The Sun Herald 8 November 1953 1.5 Million Pounds Damage By Fires. Safety Plea By Fire Chief Fires caused 1.5 Million pounds damage in the Sydney metropolitan area this year. Fire brigades and insurance officials, agreeing on this estimate said yesterday it was a conservative one. Brigades averaged 30 fire calls every 24 hours in Sydney and suburbs. Carelessness The chief officer of the New South Wales Fire Brigades, Mr. E J. Griffiths said; "Many serious fires are due to sheer carelessness and neglect. Hundreds Lose Jobs Some of the big fires in Sydney this year were:- March 12: Bird Bros., Alexandria, tallow and fertiliser manufacturers, damage 100,000 pounds. March 31: Gillespie Bros., Pyrmont flour mill damage 30,000 pounds. April 31: Pyrmont timber yard destroyed, damage 100,000 pounds. July 17: City Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Redfern, cardboard box factory, damage 20,000 pounds. September 24: Populare Metal Stamping Co. Pty Ltd., Forest Lodge, artificial jewellery factory, damage 50,000 pounds. October 21: Woolworths' store and warehouse Ash Street, city, damage 150,000 pounds. November 2: McKenna and Armistead Pty. Ltd., Mascot, excavation contractors, fire and explosion, damage 40,000 pounds.