FIRE

GAS PROPELLED VEHI< LES (P.A.) Wellington. March 4. Referring to the new fire hazard created by the use of gas-producer units as a substitute for petrol, Hon. J. G. Barclay (acting-Commissioner of State Foresis) said that while users )f gas-propelled vehicles should exercise care at all times, it was particularly necessary on country roads during the autumn. Reports had already reached him of lii-es directly caused by the escape of hot ashes from improperly constructed units. Where it was necessary in the course of a journey to clear the lire box. there was a grave danger of fire commencing in dry grass and oracken along the highways. Such [ires were often unnoticed by the Iraveller and could do untold damage f not immediately extinguished. The only really effective way was to carry water on the vehicle with which to irow’n all live embers and clinker and o dump no furnace refuse unless on Iry earth or a rock surface clear of oil' vegetation. The Minister added that South Ausralia recentlv enacted legislation naking it a penal offence for eight nonths of the year to empty live •oals, hot ashes, or other material Tom a gas-producer equipment except into a receptacle with sufficient vater to extinguish the live embers mmediately. It is also an offence to iso imporperlv constructed units vhich permitted snarks and hot ashes ;o escape. _