Fire Calls in Greymouth

Grey River Argus, 14 April 1948, Page 2

Fire Calls in Greymouth

The Greymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade was kept busy yesterday morning with two fire calls. The first was at about 10.15 when an alarm came from the residence of Mr R. Marley, of Sturge Street, Cobden. Both the central and Cobden machines turned up at the fire, although it was apparently thought, at first, that it was in Holland Settlement, for both machines proceeded there. Mr Marley who was at the Greymouth railway station farewelling Mrs Marley bound on the express en route to Northumberland, England, via Auckland, rushed to his home and found that the fire was In the washhouse behind the .residence on the side of the hill. Ashes from a fire in the copper had fallen to the floor, setting it alight. The householder had the fire out before the services of the firemen were required. Most of the brigadesmen had just settled back to their jobs when the siren brought them out again at noon. Speedily manned, the Greymouth engine went to a call from (he Technical High School in High Street. Flames from a rubbish tin had spread to bushes on the edge of the school arboretum, and at one stage looked as though they might destroy much of the valuable collection of shrubs and seedlings. The arboretum was established by Mr E. L. Kehoe, and is a prized asset of the school. However, the brigade’s timely arrival and prompt work soon had the fire under control and little damage was done.