HC Deb 22 November 1917 vol 99 cc1402-3W
Mr. SUTTON

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to a fire which occurred at the Delaunays Road Hospital of the Manchester Guardians, at Crumpsall, on Saturday, 10th November; whether he is aware that fifteen of the inmates were burnt to death; is he aware that these women were housed in a wooden annexe of the institution; that within fifteen or twenty minutes the whole building was a mass of flames in spite of gallantry displayed by the nurses and staff who assisted in the work of rescue; and whether he will cause a Government inquiry into the whole matter, and make recommendations with a view to preventing in future any wooden buildings being used for the housing of human beings?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

I learnt with very deep regret of the disastrous fire at the Crumpsall Institution, and immediately instructed the general inspector for the district to visit the institution and attend the inquest. I am calling for reports as to the use of any temporary buildings of this nature in Poor-law institutions, with a view to securing that adequate precautions are taken against risk of fire.