THE FIRE MENACE

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 1, 16 January 1952, Page 1

THE FIRE MENACE

Taupo has been extremely fortunate this summer that there have •been no serious fires, such as have devastated thousands of acres of valuable timber here in the past. Supt. M. Clark, of the Taupo Fire Brigade, states that over the holiday .period, when fire hazards are at their worst, the brigade has had only one call. This was a fire at the rubbish dump on the Spa Road, which was brought under fjontrol after two hours of fighting by crews of both trucks of the brigade. The fire was potentially dangerous because of the strong west wind and the thick undergrowth, hampering efforts of firemen to extinguish the blaze. iSupt. Clark urges local residents and visitors to Taupo to continue the care they have been exercising, and which has prevented any major fire so far this summer. He reminded new residents, in case of fire, to call telephone number 9, at Gillies' : garage, where the fire siren is | located. After midnight, when the j telephone exchange is closed, there is a direct line stil open to Gillies for emergency fire calls. There is also a button at the fire station, behind Ricket's Hall, which sounds *a fire siren when pressed. This red • button is placed on the front of the j station and is indicated by a red | ligbt.