GRAVE FIRE RISKS IN INVERCARGILL

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 November 1947, Page 6

GRAVE FIRE RISKS IN INVERCARGILL

(P.A.) Invercargill, Nov. 26. “There are buildings in Invercargill which are bigger fire risks than was Ballantynes in Christchurch, if a lire breaks out in them while they are crowded Ballantynes fire will be just a baby,’’ said Mr. D- Harris, chairman of the Invercargill Fire Board at a meeting of the board yesterday. Buildings in the city which were named as fire risks by Mr. Harris were the three hotels owned by the Invercargill Licensing Trust and the new Girls’ High School. The question of the girls’ high school has exercised our minds and we know the danger is there there,” said Mr. Harris. There are big long passages which are open at both ends, and they constitute a grave risk. We have made recommendations to the authorities but what did we get? We were told to mind our own Superintendent J. Philp has expert knowledge to make representations, but those in authority take no notice of them.”

The Hotel Cecil, Avenal Hotel, and Deschlers Hotel did not conform with the regulations, said Mr. Harris. Superintendent Philp had informed the trust of this, but nothing had been done. “There is definite danger in these hotels,’’ said Mr. Harris. The trust advertises the fact that it has made large profits but it does not do anything about fire precautions. Perhaps if we have a fire like that at Ballantynes they might sit up and take notice.

Mr. A. Spooner said fire risk was general throughout New Zealand. The Standards Institute, Wellington, had made recommendations for standard escapes throughout the Dominion, and fire boards had been trying to cut down the danger for years, nut they had no authority. Authorities should have the necessary work done and charge it up to the offenders. Superintendent Philp said that apart from the Avenal. Cecil, and Deschlers, the Trust hotels complied with the regulations. However, Private Club Hotel had no fire escapes from some of the third story bedrooms. He had made representations to the city council but as far as be knew nothing had been done about them.

After a long discussion it was decided that Superintendent Philp should make a survey of the large buildings of the city and that it should enforce its by-laws concerning fire precautions, •