Debate

The Star, 30 December, 1982

There was extensive debate about the possibility of an electrical fault or a carelessly discarded match or cigarette causing the fire.

The commission found it impossible, in view of the expert evidence, to determine whether an electrical fault was the cause of the fire with any degree of certainty. It also found there was no evidence to support any suggestion that the fire may have originated from cigarette smoking.

The findings of the commission resulted in a general overhaul of statutory fire safeguards in New Zealand.

The commission eventually recommended:

• That the Standards Institute's Means of Egress Code be made compulsory throughout New Zealand.
• The immediate installation of fire prevention devices and alarms in large buildings.
• That evacuation drills be made compulsory.
• That the New Zealand Standards Institute be given facilities to complete its Fire Prevention Bylaw and that it be made to apply throughout New Zealand within three months of its coming into force.
• That the Fire Brigade be instituted as one service throughout New Zealand and be brought under the control of commissioners.
• The commission recommended a scheme of instruction, examination, classification, and promotion be Instituted for firemen and officers and that a superannuation scheme be set up for members of brigades and their salaries adjusted.

But the most important result was the general heightening of fire consciousness in New Zealand.

The commission found that there did not exist either in the lay mind or the professional mind in New Zealand generally, an adequate knowledge and understanding of fire precaution principles.