FIRE FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 August 1938, Page 7

FIRE FIGHTING

(To the Editor.) Sir, —As one who is interested in a large building in this town and as an interested spectator at yesterday’s fire at the corner of Cole Street and Pownall Street,.. the writer would like explained per medium of your paper the following questions:— (1) Is it the law that the fire truck when proceeding to a fire must not exiceed 30 m.p.h. in a “built-up” area. (2) Why was the Cole Street hydrant used in this case, requiring about 400 ft. or 500 ft. of hose when about 100 ft. from Pownall Street hydrant would have been sufficient? (Every minute counts). (3) Why was the hose used from the side of the truck that made efficient working impossible? What was wrong with the hose in the other box? (4) Who w T as at fault when the first lead was run out with insufficient hose coupled, water turned on, then turned off and further hose added? Why the apparent and unnecessary delay? (5) Why was a garden hose used and abandoned for buckets of water and then a small Fire Board hose brought into commission? (6) Is it correct that 12 minutes lapsed between the arrival of the fire truck and, the first water played on the fire from a regulation hose? (7) Why was one man apparently doing all the work while the others were just standing around? (8) Has any member of the Fire Brigade other than appointed officers, authority to give another member definite orders? If some responsible person connected with the Masterton Fire Board would be good enough to explain the above, the writer will be able to rest more peacefully these cold nights.—Yours etc., WORRIED. Masterton, August 5. When the contents of the above letter were submitted to the chairman of the Fire Board, Mr Trevor Beetham, he said that he would not comment on anonymous correspondence. If any person had a specific complaint to make, he added, the matter could be taken up with the board. The following letter from Mr H. Pavitt at whose residence the fire occurred on Thursday, addressed to the Superintendent < of the Brigade, was made available by the secretary of the board: “I have to thank you and your men very much indeed for the prompt manner • in which your brigade attended the fire at my residence after our telephone call; also for the good save made, and for keeping the house proper and furniture free from all damage. I should like you and your men to accept a small cheque in token of my best thanks.”