MINOR OUTBREAKS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 157, 29 March 1939, Page 10

MINOR OUTBREAKS

Showers Of Sparks And Embers ADJACENT BUILDINGS IN PERIL Incipient Fires Checked From the fire were hurled cascades of sparks and flaming brands, which provided a spectacular display, fraught with peril to the crowd in the streets and a constant menace to buildings over a wide area. Flaming fragments were driven fully a mile, pouring down on the upturned faces, making a crimson carpet on the adjacent streets, and thickly mantling roofs of nearby buildings. Several incipient outbreaks occurred. These were extinguished by regular firemen detailed to watch outlying

points, and by volunteer workers. Though containing all tlie elements of danger, fortunately these tires were extinguished before they could obtain a firm hold.

Soon after the main outbreak sparks flung outward and upward from Victoria House began to fall in a dense shower on buildings in the immediate vicinity. Tlie tallest directly in the path of the sparks, and no less than 100 yards away, was “The Dominion’ building. Material on the roof took fire, but the flames were put o,ut by Hie staff. \ The flat roof was so thickly covered with sparks and brands, some of which were two feet long, that it was impossible to take a step without treading on them. A hose was re quesitioned, and had to be kept in constant use for two hours to keep the position under control. Volunteers Suppress Outbreak. Another outbreak occurred on Hie roof of the Majestic Theatre in Wiliis Street, 300 yards away from the seat of the lire. It, too, was put. out. A further incipient outbreak occurred on the roof of Gates’s restaurant opposite the Majestic Theatre, it was also dealt with by volunteers..

The most serious outbreak of this nature was in Manners Street, a quarter of a mile from Victoria Hou.se, and it kept, .several men fully occupied for 20 minutes coping with the flames, which at one stage promised to become serious. Near the Y.M.C.A. building in Upper Willis Street tlie hood of a parked motor-car took fire. There were several other minor incipient outbreaks. Hoses Played on Buildings. Nearer to the fire auxiliary firemen were busy with hoses playing them on shop verandas, on the facade of "Tlie Dominion” Building, on Martin’s shoe stores nearly opposite, and other buildings in Mercer Street. There was great danger to the extensive roof area of Dutliie’s Building, which extends from Willis Street into Victoria Street. It formed a natural catchment area for the low-flying sparks and heavy embers. The heat generated from the closely-matted sparks threatened to frustrate the efforts of tlie brigade to localize the outbreak. The brigade brought its high extension ladder into operation in Willis Street, a firemen being stationed at the top of it to direct a constant stream of water on to Duthie’s roof.

Spectators in Willis Street expected to sec the upper stories of the Windsor Hotel engulfed in flame, so fierce and insistent was the spattering of sparks against Hie windows of that building. Though about 50 yards away from the seat of the fire, it withstood the heat. Many of Hie guests, fearing the worst, vacated their rooms. Rumour spread among the crowd I hat the rear portion of the Empire Hotel on tlie north side of Victoria House bad caught fire. In tlie hotel itself many of (he guests vacated their quarters and. wit.li their belongings, congregated in the foyer in axions expectation. Ollier guests congregated on Hie south side of the building, where they witnessed the full effect of the tierce blaze as from a theatre box. probably less than 20 yards from the flames. The awe-inspiring scene, coupled with tlie intermittent crash of falling glass, bricks, mortar and other debris, will long be remembered by those who witnessed it. The intensity of the heat very quickly caused them to vacate their vantage points.