A devastating fire broke out in the basement of Ballantynes department store in Christchurch on November 18, 1947, claiming the lives of 41 people. Despite the chaos, hundreds of shoppers and 500 employees remained oblivious to the danger, with some even waiting for a visit from Miss New Zealand Mary Wootton.
Ablaze
A devastating fire broke out in the basement of Christchurch's Ballantynes department store in November 1947, but the 500 employees remained at their posts as shoppers mingled in the showrooms, socialized, or indulged in tea and cakes in the cafe.
