FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1973, 18 October 1888, Page 2

FIRE AT SUNNYSIDE

(PBR PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Ohbistohuboh, October 16. The fire at Sunnyeide was practically extinguished by 3 o'clock. The city fire engine " Deluge " was the first to play on tha fire from an adjoining creek, about half an hour after the alarm. Half an hour latflr still f,he railway eDgine, whioh had been telephoned for, got tv work from an under ground tank In front of the building. A few minutes afterwards the other olty engine got Into play. Astrongnortheast wind rendered the work of the firemen difficult, but they acted with the greatest gallantry, as did men from the Addlngton work ahops. The fire began m the attio orer the 0 ward. When the roof fell a hole was observed m the chimney paaßiog through It, and it is supposed that sparks found their way through 'this. The chimney caught fire about 8.30 a.m., but it was ■appoaed to have been extinguished. The arrangements at the Asylum for fire prevention appear to have been defective. There Is a hand fire engine at the Asylum but it is not powerful and no vie was made of it. The fire boxes were not of mocb greater service. One was discovered to be full of blacking ; another was empty bnt looked and keyless. The whole of the upper portion of the female department la burned out, the roofiing, windows, doorr, eto, being consumed, while the upper floor is, m most places, destroyed. The damage to the lower part la mostly by water. The portiona burned or otherwise damaged are known as wards A., B , 0., and D. The block whioh was opened lately, has^esoaped with the exoeption of a new dormitory on the female aide. Tne female attendants' dining room ia gutted: The beautiful hall which was only recently opened has esoaped with a soaking, and the organ therein has escaped uninjured , AH the furniture m the lower portion of the buildiog was got out, bat everything iv the upper po.tlon of the building was destroyed, and the female attendants are reported to have > lost most of their clothing and belongings. < A few things out of the upper portion 1 of ward A Fere, however, salvaged. I It is to the credit of the Gai Company's men that they were first to arrive from town and turned tff the gas from the endangered portion of the building. The value of the part of the buildings burned Is variously estimated, but It is probably little less than £12,000. The wing gutted was two etoreyed, of concrete, with a slate roof, Part was built 13 years ago ; the newer portion 9 years ago Naturally the patients are a source of most terrible anxiety when a fire occurs at a Lunatic Asylum. It is satisfactory to relate In this instance that no panic ooourred, and that the patients were got safely away without mishap, They (143 m number) were safely stowed away m the laundry across the lawn. The men's ward was not looked to In the confusion and excitement, and the head attendant was In great unosrtalnty as to the fate of all. Two were missing for a time but at last oomplete assurance came of the safety of every one. This fortunate result Is due to the obi and unselfish way In whioh the attendants, particularly the women, did their duty at a trying time, m faoe of the disturbing fact that several of them had lost their all. I ] Arrangements have been made for < temporarily housing the female patients i m the old Immigration Barracks at J Addlngton. i The people living m the neighborhood were also prompt In their offers of assistanoe, »n<i plenty of accommodation was ready and malting. With regard to the defects In fire prevention applianoes at Sunnyalde, Dr McGregor reported on March 16th, 1887, that the result of the trial of appliances was " very impressive, confirming m every respect the condemnation bo frequently expressed m official reports of Qolonel Lean, Deputy Inspector." tjnder date April 16th, 1888, Dr MoQregor cays :— II The most urgent wants at present are i the effrotlng of proper precautions against 1 fire, so often urged by the vigilant Deputy I Inapeptor, Oolpnel Lean ''