NAPIER THEATRE FIRE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 332, 20 June 1911, Page 5

NAPIER THEATRE FIRE.

THE CORONIAL ENQUIRY. By Telegraph.—Press Association, . Napier, Last Night.' A coronial inquiry was held to-day into the circumstances attending the fire on June (J by which the Gaiety Theatre, used also as a motor garage, was completely destroyed. The jury found that the lire was caused by the ignition of fumes of benzine while filling the tank of a motor-car, but that there was no evidence to show the cause of such ignition; that the theatre was used as a motor by day and during the evening as a kinematographic place of entertainment; that approximately five or six cases of benzine were stored in close .proximity to the theatre; that the building was .unsuitable as a place of public amusement by reason of the materials of which it was composed, it being unsatisfactorily constructed with regard to exits and most unsatisfactory as a place of public amusement, owing to its being used as a motor garage. The jury added the following rider; That it be a recommendation to the Borough Council that in view of the possible outbreaks of fire in future such steps 'he immediately taken as will ensure the safety of the public before licenses are issued for places of public amusement.