WILLING HELPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26622, 19 November 1947, Page 4

WILLING HELPERS

MEMBERS OF ARMED FORCES VALUABLE SERVICES Daily Times Special Service CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 18. Men from every army establishment near Christchurch, the airmen . from Wigram, and sailors and Royal Marines from the two warships >an vvEyttelton were foremost among helpers at the fire. A tribute to their work was paid by the superintendent of the Fire Brigade, Mr A. Morrison, and the superintendent of police, Mr H. Scott > v V' : v" Sailors from the Bellona and the Arbutus who were on. leave in Christchurch maintained the tradition of the British Navy in being the first to help in any disaster. Many tossed their jackets on to the footpaths and rushed to the assistance of firemen handling hoses, while others helped the police to control the crowds; Under the charge of Lieutenantcolonel A. Bongard, area commander, men from the army offices in Cashel street and Cambridge terrace rushed to the scene of the fire and were instructed to offer assistance to any men who were in uniform. Within a short time men from the army camp at Poulson street, Addington, were at the fire, and two fire engines from the military camp at Burnham arrived shortly after. Every available man at Burnham was mobilised, and men were brought to Christchurch in trucks to take over from the police the job of cordoning off Cashel and Colombo streets.

When the fire had died down and a start was made on bringing out the bodies of some of those who perished, a group of soldiers helped the police and firemen to carry the remains to the hearses. Many of the sailors and marines who had been working hard since the fire first broke out were nearing collapse early in the evening, and they were relieved by soldiers. The sailors were taken to the camp at Poulson street, where the army had hot food and drink, warm blankets, and dry clothing. All the hot food that could be prepared at Burnham was rushed to the city in trucks, and soldiers set up a canteen in a shop doorway in Cashel street. Policemen, firemen, and voluntary workers eagerly took a bite to eat and a drink before they rushed back to their duties.