FIRE ENQUIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1916, Page 7

FIRE ENQUIRY.

CORONER'S VERDICT. ORIGINATED IN THEATRE ROYAL. An enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the fire which resulted jn the destruction of the Theatre Royal ■block in Devon Street, three weeks ago, was held at the Courthouse yesterday, before Mr. A. Crooke, coroner. The proceedings were instituted by the New Plymouth Fire Board, which was represented by Superintendent F. C. Bellringer. Mr. A. A. Bennett (Roy and Nicholson) appeared on behalf of the Taranaki Amusements, Ltd., owners of the Theatre' Royal.

Garnett H. Saunders, manager of Taranaki Amusements, Ltd., said that on the night of July 21 a picture entertainment had been given in the Theatre, the principal item on the programme being a film entitled "The Martyrdom of Nurse Cavell." Tlie electrical current was established in the building in the usual manner. The current for producdueing the pictures was supplied by the Borough and was received into the operating cabinet. It was then carried to the motor generator situated below the operating box. The leads then ran back from the dynamo to the switchboard. As received from the Borough powerhouse the current was 220 volts A.C., and this wai reduced by transmission from the generator to tho switchboard to 70 volts D.C. The motors were set on a solid concrete block, on a concrete floor; the operating room walls were of wood, the ceiling being of iron. Access to the motor was gain«d direct from the main building. It was not a fireproof building. The whole electric installation was passed by the Borough officials. Tho building was licensed by the Council. Considerable repairs were effected almost a year ago, and the building was in a good condition at the time of the fire. The insurances on the building totalled £ISOO, but there was no insurance on the plant. Valued building at £3500, and plant about £OOO to £7OO. Considered company's loss by the fire was nearly £3OOO. 'On the night of the fire the only people who had a right to be in the building were Harvey, the operator, W. Inch, the caretaker, and a man named J. Seed, the caretaker, who was sleeping on the premises. Operator's duties, after the entertainment were to inspect the generator and see that every thing was in order, and then cut off the current and lock up the operating box. The caretaker had to go through the theatre, see that all doors were secured, and that everything was safe. There was no friction of any sort jetween witness and his employees. The only previous fire was a small one that occurred in the operating chamber, about 2| years ago, during a performance. 2000 feet of film being burned. This did not occur in the cabinet last used, which was a more fireproof one. lie could offer no opinion as to the origin of the fire. Had no grounds for thinking that the production of the film, 1 "Martyrydom of Nurse Cavell," had anything to do with the fire breaking out The film was completely destroyed, By' Mr. Bennett: Had no notice that the license had expired. The license was issued by the Borough Inspector, who collected the fee.

Henry Wnh Frederick Nipnert, painter. New Plymouth, deposed that on the night of the fire he was sleeping at the Grand Central. Retired about 10.IIS p.m. His room was No. 41, looking out over Devon street. Was wakened by liis brother, Herman; who said that there was a fire. Did not know the time then. His brother told him to go to the telephone to give the alarm. Jumped out of bed, opened the window, and got out on the verandah roof in Devon street, to see where the fire was. Got into room again, and remarked to his brother that it was ten minutes to 2. Ran downstairs, jumped over into the office, and started ringing' up. Could not get an answer from the exchange for quite a long time. Then noticed the switch above the 'phone and it occurred to him that he was switched off. Altered the switch, and after rinsing twice received an answer, "Yes." Witness then said, ''Ring up the brigade that there is a fire at the Theatre Royal." Heard a sound through the telephone as though someone said "F.h?" in quite a loud tone. Just before leaving the telephone he heard the town clock strike 2. Left the office, and went upstairs to wake his mother. Witness commenced dressing and then hoard the firebell rilis. First reply he received over the telephone was just before two o'clock. Could not say who answered. While witness was in the office ho could hear people moving about upstairs, but was not aware that any one came down stairs. From when Ik. first saw the fire until the time the bells rang lie estimated that quarter of an hour had elapsed. He was perhaps seven or eight minutes at the telephone before he discovered that, the switch was, oil'. Was not familiar with the switch in use at the Urand Central telephone. The. fire appeared io witness to be right under the tlieatre building, and flames were issuing, on the Kgmont street side, at a lower level than the Devon street footpath. At that time the fire did not appear to be of any magnitude. Did not notice anyone in the street in the vicinity of the theatre.

By Sir. Bennett: The flame* seemed to come cut from under that portion of the building recently occupied liy the State Fire Insurance Department.

Herman diaries lidward Xippert, painter, who was stonping at the llrand Central, and occupied room No. 41, was the next witness, and stated lie, retired just a minute or two after his brother. Was aroused by the sound of falling glass; did not know the time. Did not get up immediately, as he thought the noise .was caused by someone Lreaking into Hart's shop, immediately below his room. Shortly after, he heard another crash, and detected a flicker above the window blind. Got up, raised the blind, put un the window, and saw a fire near the theatre. Woke his brother, and then went into reading room and watched the fire for a few minutes before dressing. When he first saw it flames were coining from under the State Fire Insurance 'oi'ilding, and just licking the footpath in Devon street. At that time he thought the brigade would have a good chance, of extinguishing the lire before muck damage was done. Could not say wl i ther the flames were confined to the State Fire building 01 njcre coming from under the theatre. Was not present at the pictures that night.

Reginald Horsup, telephone -ixfuaiige clerk, -New 'Plymouth, deposed that lie was on duty on the morning of July 22. The.first call he received that morning was at K minutes past 2, from the White Hart hotel, when the night porter asked him to ring, up the. brigade, say-

ing "the place is all afire." Hang up the fire station immediately, got a reply,, ami bells rang ivhile witness was speaking. Saw 1.0 flames, only a voiume .of smoke over Devon street. There was indication on the shutter board that the Police''Station liad called' the-exchange.

Was out of tlie room at that time, for a minute or two.

Gerald Nanghton. police constable, stated that he was on duty on the morn"ng of the fire. Met liightwafehman H. Inch about J. 40 a.m. at Solo's corner in Devon '.treat. Came down the street together, on the theatre side, looking into several shops as they passed, paying particular attention to Allan's butcher shop. Whilo there a man named Sims passed upon the other side. Proceeded towards tho theatre, and witness and Inch stopped right outside the door of the State Fire Insurance office for a couple of minutes. This would be between 15 and 10 minutes to 2. There was absolutely 110 sign of fire then. As the theatre had a wooden door and had no glass in front it was impossible to see a fire in tho building until it actually broke out. Had a clear view of the side of the building. Walked to post office corner, reaching there a< 1.55 a.m. Witness left Inch and went police-station, and while signing the record book, heard the post office clock strike 2. Walked back to the post office and saw Inch coming across. Glanced down Devon street, and saw smoke issuing from the theatre. Ran to the station, reaching there about 2.5. Rang up the e\«hange for about five minutes, but did not receive a reply. Hurried back to the corner and asked' Inch if anyone had really got the brigade, and he replied •'Not as far as I know." Witness hurried up Devon street to go to the bell, but had not proceeded far before the bell rang. This 'would be about 12 or 13 minutes past 2. The front of the theatre at this time was all on fire, the body' of it appearing to be over the main entrance. There was a great vo'mue of smoke, leading him to think that the fii'e had been burning for some time, and that the building had contained its own smoke until it broke through. Could not tell where the fire started. At 2.5 there was no sign of flame, only smoke. Fire engine arrived about two minutes after the bell rang, Returned to the fire, and as the hose was being run out heard the town clock strike 2,15. 'From where witness and Inch were standing outside the State Fire Insurance office could see under the basement and had there been any fire there then they must have noticed it, either by sight or smell. By the Coroner: Had the fire started under the State Fire Insurance office it would have come out straight away. His opinion was that the fire originated somewhere in the theatre and had been burning for some time.

John Swanson, linotype expert, Daily News office, deposed that on the morning of the fire, lie passed ,the main entrance of the post oflice exactly at 2 o'clock, having passed the theatre about a minute previously. There was no sign of fire neither smell, smoke, nor flame —at that time. Went upstairs to the telegraph department, when his attention was directed to something unusual by the fluctuation in the electric lights. This would be about 2.5 a.m. He looked from the telegraph office window, at about 2.7 a.m., and saw dense smoke and flame coming from apparently the roof of the theatre.

Fred M. Doughty, custodian of the central Fire Brigade station, said lie received a telephone message from the White Hart Hotel about 2.11 a.m. The message was to the effect that the White Hart Hotel was on fire. Witness rang the alarm hell to wake the men; also the foreman's residence, and Gibson's garage. By the time he got into the station the men were all ready to go to the (ire. Drove the men to the theatre, which was all ablaze. The extent of the fire was such that the brigade could not use the plug immediately in front of the building. The first lead of water was playing on the (lames at about 2.1;). By Mr. Bennett: The (ire had such a hold that it was impossible for him to say where it had originated. When the brigade arrived the buildings on the other side of the street had caught. •lTonry 1-1. Ford, saddler, New Plymouth, said he was a member of the Fire Brigade, and was on duty at the fire. Accompanied the motor to the scene. The whole of the theatre front was then a mass of (lames, which were going right across the street. Witness formed the opinion that it originated in the theatre, near the front —probably under the dress circle. There was a hoarding leaning against the State Fire Office. Saw it was no use attempting to save the theatre, and directed attention to the buildings on tile opposite side of the street. Removed the hoarding for use as a shield to the men. Had the fire occurred under the State Fire Office he could, not have got the hoarding.

Ry Mr. Bennett: The fire was restricted to the theatre when witness arrived, but it could be seen that 'efforts to save thi> adjacent buildings would be futile, if the other side of Devon Street was to be saved, and as foreman of the division in that street he had to'concentrate. hj.i attention on them. At this s,tage Mr. D. ITutchen, instructed by ilr. Quilliam. appeared for the liorough Council.

Hegiiimd Day, building superintendent and sanitary inspector to the. Borough Council, stated that one of his duties is to examine and report on public Luild-ing-s. Took up his position on February •2, l!)lii. Knew the Theatre Eoyal, which appeared on the Council's books' as a place of public amusement. Had never reported on tile building, but had looked carefully through it. Noticed nothing that warranted drawing the Council's attention to defects, except with regard to the lighting. Considered the place a lit one for public entertainment. lt,was not licensed on July 21. The license was not held over on account of any danger fmn lire in the building.

i!y Mr. Bennett: Witness wanted an auxiliary light put in the building, in ea.se tiie electric light failed.

The Coroner here intimated that he di',l not think it necessary to call iiiCre witnesses as to where the fire originated; he was satisfied that it had bioken out in the theatre. The weight of' the evidence was certainly in that direction.

Arthur John Harvey, biograph operator nt the Theatre Royal, detailed his duties s>fter the entertainment terminated, each evening, the construction of the cabinet, etc. Witness left the theatre about 10.7 p.m.. and everything was then in perfect order. Went straight home and did not go back; did not know of Hie lire until late next'morning. Could assign no cause whatever for St.

Vfhyman E. Inch, caretaker at the theatre, said that his duties were to look after the building and see that everything was safe. Was ip the theatre on the evening of July 21. After the show he thoroughly inspected the place, visiting the dress circle last. He left the theatre at exactly 1U.59 p.m., and everything apparently safe. • He had nq idea whatever as to. (he cause of the. lire, Never had any trouble with people "oing in after performances. Albert August Keener, contractor, of Wellington, stated that he had a eontract ior the erection of a new building for the A.M.!'.

tSched to the Theatre Royal. A good portion had been demolished at the time of the fire. With the exception of the .ceiling the portion used as the 'State Fire Office had been removed. The whole place, when he left on the evening of the 21st, had been thoroughly soaked by the rain that fell that day. This concluded the evidence.

The Coroner said that there was a discrepancy in the evidence of some witnesses as to the time of the outbreak. Against the evidence of the Xipperts, who stated that the fire was burning at 10 minutes to i, there was the evidence of Constable Naughton and Mr Swanson. The discrepancy in the time could be understood by the fact that the Xipperts were suddenly awakened from sleep, and their recollection was confused. He must take the evidence, as to the time, of those witnesses who were in the street. As to where it broke out, the evidence all went io show that it originated in the Theatre Royal. Had it broken out under the State Fire Office it would have been earlier perceived. As to the origin of the fire there was not a tittle of evidence, and he could only find a formal verdict that the Theatre Royal block was destroyed on July '22 by a fire which originated in the Theatre Hoyal, but there was no evidence to show how.