RUSH TO ANTI-CLIMAX

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1940, Page 6

RUSH TO ANTI-CLIMAX

FIREMEN TO THE RESCUE Ding-dong, ting-a-ling! went the bells (or whatever it is that makes a din in the New 'Plymouth fire station when a street alarm box is broken). "All hands to the wheel!" cried the deputy-superintendent (or whatever it is he shouts on such occasions). Down the slippery poles slithered the firemen as they did up their shoe laces, put on their helmets and adjusted their tunics. And even before the station siren began to shriek the big engine was dashing along Powderham Street in full cry. Behind it sped every vehicle the station possessed and a procession of taxis loaded with fire fighters. "What a big fire!" said sensation seekers last night as they ran into the street to see the full force of the brigade disappear up Dawson Street towards Standish Hill. The alarm box at the corner of Tukapa Street and Omata Road had been broken, so in accordance with the rules the brigade sent everything it had. It might be a serious fire in a house. While Mr. T. Bates, Westown, was driving his sedan car along Tukapa Street flames burst from the hand-brake, which was apparently too tight after recent attention. Stopping the car, the driver dashed to the alarm box and then into a neighbouring house for a bucket of water. Then the brigade arrived. The fire was out.