TYPES OF FIRE ESCAPES

Hokitika Guardian, 26 June 1931, Page 2

TYPES OF FIRE ESCAPES

ROPES UNRELIABLE

EVIDENCE A:T WELLINGTON INQUEST.

WELLINGTON, June 23. Evidence was given as to ihe efficiency of various types of fire escapes at the inquest into the deaths of Hairy Hyde, late licensee of the Panama Hotel, and Carl Christian Kraus, barman, who died as a result of injuries received when the hotel was burnt to the ground on May 21. The Coroner (Mr I. Salek, J.P.) said that ropes, which were previously held to be an efficient means of escape, were not to be rclied upon." “1 would recommend the authorities to give more consideration to stairways and outside balconies, not from one point of the building, but from several points,’’ he said,

After the inquest had closed SubInspector' Lopddl pointed out that in the experience of licensees a great many means of escape afforded opportunities for dishonesty. The Lcensee had not only to make sure of providing an adequate means of escape; he also had to consider the protection of his property and of his guests.

JUMPED TO PAVEMENT. Awaken-d at 3,30 tun, by the hotel porter M’Gee, John J, Crowley, barman and professional bqxey, said that he became confused owing to the tlarms and smoke and, not thinking of the rope fixed near (the window, jumped to the pavement.

Sub-Inspector Lopdcll : Supposing someone who was old or infirm had jumped from the first floor Lke that. What would have happened?—l think that if a woman had jumped irom a window she would have been very badly injured, probably killed.

Would you expect an average woman to negotiate a rope safely?—L thnk she could.

Was it possible for anyone to use the staircase?—No, tlaiAes were coming up.

LICENSEE'S FALL. Another barman employed at the Panama Hotel, George M. Skene, said that he had .shared a room with the deceased Kraus. On the morning of the fire ho was awakened by the ringing of an alarm bell. He went out into the passage to see what wAs the matter'. Smoke, was coming up from downstairs and witness returned to his room and woke Kraus, who seemed very sleepy. Later witness had tp pull him out of bed. Witness then went along the passage to the fire escape and climb’ed dcVwn. Mr Hyde cattß’aftJd him, ’but' when he was about five feet from the ground lie fell and injured Himself.

pope difficulties, Dq you consider that rope? ore an 'effective means of escaping frqm a burning building P—Rqpes, when th £ y aie coiled up apd are thrown qut qf a window often hapg ip a bunch, There is nqt one man in twenty whq would get down without burping ins bands or falling when ho got near the ground. Do you think the safety of the public would be better served by having a landing outside the windows? —Absolutely.

Continuing his evidence, witness said that there was nothing the matter wjth the escape ladder that would have caused Mr ’Hyde to fall, except that it was wet with dew and was rather difficult to get down when one was in a hurry. Witness did not actually see Kraus leave the building, but saw him run across the road with the arms of the garment he was wearing ablaze. If he had not been so difficult to rouse, Kraus would probably have escaped without injury.

CUT OFF BY FLAMES. Mrs Hyde said she was awakened about 3 a.m. by her husband, who told her the place was on fire. He then went outside and switched on the alarm to awaken the others,

Cross-examined by the sub-inspector, Air 3 Hyde said that the ropes had all been renewed twelve months before the (fire, and all the requests made by the inspector in connection with the alarm and fire escapes had been carried out. Sub-Inspector Lopdell; Would you have been able to use those ropes with safety?—There was none in iny room. When I went to follow my husband along the passage the flames came in the door and along the carpet, driving ine to the window.

Did the fire spread much quicker than you would have expected when you were considering the question of fire escapes?—Oh yes, it was like lightning through the house. Had there been any children or infirm people in the building, do you consider they would feaye run a big risk of b.eing burnt?.—-Yes, ' BETTER class OF ESCAPE,

Thomas B. Clarke, deputy superintendent of the Wellington Fife Brigade, said that when the dangerous goods inspector looked at the fire escapes on February 12 of this year they were considered adequate for that class of building.

Sub-Inspector Lopdell : Do you th nk that a rope fire escape is desirable in this class of building?—J think the time has come for a better class of escape for th ? se buildings. A rope escape is all right for y° u ng people, but, in my opinion, is no good for elderly people or invalids.

The Coroner stated that there was no criticism to be levelled against the jjfispector, in view of the fact that the

means of escape had Ijpen runsideriYi sufficient up till the time of the fire. Sub«lnspector Lopdel! said that the reason for his asking so many questions in connect : on with the Are escapes was that he aimed to profit from an expo silence which they had not e-'pe-ted, and one that had not beep provided for jn their standards. The Coroner returned findings, in accordance with medical evidence, that <Hyde had died from heart failure, accelerated by shock received when escaping from the building, and that- Kraus had died as the result of burns. He was not prepared to make any finding as to the cause of the fire.