Recovery of 39 Bodies - Search to continue.

The Press, Nov 20, 1947. p.6.

Searchers amongst the rubble and twisted wreckage of Ballantyne’s building yesterday recovered the charred remains of another 11 victims of the disastrous fire on Tuesday afternoon. The total number of bodies recovered is 39, bringing the death-roll to 40, as a young woman died in hospital on Tuesday night from injuries she received when she jumped from a third-storey window.

Forty-one persons are listed as missing, and of these 19 are definite. The other cases are unchecked.

The building was not considered safe for searchers yesterday morning, and a conference of engineers decided that part of the building fronting Colombo street should be demolished. After demolition work was finished the search continued until dark.

A large body of soldiers, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel F. L. Davies, did most of the clearing and searching work yesterday, and they were kept on the job until midnight. They worked in relays on the strongroom, entry to which was forced during the afternoon. The strongroom door was buckled, and a hydraulic jack was used to force an entry. Records and machines were in good condition, but the heat caused a small outbreak of fire, and some papers were charred. Water was played on the strongroom and last night the contents had been removed by the soldiers.

At one time it was thought that there might be some persons who had taken refuge in the strongroom, but no bodies were found.

Few firemen were on duty at the building yesterday afternoon and last evening, but the brigade did not receive it's well-earned rest, as engines had to be sent to three calls. Soldiers manned hoses and played water on the smouldering ruins while City Council and Public Works Department employees cleared away the rubble so that the police could continue their search.

Sixty soldiers today will cooperate with the police in a thorough search of the building in an endeavour to find all the bodies so that an inquest can be held.

Tramway Board workmen were busy replacing overhead wires last evening, and street lights were burning on the east side of Colombo street. The City Engineer (Mr E. Somers) said yesterday that it might be possible for trams to run through Colombo street today.

Throughout the day large crowds assembled at all the cordons. Even when there was heavy rain last night, and when there was little that could be seen except the rays of search lights, the crowds stayed in the streets.

The Minister or Labour (Mr A. McLagin) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr S. A. Holland) made a special air journey to Christchurch yesterday. They visited the morgue and saw bodies of victims and attended a conference with representatives of the firm, Government departments and the City Council.