Brigade Superintendent Reports On Serious Fire In Waiiotara

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 April 1949, Page 6

Brigade Superintendent Reports On Serious Fire In Waiiotara

Action taken by the Wanganui Fire Brigade when an urgent appeal lor assistance was received from Waitotara late on the night of January 4, when a serious outoreak occurred in the township, were described by Superintendent N. M. Ross in a s-pecial report presented to the Wanganui Fire Board at its meeting yesterday. ‘At about 11.30 p.m. on January 4 a telephone call was received from the postmaster at Waitotara asking | lor assistance as a large lire was in progress in the township,” Superintendent Ross stated. “The question of water- was discussed and I pointed out that although the river was close to the fire, the trailer pump would have to be taken down the river bank to within at least 12 feet of the waler. This he thought, would not be possible, and I told him that I did not. think we would be of any assistance. “However, some time later I tele- i phoned Waitotara to see what the i position was then. 1 spoke to the | postmaster's wife, he being at the lire.: and I was informed that the fire was i

serious, the hotel was in danger and it was thought, that the lire would cross the street. 11. was then that: 1 decided to send the hose laying uni: out, for if the trailer could be go: down to the waler half a mile on either side of the lire we would be able to relay sullicient waler to stop the progress of the lire,” Superintendent Ross added. “As the unit was leaving the station at 1.12 a.m. another message was received from Waitotara appealing for help and advising that there was an artesian bore at tne rear of the hole: that could be used. No mention wa made of I his water supply earlier. "On arrival at the lire it was found that the Waverley Brigade was in attendance and had the position well in hand. The fact that the Waverley Brigade was there had not been mentioned before. As all danger of the fire spreading was over, we returned home at: 2.55 a.m." The chairman. Mr. G. P. Hawkins, commented that the superintendent was justified in sending a machine to Waitotara. Ho was not informed ol the full facts and that another brigade was already at the fire.