TUESDAY'S DISASTROUS FIRE

Chronicle (Levin), 3 October 1947, Page 4

TUESDAY'S DISASTROUS FIRE

. T PREDICTED THIS." •

Sir, — We have read of the disastrous loss in buildings, machinery, tools and a valuable truck in the flre at the Levin Boys' Training Centre on Tuesday night, the total running to the £6000 mark. Being a resident of Levin for over 30 years, I have watched the differenh Government institution buildings erected. They are nicely finished with well laid out grounds, but what a lack of foresight — no reservoir to draw on for fire fighting purposes. Our brigade, with a modern pumping machine, arrived 'on the scene very promptly on Tuesday night, only to • be checkmated by lack of water. There is no doubt

that the brigade would have made a splendid save had a reservoir been constructed near these buildings: I have lived to see my predictions come true. As a taxpayer who must contribute a portion of this loss, I want to ask the following" questions: Which Government Depart'ment is responsible for the lack of foresight shown in not having this reservoir constructed? Did a certain engineer wave aside the possibility of extending a three-ineh water main from. Beach Road to the institution, the water from which could have been fed into a reservoir for fire fighting purposes? Is it not a fact that the Government has inspectors for looking into such matters as fire prevention and, if sb, where are these inspectors? In concluding I would like to see our Junior Chamber of Commerce take the matter further, as the state of affairs existing is very unsatisfactory. Yours etc.,

Levin, Oct. 2.