FIRE DESTROYS GRANDSTAND

Chronicle (Levin), 30 October 1946, Page 7

FIRE DESTROYS GRANDSTAND

-Press Association

By Telegraph-

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 29. Lighting up the sky' for miles around, a fire which broke out before midnight last niglit destroyed the main xiublic grandstand at the Rangiora racecourse. The building was.insured for £1500, aecording to the secretary of the North Canterbury Racing Club, Mr. P. I. Byrne. He estimated that the loss to the club would be much greater than that. . The flames scorched oue end of the stewards' stand which was about a chaiii away froin the main stand, and is now the only stand on the racecourse. Members of the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade fought successfuly to prevent the spread of the flames. The heat of the fire .cracked the windows in a whare within a chain of the fire. The whare was occupied by the caretaker, Mr. C. F. Bell, who gave the alarm. Mr. Bell was awakened by the barking of his dog a few minutes before midnight. He discovered that tlie west end of the grandstand liad just burst into flames. The fire spread quickly, burning right along the front of the staiid and then going through to the baek. A big crovvd gathered to watch ihe spectacular blaze, cars coming from as far away as Swannanoa. The stand liad a seating accommodation for nearly 3000 people and liad tea rooms and a bar built in at the back.