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JOURNAL OF THE AUCKLAND FIRE BRIGADES MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY Inc. Est. 2010

Patron Murray Binning (FENZ) Management Superintendent: Terry Hewitt (FENZ) Deputy Superintendent: (FENZ Liaison) Denis O’Donoghue (FENZ) Secretary/Editor: Colin Prince Treasurer: Kevin Farley

Committee Graeme Booth (Laingholm) Peter (Sprats) Doughty Grant Manning Forbes Neil Tony (Scottie) Scott (AIAL) John (High-rise) Walker Gary (GT) Walker

FENZ Ex Officio Member: Fire Region Manager Kerry Gregory

Correspondence To: Above address membership@afbhs.co.nz Website: www.afbhs.co.nz Like us on Facebook

Ponsonby stations and appliances 1884-1889 “Ponsonby” — hand reel station, on the northwest corner of the Ponsonby Hall site, south side of Ponsonby (later Jervois) Road and east of King (later Redmond) Street, where the Police patrol base carpark now is.

The site had been bought by the Government in 1879 from the Ponsonby Hall Co. Ltd. The hall, built about 1874 on the eastern part of the site, remained in use till at least 1909. Superintendent Hughes (Auckland Fire Brigade) recommended the site both before and on 8.11.1882. The City 1.

Council obtained permission to build the fire station in 1884, and it was operated there for five years, until the Government decided to build a Police Station on the corner. The building was moved by the City Council to No. 13 St Marys Road in 1889.

2. 1886-1902 “Karangahape” — hand reel station, adjacent to the Ponsonby Reservoir, on the north side of Karangahape Road, near Hereford Street. The site was recommended by Superintendent Hughes both prior to, and on 1.12.1883, and the building was

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St Mary’s Road in the late 70’s

Western Districts (Ponsonby) station. Early 1930’s

erected before 1.11.1886. This station was In 1923 the station was closed, the appliance and staff being closed when the new Central Station in transferred to the new Western District Station (see (8) below).

Pitt Street was opened in 1902.

5. c.1890-1913 3. 1889-1902 “Arch Hill” — hand reel station — built by the Arch Hill Road “Ponsonby” — hand reel station — Board on the south side of Great North Road, just east of King same building (and bell tower) as in (1) Street, where Tilton, Opie, Pattinsons’ funeral parlour now is. above, relocated by the City Council to After Arch Hill Road District was amalgamated with Auckland No. 13 St Marys Road, because the City in October 1912, the Auckland Fire Board took over control as Government required the original fire from March 1913 and operated the brigade until station site for a Police Station. This 30.9.1913, when the brigade was disbanded and the auxiliary building was replaced, by a larger brick firemen were dismissed. station on the site, about 1902 (see (7) The Fire Board considered that the area could be adequately below). served by motor appliances from Central Station, and the cost of paying auxiliaries at Arch Hill was no longer warranted.

4. 1889-1923 “Newton” later “Grey Lynn” station, 6. c.1900-1916 sometimes described as “Rose Road”.

“Richmond”, “Richmond Branch” or “Richmond Avenue” — In 1889, the Newton Borough Council hand reel station — built by Grey Lynn Borough Council fronting erected a brick building to house its Richmond Avenue (i.e. Richmond Road, west of Cox’s Creek), Council Chambers, offices and a fire somewhere in the present West Lynn Shopping Centre. The station, on a triangular island at the Auckland intersection of Williamson Avenue, Rose Fire Board took over control of the brigade on Road and Pollen Street. In 1901, the 10.9.1914, and closed it down once Grey Lynn Station received Borough was renamed Grey Lynn. The fire its motor appliance and permanent staff in mid-1916. station, as built, housed a hand reel.

7. c.1902-1923 After Grey Lynn Borough was “Ponsonby” — 13 St Marys Road, built by the Auckland City amalgamated with Auckland City in 1914, Council to accommodate permanent staff, a horsedrawn reel, and the Auckland Fire Board rented the horses, this station was taken over by the Auckland Fire Board on building from the City Council as from its formation in 1908. The 1899 bell tower was retained.

10.9.1914, and operated the volunteer The single horse reel, apparently stationed there from 1902 brigade. The Board proceeded to convert on, was replaced by a two horse reel (a four wheel wagon) in the council chambers and offices to fire 1906. station living and sleeping quarters, and In 1909 the wagon and horses were replaced by a 1906 Arielfinally bought the building for $1,000 on Simplex hose and ladder tender ex Central Station. In 1913 this 27.3.1917. went to Parnell and was replaced by a 1909 Thor- nycroft hose By mid 1916, a Daimler hose tender and ladder tender. This in turn was replaced by a 1914 Kissel Kar was based at Grey Lynn. Staff included in April 1919, but then returned in mid-1920 fitted with a 30 gallon five permanent firemen, plus auxiliary Soda Acid extinguisher and hose reel. firemen who slept on station at night.

with a 900 gpm Leyland Cub-motored skid-mounted pump. The horse ladder was stationed in a Wharf Shed.

On 20.8.1942, a new Ford V8 pump appliance arrived for use by the permanent staff. The two Halley Simonis appliances were both retained for a while, then one was sent elsewhere. They were swapped over on occasion during 1943, until one finally left and had its pump removed. The other lingered on till 1953 as a spare appliance in the number 2 bay, painted wartime grey long after the war was over.

During the war a number of Colmoco trailer pumps were stationed at Western District and in surrounding EFS billets Grey Lynn in the 1970’s and garages.

The Ford V8 continued on in service Permanent staff numbered three, and auxiliary firemen also till 1955 when it was sold to the turned out at nights and when otherwise available.

Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The station was closed in 1923, and the appliance and staff In December 1949, this appliance transferred to the Western District Station, (see (8) below). had featured in a tragic accident at the intersection of Victoria Street West and 8. 1923-1978 Franklin Road, where Albert Clarke and “Western District” (later “Ponsonby”)south west corner of George Oliver lost their lives.

Ponsonby Road and Lincoln Street. This was a two bay brick In 1955 a Dennis F8 appliance (No. station, with six sets of quarters for married staff, built in 1922-23 16) replaced the Ford, and early in 1956 to replace the “Ponsonby” and “Grey Lynn” stations. It was opened on 17.9.1923. the 1912 Simonis/Ford V8 turn table The economics of having one station instead of two had ladder (No. 17) arrived ex Central, to been raised by the New Zealand Inspector of Fire Brigades as remain as a relief ladder for about 15 early as months.

7.6.1914. In his 1916, 1917, 1920 and 1921 reports, he favoured a The Dennis was followed by Karrier site on Ponsonby Road, near the top of Franklin Road. The Fire Gamecock No. 49 on 31.8.1960, by Board were discussing the proposal in 1919, and in 1920 Commer No. 17 on 4.7.1966, by recommended the Lincoln Street corner site.

International No. 33 on 29.12.1969, by The original staffing for the station was six permanent International No. 64 on 18.10.1972, by firemen, and six auxiliary firemen, manning two hose and ladder International No. 72 in 1975, and by tenders (Daimler and Thornycroft).

International No. 89 on 4.1.1978.

On 11.10.1927 a 1917 Kissel hose tender and the 1902 Two specialist appliances were Shand Mason/Magirus 65 foot extension ladder arrived ex stationed at Ponsonby in recent years — Central. On 18.10.1927 the Daimler was withdrawn and replaced the Leyland- Merryweather 100 foot TTL by a 1920 Dennis hose reel tender ex Central. The Thornycroft (No. 6) ex Parnell, from 3.11.1971-1977, went to Avondale on 5.6.1928, and was apparently soon replaced and the Bedford Canteen (No. 42) from by a 1913 Thornycroft from Parnell. The Dennis went to Remuera June to September 1978. on 9.5.1929 and a 1926 Halley Simonis hose reel tender, (ex Over the years other appliances had Central) became No. 1 appliance at Western District. The 1913 brief stays at Western District/Ponsonby Thornycroft went to Point Chevalier. while the regular vehicles were under Through the 1930s the Halley Simonis, the Kissel and the old repair. These reliefs included 1920 ladder remained at Western Dennis, 1926, 1928 and 1929 Halley District. In December 1939 the Halley was involved in a Simonis, 1942 Leyland, 1943 Fargo, 1947 spectacular collision at the corner of Victoria Street West and Ford V8, three different Dennis F8, six Franklin Road. different Karrier, two Commer and two After war broke out in 1939, Emergency Fire Service and International appliances.

Emergency Precautions Service Organisation staff were based at In September 1978 the Ponsonby Western District. The Kissel was sold and a 1937 Ford V8 truck Station was closed for demolition, one was housed on station at night to tow the horse ladder if flat being retained for watchroom and required. sleeping quarters while the new station On 27.12.1941, the Halley Simonis went to Mt Albert, and was under construction. was replaced by another two Halley Simonis tenders each fitted

9. 1979On 6.11.1979 the new three bay “Ponsonby” station was commissioned, and the last of the old flats was demolished so that the drill yard could be completed.* These notes were prepared during January and February 1980, utilizing extensive research carried out over the past 30 years by members of the Fire Section of the Museum of Transport and Technology of New Zealand (Incorporated).

Note: In 2016 a new station was built on the corner of Williamson Ave and Northland street. The old 3 bay station in Ponsonby Road was sold, and was being used as a Tesla car sales yard. The new station is called “Grey Lynn”

CAVANAGH’S MOTOR WORKS FIRE, 1937 One of the most spectacular fires in the history of Auckland destroyed the motor body building works of Cavanagh & Company Limited, engineers and coachbuilders, St. Martins Lane, City, at three o’clock this morning. The damage is estimated at least £15,000.

In addition to the building, valuable machinery and a number of motor vehicles in course of construction and repair, and about 25 kits of tools belonging to employees, were destroyed.

The kits were valued at amounts varying from £25 to £150.

The engineering works of Cavanagh & Co., which have been established about 15 years, cover an extensive block of land adjoining the First Church of Christ, Scientists, Symonds Street, with a further block at the rear facing St. Martins Lane. It was this rear block, and the office adjoining, that was destroyed. Of them this morning there remained only the concrete frame and a twisted heap of steel wreckage.

The building was already ablaze from end to end when the fire brigade was called at 3.01 a.m. A neighbour, who was awakened by the sound of an explosion, stated that when she looked out there was a glare of fire in the eastern

front portion of the building. As she looked, flames seemed to break out everywhere.

Four fire engines — two from the city, one from Parnell and one from Ponsonby — with 40 firemen, were on the scene within a few minutes, and by then the building was beyond saving.

Below the works, in Grafton Gully, was an occupied house, and in the first few minutes of the firemen’s efforts it appeared that it must surely catch fire. Flames were shooting from the windows of the factory over the roof, and it was in great danger. For 10 feverish minutes the firemen concentrated on this angle with the constant threat of a falling wall setting the house ablaze — and they won. For nearly an hour after, they continued the fight, but that first 10 minutes gave them the ascendancy.

The heat of the fire was so great when the brigade arrived that windows in the church and Cavanagh’s front building were breaking and two trucks standing in St. Martins Lane in front of the burning building were ablaze.

The whole area of the Grafton Gully was lit by the column of flame that rose 50ft. or more from the works, and residents for a distance about were awakened by the explosions of a number of drums of tempering oil that were in the building. The blaze of destruction to them was the most spectacular sight seen in the city in years. In the darkness of the night and across the depths of the gully, the building was outlined in an inferno of fire, to which the explosions, the crash of falling timbers as floors and roofing gave way, and the thrashing hiss of firemen’s jets added a bedlam of noise. Rain was beginning to fall, but fortunately the gusty wind of the later morning had not yet reached its height.

Otherwise, the fire would have been more difficult to control.

This morning, the scene was ragged and ugly. Sheet iron from the roof, burnt timber and twisted and already rusting metal of gutted motor vehicles and machinery piled the two floors.

Across a big Chevrolet truck had fallen the chassis of a heavy Diamond T truck from the floor above, both of them twisted by the heat of the fire. Desolation was added by the rain. The fire is not known how to have originated.

City Fire Sees First Full use of New Aerialscope Appliance

By Station Officer B. S. Jones Auckland

A third alarm fire in the City area on 28 December 1981 saw the first full use of Auckland Brigade s Mack Aerialscope and a close call for first-in crews.

In answer to multiple calls to the Sheraton Lounge, Mt. Eden Road at 2317 hours, a predetermined response of 3 pumps, Rescue Tender and Aerialscope found on arrival a building of 3 floors and basement, concrete block walls and iron roof construction about 33 x 25 metres with front entrance heavily smoke- logged and rear upper floors and roof heavily involved in fire.

City Pump mounted an immediate attack with high pressure deliveries, and together with the Rescue Tender crew, made breathing apparatus entry through the front entrance.

At 2342 hours the Hose Layer on request brought water from Basque Street and at the same time Mt. Roskill pump laid a long feeder from Normanby Road to supply fireground pumping appliances.

At this time an informative message from Fire Commander Woodward read: 'Building of three floors about 25 x 33 metres used as a reception lounge, totally involved in fire. Getting to work with multiple high pressure deliveries and low pressure deliveries. Water relay set up in Basque Street and Boston Road; Aerialscope, Turntable Ladder and assorted monitors in use.'

Control Room mobilisation at this time saw Otahuhu, Henderson and Birkenhead standing by at City Station, Avondale covering the Western Area and Howick at Remuera.

An assistance message brought a back-up response of a further three pumps, Rescue Tender and Command Unit.

At 0107 hours, fifty minutes after the first 111 call, a stop message was A second aerial appliance was also requested. transmitted and showed a total of six low pressure deliveries, two high pressure The first-in-crews had hardly penetrated when collapse of deliveries, three monitors from aerial the ceiling in the main hall occurred, together with rapid fire appliances, one ground monitor, B.A., spread through the area. two water relays, salvage operations being carried out and one fireman Senior Fireman S. Turek on the first-in high pressure delivery removed to hospital with burns. was knocked to the ground and lightly trapped. Being disorientated he actuated his distress unit and prevented serious The incident had involved at its burns to his body by operating the high pressure delivery over height a total of 18 appliances, 65 himself. His rescue was effected by fellow crew members pulling personnel and attendance of Police, the high pressure delivery out of the building, which he had Traffic and Ambulance departments, and managed to hold on to. He was removed to hospital suffering was finally cleared at 1905 hours the from burns to his back, shoulders and legs and was subfollowing day.* sequently unable to return to duty for 21 days.

The ceiling collapse also resulted in radiated heat exposure to a low pressure delivery crew at the rear of the building who because of their position on a fire-escape were unable to move and had to suffer the severe heat until the fire was controlled.

At 2329 hours a third alarm was transmitted by Fire Commander Woodward which brought a total of nine pumps plus Hose Layer, Canteen Unit, Breathing Apparatus Tender and Salvage Tender.

ÂŁ75,000 fire loss in City Dunlop tyre and rubber store raised

(September 28th 1949)In less than 20 minutes, a raging sea of flames swept With substantial fire showing from the upper two floors at the through a block of wartime buildings in rear, a twin monitor attack was mounted from the Aerialscope Halsey Street, Freeman’s Bay, last night with assistance from Balmoral pump crew who also established a and destroyed several thousand motorground monitor. car and cycle tyres owned by Dunlop Ample water supplies (Shaddock Street and Burleigh Street) New Zealand, Ltd, and building material belonging to the Maori Affairs allowed the Aerialscope monitors to knock the bulk of the fire in Department. The fire brigade was on the the roof area and attack the upper two involved floors. scene within a couple of minutes of receiving an alarm at about 7.10 p.m., but

found the premises completely enveloped in flames.

It made a good save of the Maori Community Centre, large stocks of timber in the yard of W.H. Whittaker and Co. Ltd, Harbour Board stores and a neighbouring house, all of which had been caught by the flames. Dunlop’s warehouse and the Maori Affairs Department store were burned to the ground.

No definite figures of the losses involved in the fire were available last night. However, it was estimated that, including the replacement value of the building, the total loss would approach £75,000.

There was no one in the building at the time of the outbreak.

While fireman were fighting the Halsey Street outbreak another call was received to the premises of Mercer’s Household Linens, in Karangahape Road, where a small amount of stock was burned. The fire was easily extinguished. •

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is the quarterly journal of the Auckland Fire Brigades Museum & Historical Society Inc. and is sent free to all members, the National Library and other Historical Societies in the Auckland area. Please feel free to pass it onto others that may find it of interest and encourage them to join the society.

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