Ballantynes' Fire 18 November 1947

A DigitalNZ Story by Donna Robertson

The fire at the Ballantynes Department store in Christchurch on 18 November 1947 was the worst fire in New Zealand’s history. Forty-one people died and the resulting Royal Commission recommended urgent changes to the building regulations and fire prevention and firefighting throughout the country. http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Heritage/Digitised/BallantynesFire/

ballantyne, ballantynes, fire, 18 November 1947, fires, disaster, Christchurch, department store

Image: Ballantynes fire, Christchurch

Ballantynes fire, Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ballantyne's department store fire, Christchurch

Ballantyne's department store fire, Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ballantyne's Department Store on fire, Christchurch

Ballantyne's Department Store on fire, Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Fire and fire brigade at Ballantyne's department store, Christchurch

Fire and fire brigade at Ballantyne's department store, Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Rescuing Mr K. Ballantyne from the burning building on Colombo Street, Christchurch

Rescuing Mr K. Ballantyne from the burning building on Colombo Street, Christchurch

Christchurch City Libraries

Image: Firemen dampening down Ballantyne's building, Christchurch

Firemen dampening down Ballantyne's building, Christchurch

Christchurch City Libraries

Image: View, from a distance, of the Ballantyne's department store fire, Christchurch

View, from a distance, of the Ballantyne's department store fire, Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Firemen dampening down the main entrance of Ballantyne's, Colombo Street, Christchurch

Firemen dampening down the main entrance of Ballantyne's, Colombo Street, Christchurch

Christchurch City Libraries

Image: View of still smoking Ballantyne's building from the corner of Cashel and Colombo Streets, Christchurch

View of still smoking Ballantyne's building from the corner of Cashel and Colombo Streets, Christchurch

Christchurch City Libraries

Image: Weigel, William George, 1890-1980: Wall of Ballantyne's department store being demolished after the 1947 fire

Weigel, William George, 1890-1980: Wall of Ballantyne's department store being demolished after the 1947 fire

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Workers in the burnt wreckage of Ballantyne's department store, trying to make an entrance to the basement

Workers in the burnt wreckage of Ballantyne's department store, trying to make an entrance to the basement

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Trucks with wreaths in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, during the funeral service for victims of the Ballantyne's Department Store fire,

Trucks with wreaths in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, during the funeral service for victims of the Ballantyne's Department Store fire,

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Funeral for the victims of the Ballantyne's Department Store fire, Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch

Funeral for the victims of the Ballantyne's Department Store fire, Ruru Lawn Cemetery, Christchurch

Alexander Turnbull Library

Research paper

"The Ballantynes Department Store Fire Disaster" Christchurch, 18 November 1947

University of Canterbury Library

Image: Christchurch Fire (1947)

Christchurch Fire (1947)

Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga

Image: Spring Flames

Spring Flames

NZ On Screen