FIRE BOMB MENACE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 17, 16 February 1942, Page 5

FIRE BOMB MENACE

SAFETY MEASURES DEMON-

STRATED

WHAKATAXE VISITORS

Four methods of dealing with incendiary bombs were demonstrated to a large number of Rotorua residents by members of the Rotorua Fire Brigade, at the lakel'ront on Thursday last. The demonstration was carried, out under the direction of Mr T. Anderson, superintendent of the Fire Brigade and Fire Controller. The speed with which an incendiary gains hokl on combustible Articles was shown as Avere the three methods of dealing with the bombs.

Whakatane was represented by Mr S. S. Shapley, Chairman of the Fire Board, Superintendent of the Brigade, F. H. Stewart. Deputy-Super-intendent T. Hurndell and Captain J, White, of the Auxiliary Brigade

Mr T. Anderson gave instructions for the practical use of dealing with the bombs, and said that to effectively counter the resultant fire, a quantity of sand, a wooden spade and fork, a stirrup pump, a garden spray, and- a hose were needed. Several practice bombs were displayed, together with a partially burntout specimen and a dummy German Inccnd i ary bomb.

"It "will be necessary for every

occupier of business premises to establish fire-wa tchcrs. for reporting incendiary bombs. r J he brigade, will have no time to deal with incipient fires caused by incendiarics, as their services will be needed with major outbreaks," said Mr Anderson.

Bombs Appear Fearsome

During the time, while the prim(ng composition was burning the bomb took on a fearsome aspcct ; small jets of flame emitted and pieces of moultcn magnesium a\cis thrown a. short distance. The bomb could not be extinguished by smothering with sand, but this was applied so that the magnesium did not reach the air, because it needs oxs'-

gen to burn

The methods for dealing with the incendiaries were then taken as 10l-

lows: —

(1) A bomb "was ignited and sand was poured on to the blaze, and with the aid of a wooden rake, the bomb was scraped on to a wooden spade and placed in ?>. bucket ol water, where it spluttered for a few minutes before dj'ing cut. Mr Anderson explained that wooden implements were used in preference to the ordinary steel types because they did not heat so quickly.

(2) A bomb was ignited and a stirrup pump was employed. While one. girl pumped the other directed a fine spray on to the bomb. Sand was also employed to smother it. The wooden implements were again used and the bomb was placed in water. It was explained at this stage that ft fine spray should be used, otherwise, the end of tlfe hose should be pinched so as to direct a line flow of water on to the bomb. (3) A direct stream of water was applied to an ignited bomb and a similar method with the incendiary, as was demonstrated in the second case was shown. (4) The effect of a lighted bomb on combustible objects which burnt quickly, and the speed which which the fire obtained a hold, was shown by placing an ignited bomb on top of wooden chips and shavings. The blaze was controlled bj r the third method, was being pumped from the Fire Brigade engine at approximately town pressure.

Excellent Demonstration

Superintendent Stewart, conversing with a BEACON representative stated tliat *the demonstration was on excellent one and added that he had applied to Wellington for seme bombs so that a display could be given in Wlialcatane. He stated that the possibility was not a very likely one, but hoped that it coujd be arranged as the only satisfactory method of teaching people was by

a demonstration