Unidentified newsclip, possibly from The Argus, 1^st March 1901

The New Fire Escape — On Friday the fire escape, recently purchased by the Urban Council arrived, and the first drill was taken part in by Firemen George Bayes, J. Sparrow, H. Seckington, and Staniland, under the conductorship of Secretary G. R. Turner. The escape, which was supplied by Messrs. Shand, Mason and Co. is a light lattice girder escape, of Oregon wood, and with three sections extended, reaches to a height of forty feet. The sliding ladders are raised and lowered, by means of steel wire, rollers passing over suitable pulleys attached to the lower end at the back of the main ladder, the necessary handles being provided for accelerating this process. The main ladder is seventeen feet high, and the escape is provided with the independent head supports obviating the necessity of placing it against a burning building, this enabling firemen to bring a stream of water to bear upon flames from any height, and with very little risk of danger. The materials used are the best of its kind, and in order to avoid any unnecessary weakening of the woodwork, the rungs are not passed through the sides, but screwed to front. A jumping sheet is also provided, the escape being attached to a light hand carriage, with which the windlass arrangement is connected.