Port Moresby Fire Loss

THE temporary structure which housed the Government Secretary’s office and Central Administration at Konedobu, Port Moresby (an ex-ANGAU building of con crete, timber, maHhoidr corrugated iron, thatched roof of grass) was completely de stroyed by fire shortly after 1.30 p.m. on Saturday, February 12. The staff was ab sent when the fire started in the eastern end of the general office, and in a few minutes the tinder-dry thatched roof was ablaze from end to end. Some files, re cords and furniture were saved before the roof collapsed but generally great de struction was done to records and en ormous confusion thereby caused.

The fire brigade arrived promptly but (as in the case of the PCB copra shed a few weeks ago) control was impossible and activity was devoted to preventing com

plete destruction of the smouldering: re cords, and saving the adjoining Educa tion Department.