SERIOUS FIRE RISKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26629, 27 November 1947, Page 4

SERIOUS FIRE RISKS

BUILDINGS IN INVERCARGILL HOTELS AND GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL P.A. INVERCARGILL, Nov. 26. “ There are buildings in Inver- - cargill which are bigger fire risks than was Ballantync’s in Christchurch. If fire breaks out in them while they are crowded Ballantyne’s fire will be just a. baby,” said Mr D. Harris, chairman of the Invercargill Fire Board, at a meeting of the board to-day. Buildings in the city which were named as fire risks by Mr Harris were three hotels owned by the Invercargill Licensing Trust and the new Girls’ High School. “The question of the Girls’ High School has exercised our minds and we know the danger is there,” said Mr Harris, There are big long passages which are open at both ends, and they constitute a grave risk. We have made recommendations to the authorities, but what did we get? We were told to mind our own business. Superintendent J. Phelp has the expert knowledge ,to make .representations, but those in authority take no notice of them.”

The. Hotel Cecil; the Avenal Hotel, and Deschlers Hotel did not conform with the regulations, said Mr Harris. Superintendent Philp had informed the trust of this; but nothing had been done. “ There is a definite danger in these hotels,” said Mr Harris. “The trust advertises the fact that it has made large profits, but it does not do anything about fire precautions. Perhaps if we have 1 a fire like that at Ballantyne’s, they might sit up and take notice.”

Mr A. Spooner said that fire risk was general throughout New Zealand.The Standards Institute in Wellington had made recommendations for standard fire escapes throughout the Dominion and'fire boards had been trying to cut. down the danger for years, but they had no authority. The authorities should have the • necessary work done and charge it rip to the offenders. Superintendent Philp said that apart from the Avenal, Cecil, and Deschlers, the trust hotels complied with the regulations. . A private hotel, however, had no fire escapes from some of the third storey bedrooms. He had made representations to the City Council, but as far :as he knew nothing had been done about them. After a long discussion it was decided that Superintendent Philp should make a survey of the large buildings of the city and that it should be recommended to the City Council that it should enforce Tts by-laws concerning fire precautions.