NO FURTHER BODIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26624, 21 November 1947, Page 4

NO FURTHER BODIES

SCENE OF FIRE

WRECKAGE OF BALLANTYNE’S BUILDING

PA. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 19. No more bodies were found, and no more persons were reported missing to-day in the second day’s investigations after the fire in the drapery store of J. Ballantyne and Company, in which 41 persons have been missing since Tuesday afternoon and 39 bodies have been recovered. One survivor died in hospital. Fifteen more persons in the casualty list have been confirmed as definitely missing.

Many tons of debris were searched and removed, and water has been pumped from two sections of the basement. It is in one of these that the fire is believed to. have started. They will probably be examined to-mor-row.

Funeral Arrangements

The funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon and will probably be broadcast. After a combined service in the Christchurch Cathedral services will be conducted beside a common grave at the Ruru Lawn Cemetery by the Protestant • and Roman Catholic Churches. . ..

Men to-day continued their laborious task of picking over every piece of debris.' in. Bailantynp’s building in search of possible yibtims. About 80 soldiers “in groups’, each under the supervision .of a policeman,, toiled through the hours of daylight, relieved only for refreshment served under the control of the Salvation Army. Under the expert direction of the city engineer, Mr E. Somers, and the district engineer of the Public Works Department, Mr E. F. Evans, the men made good progress, in opening up new areas. Once the loose debris had been lifted by hand, the winch of a large army mobile crane was used ro pull away tangled iron girders, wooden beams, and twisted piping. Every care was taken to ensure that nothing was taken away before a search for bodies had been made. Clue to Identification

The task of the searchers has been made very difficult by the enormous amount of charred fabric which remains in many parts of the building. It is hard to distinguish between the stock of the shop and articles which may be personal property. Near the corner entrance late this afternoon one party of searchers found a purse with ration book, photographs and keys inside. It was thought that they could be identified.

Work was suspended on several occasions in different parts when danger was seen from loosened girders and masonry. Some were pulled clear by hawsers, and others were made safe. Until to-day cordons prevented the public from approaching Ballantyne’s building nearer than about 200 yards from the corner. To-day they could move up on the north and western sides and see how completely the three-storied structure had been burnt out.

Ever since the fire crowds have watched the clearing operations almost mutely until the early hours of the morning. Although the overhead power lines had beep restored, traffic could not travel along the two streets to-day because of clearing operations. Further demolition of the standing walls is not likely 1o be attempted until the interior wreckage is cleared in the search for bodies. Meanwhile, lorries are constantly taking away piles of debris.