THEATRE GUTTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 65, 15 June 1942, Page 5

THEATRE GUTTED

SPECTACULAR EDGECUMBE FIRE SPLENDID WORK BY LOCAL BRIGADE But for the work of the Rangitaiki Plains Dairy 1 Company's Fire Brigade, a spectacular fire which destroyed the familiar land mark known as the: Green Parrot Theatre at Edgecumbe would almost have certainly spread to other adjoining premises; and resulted in. something approaching a major disaster as far as the township was concerned. The Brigade which was on the spot a few minutes after the alarm was given drew from the Rangitaiki River and fed a long lead from its pressure pump across the interevening ground. The building which serves l the dual) purpose of hall and picture theatre was completely gutted but the two shops flanking the entrance remain standing though their iear structure has been considerably damaged. The outbreak was first noticed about 2 p.m. Avlien smoke was seen to be issuing from the rear of the theatre. The alarm was given ancl the Dairy Company's Brigade were on the scene in a few minutes. The flames which had spread Avith astonishing rapidity had a good grip of the building, the intense heat bulging the walls which at any moment threatened to collapse and threw the flames 011 to boarding house and the premises occupied by Messrs Hay and Rogers grocers, which are on the north and south sides lyThe firemen under ex-Superintend-ent Ward and Superintendent Becker put in excellent work, but after the collapse of the roof amid a great column of dense black smoke and sparks thev confined their efforts mainly to preserving the neighbouring structures. A triple lead was secured and a stream of water was kept on the two buildings. The Dairy Company's electrician, Mr A. R. Burgess, at some personal risk to himself, disconnected the electric power from the building and thus removed all risk in this direction. At the height o.f the fire the walls of the theatre took on an ominous outward lean but the brigadesmen countered this by Hie erection of props against the most dangerous

portions. An hour and a half after the outbreak the flames were- under control and when the Whakatane Brigade, which had obligingly made the trip to assist, arrived the whole position was well in hand. The Whakatane Bridage's action was greatly appreciated by Edgecumbe residents, hut it would not be exaggerating tlie posiiton to state that had the Dairy Company's fire service not been on the spot and taken the prompt' action it did nothing could have prevented the main centre of the shopping section from being destroyed . The hall which is owned by Mr E. Holden was erected e'ght years ago when the Edgecumbe township commenced its expansion. For many years it served, the district as a theatre and hall and until the new hall Avas built two years ago by Mr T. Bell was the main rallying point for residents.

The concrclc. face gives way to a AvoQclen structure at the rear wliich explains the reason for the intensity of the flames and the phenomenal vapidity of their spread. The two shops which face the road were occupied by a tobacconist and confectioner. Insurance figures arc not at present available.