CAUSES OF FIRES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 270, 4 February 1928, Page 27

CAUSES OF FIRES

32 YEARS OF SALVAGE DANGERS OF CELLULOID Colonel C. J. Fox, who is retiring, after 32 years’ service, from the position of Chief Officer of the London Salvage Corps, recalled in an interview with a representative of the “Observer” some of the changes that have taken place during the past quarter of a century. In 1895, when ho was appointed, “the Are service,” he said, “had been improvir for many years under Captain Shaw, made famous both by Sir William Gilbert and by his work. “Building conditions in London have changed considerably since that time, and although it is popularly believed they are an improvement, so far as fire risks are concerned, I am not entirely in accord with that view. In the old days we had to deal with houses of four, five and six floors, built of brick and timber, and we could safely do salvage work for a considerable time immediately underneath the fire without any fear of the building collapsing. In these days of iron structures and stone fronts, the conditions are by no means less dangerous, as there is always the risk of the girders expanding and pushing out the stone work. I have seen girders collapse into the street, marking the buildings opposite in a way that suggested a bombardment. "Traffic conditions have also altered considerably with the almost total abolition of the horse and the substitution of motor traction. Here, again, it has not been altogether an advantage, because the horse traffic used to get out of the vay automatically on hearing the firebells and the shouts, whereas some of the motorvans now are so covered in that they take but little notice, making it difficult for the salvage appliances to get through the streets. Our Splendid Police “At the same time, I should like to express my appreciation of the wonderful services of the metropolitan and city police. I am always filled with admiration for these gallant men, who daily risk their lives in traffic management, which to my mind is better than that of any other city in the world. I have at all times received the greatest courtesy from the police, as I have from the officers and men of the London fire brigade.” The three biggest fires Colonel Fox has known were that in Wood Street, where he acted as a volunteer in the London brigade before he joined the salvage corps; that in Cripplegate, about two years after his appointment; and that in Queen Victoria Street, in which a number of persons employed in celluloid decorations lost their lives. “I have always been,” ne said, “a deadly enemy of celluloid, and I am still of opinion that it should be neither manufactured, stored, nor sold. The manufacture of children’s toys with this material is to my mind especially dangerous. Children get near the lire with these toys, and without realising their inflammable nature, they may be burned to death. Ladies, too, should be cautioned about the selection of combs for the hair. At one tire I found combs made of celluloid arranged on cards”, and labelled 'Real Horn.’ ** Forgotten Cigarette End “What,” Colonel Fox was asked, “is the chief cause of fires in London ?” “Want of care and want of cash, he replied. “For a long time Incendiary fires caused us serious trouble, hut recently a gang of men wore caught, and sentenced by the Recorder of London to long terms of imprisonment. This to a great extent has reduced this form of crime. “'With regard to T int of care, many big fires have been caused by such small acts as throwing down matches and leaving lighted cigarette ends on the table, and forgetting that they will continue to burn perhaps long after the smoker has left the building.” Colonel Fox is chairman of the Professional Fire Brigades’ Association, and president of its widow's’ and orphans’ fund, and vice-president of the National Fire Brigades’ Association. These offices will occupy much of his lime in the future, “and I shall still. Perhaps.” he added, “when I hear the fire bells going, sit up and take notice.’

Costly Quarters for Stock.—At a cost of £ 6,000, and able to accommodate 50 head of cattle at a time, a quarantine station for pedigree stock, destined for overseas, will most probably be built in the neighbourhood of the East India Dock, London. Stock are to be kept in the station for 14 to 21 days.