SUDDEN SPREAD OF BALLANTYNE’S FIRE FROM GASES

Grey River Argus, 13 April 1948, Page 5

SUDDEN SPREAD OF BALLANTYNE’S FIRE FROM GASES

Government Analyst’s Likely Explanation

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH April 12 A likely explanation of the sudden outbreak of flame over an extensive area of the first floor of Ballantynes building in Colombo street was that combustible gases were ignited, because of confinement, said Norman Patrick Alcorn, Government analyst, of Christhcurch. this afternoon, when he gave evidence to the Royal commission inquiring into Ballantynes fire of November 18.

He said that under the then likely conditions of incomplete ventilation, the lire in the cellar, used fo r the storage of textiles, would yield, besides a large quantity of smoke, products of carbonisation rich in carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, and other inflammable gases. A heated electric cable, such as the main supply in Ballantynes would also produce inflammable vapours. He said that it had been suggested that the ignition of the combustible gases was associated with the entry of water into the first floor of Congreve’s building. Such an explanation was consistent with the known tacts associated with gaseous explosions, provided it was assured that the concentration of gases must have been above the explosive limit, and the temperature above the ignition temperature. Assuming these conditions transpired, the introduction of air, drawn in by a stream of water, would, inevitably bring about ignition. Other likely explanations for the sudden ignition of combustible gases included the creeping of flame from the basement along wall linings; a spark carried up from the basement by a smoke pocket; burning gases moving up from the basement; an electrical spark, or fault, in the first floor rooms; and easily combustible materials becoming heated and glowing and so igniting the gases. It had been observed in his laboratory, on several occasions, that unpainted wood fibre wallboards of tn? type used in parts of Ballantynes had the peculiarity that, when heated to a temperature of about 480 degrees Fahrenheit, it would, without any increase in the temperature of the surrounding air, continue to heat until, at last, it was glowing at red heat, thus indicating a surface temperaure of well over 930 degrees. It gave off large quantities of gases at as low a temperature as 350 degrees. The minimum amount of gases which would nroduce a major explosion was about 1250 cubic feet. The amount of combustible gases coming from the basement, said Mr Alcorn, must have been several times this figure. His estimates did not support the theory that combustible gases from overheated electric cable were responsible alone, for the outbreak on the first floor.

Structural Risks at Ballantyne’s CHRISTCHURCH, Apri 12

Mr Roy Girling-Butcher, inspector of five brigades, told the Royal Commission inquiring into Ballantyne’s fire this morning, when cross-examin-ed by Mr B. A. Barrer (for the three unions), that “Tn my opinion, the construction of the buildings alone would invite disaster.” He did not think the brigade’s arrival had lessened Ballantyne’s responsibility to the staff. He felt that in such circumstances the brigade had the right to expect the assistance of civilians. A hook ladder could be used by a person who had sufficient strength to clamber out on to a window ledge and stay there. The question of the higher training of officers must be a Dominion matter. There had been a scheme during the war when the Government had provided finance. Any call which was not made as soon as a fire was discovered was a late call. Assuming that the time between the discovery of the fire and the call as 11 minutes, the call to Ballantyne’s was definitely a late call.

Brigade Inspector's Suggestions

After asking about the position of power lines and the use of an electric ladder, Mr Lascelles asked whether Mr Girling-Butdher considered that firemen should go through a wirecutting test. He replied that he preferred to see wire-cutting done by experts.

When he had suggested the use of the fire siren on a rising-falling note as an evacuation warning, he did not know that that was the signal used in Christchurch to warn the firemen of danger, the witness said to Mr W. H. Mathison (for the Fire ■Brigade Employees Union. heexamined by Mr Watson, the witness said that, in very large fires brigadesmen had no alternative but to rely on assistance from civilians. In every city there was a considerable number of men who had had firefighting training. It was not practicable, for financial and other reasons to organise a fire service capable of dealing, by itself, with every major fire. Since 1938, it had been necessary that any local authority wanting to make a by-law dealing with fire escapes or fire prevention, should submit it to him, said witness. Two bv-laws passed by the Christchurch City Council had not been submitted to him. He understood they were not operated. Mr Watson explained that the council was back to the 1930 by-law as it was found that by-laws had been passed wrongly, but technically this had not been discovered until 1947. Asked about the finances of Fire Boards, Mr, Girling-Butcher said that there was a general tendency to defer capital expenditure. Mr Watson, who emphasised that the question was not personal, asked: “Assuming that your wider scheme of reorganisation is not carried out and the present setup continued of having no central organisation, but as Inspector of Fire Brigades, do you not think that, on your retirement, it would be better to have, a man( of wide and practical experience in fire brigades?—Yes, provided he was also a man of sufficient administrative experience and education to deal with administration. The commission adjourned until tomorrow.