DUNEDIN FIRES

Hokitika Guardian, 10 January 1929, Page 6

DUNEDIN FIRES

PAST YEAR’S RECORD. REVIEW OF BRIGADE’S WORK. DUNEDIN, January 3. Fire caused a momentary loss ol £3;,000 and the deaths of two persons in Dunedin during the year 15)28. Excepting lor the fatal fire in York Place and the high fire loss the year for the Dunedin Fire Brigade was an uneventful one. The number of calls, SOS .was a record though and the Brigade had a busy time. Of the 173 fires during the year the most serious were at A. S. Paterson and Co.’s store, the old Occidental Hotel, the Beehive store in George street, J. and W. Faulkner’s in Cumberland street, the Commercial Bank Chambers in Dowling street, and the fire at the residence in York Place in which a man lost his life, a woman was fatally injured, and another woman was seriously injured. The causes of many of the fires were faulty construction of chimneys, and hearths, according to Superintendent Napier. There were eighty-four calls to rubbish and bush fires, and 127 chimney blazes were attended to by the Brigade. The calls for the various months were as follows: —January, 20February, 3(1; March, 35; April, 32; alay, 52; June, 50; July, 50; August, 45); September, 51; October, 41; November, 48; December. 37. The false alarms answered totalled ninety-one, sixty-three being malicious.

“It is a most unfortunate position to place any brigade in,” said Superintendent Napier, when commenting on the malicious fire alarm menace. 11 There is not only the danger to the public and men when answering the calls, but the machines might be away from the station when they should h< on duty to answer a genuine call. Moreover, it is a big wear and tear on heavy machines such as fire engines, which travel at express speed, with its consequent expense. The youth of the town should consider that the Fire Brigade is not a toy. It is essential for tho protection of all citizens and when the machines are away on these fool errands loss of life and property may very easily occur in another portion of the district. 1 would counsel all parents and school teachers to impress upon the children the very sei ious loss which may occur when the machines are called out by malicious 'false alarms.” Commenting on the year’s work, Superintendent Napier said the period had been an uneventful one in many ways. The fire loss was larger than it should have been, but that was due to certain fires having too big a hold before the Fire Brigade was called out. “ The plant is in good order,” lr added, “having been practically reconditioned during the past twelve months. There are six machines, including the telescopic ladder machine. On the Brigade staff there are thirtyfive permanent men' which means that the Brigade’s strength has been maintained. Fifteen auxiliary firemen are on duty for night calls, while an additional eleven auxiliary firemen attend to theatre work.”

“ J cannot say there has been anv improvement m the water supply, said Superinteudent Napier in reply to a question. “ The Corporation officials have done all they can to assistus in maintaining a good supply of water, but the fire area is always increasing and the water storage is remaining stationary.” During the year the ambulances which are attached to the Brigade answered 1198 calls from as far noitii as Palmerston and from Central Ota<ro, and altogether covered 8315 miles. The drivers have given every satisfaction and not one complaint has been received of their handling of passengers.