News Story
Hundreds of mourners turned out to this morning's Requiem Mass for long-time firefighter John ("Griff") Griffiths. He had served for more than 40 years in the Auckland Brigade, rising to the rank of Divisional Officer. John was known for his banter... and understatement. Today the story was told that when John was a junior he was put on report by the officer inspecting staff bedrooms. John's bed was found unmade. John admitted the charge adding the quip "...because I was still asleep, occupying said bed"! John was one of three firefighters who received a bravery citation following an explosion and blaze in a chemical tank at Westhaven in 1971. Chief Fire Officer, Lloyd Wilson, reported at the time that "Griffiths and the two others advanced a foam branch to the top of the 10m high tank, climbing what remained of the exterior staircase, thus enabling direct application of foam to the fire inside the tank. There is no doubt in my mind that this determined action, at a stage when there was every likelihood of further explosion of adjacent chemical tanks was in the highest traditions of the fire service..."
