By Mike Funston of The Free Press
The $1-million fire at Central Chevrolet Oldsmobile (London) Ltd. Thursday wasn’t the only thing worrying firemen and police – crowds of curious spectators trying to get a glimpse of the action had to be forced back continually.
The crowds in the immediate are seemed oblivious to the dangers of being so close to such a large blaze, police and fire officials said.
At times, onlookers ignored explosions and flying debris, especially along Fullarton Street, where the fire burned its way to underground gas and electricity lines.
“We were getting explosions all along Fullarton, and the main problem was getting the people out of there,” said Sgt. Peter Carberry, who was supervising policemen at the scene.
When asked to leave by police, the spectators inched back reluctantly.
“They’d do it slowly, move 10 yards and then come back five,” Sgt. Carberry said.
About 12 officers worked in the area trying to control traffic and crowds at the peak of the fire around 2 p.m. Two hours later, when the blaze had been brought under control and the temperature had dropped, making viewing uncomfortable, crowds began to dissipate.
Deputy Fire Chief Earl Fenwick agreed the worst problem was on Fullarton, where he saw a youth on a bicycle pass within a few feet of a manhole that had exploded minutes earlier.
“A PUC man yelled at him but the fellow didn’t pay any attention to him,” the deputy chief said.
A few minutes later, smoke and flames were belching from the manhole again.
Deputy Chief Fenwick said, however, that firefighters’ efforts weren’t hampered by the throng.
Sgt. Carberry agreed but said “it does cause headaches” for police.
Deputy Chief Fenwick added: “There’s always a problem with crowds at a fire of that magnitude. It’s natural enough to want to see what’s going on.”
