A serious fire broke out in the Maloo at 9.30 p.m. yesterday. The outbreak started in the upper floor of the Ch'a-ki-ti hong, a large general store, next door but one from the Wahshing Ca. By the time the first company—the Deluge—arrived upon the scene the flames were blazing high into the air and afforded a beautiful spectacle to those coming up the road. The inflammable nature of the contents fed the flames merrily and ere @ second stream was put on by* the Mih-ho-loong a house in an alleyway opposite had caught. The building was seen to be doomed and the brigade therefore, wisely, concentrated their efforts upon saving the surrounding property and this, in spite of the smoke and heat and the difficulty of getting at the back, they succeeded in doing. The houses on each side and at the back were only slightly damaged by fire and water. It was an hour before the first company could leave.
Shortly after the fire started an intoxicated foreigner who had no connection with the brigade started scamperi over the roofs with the result that he sustained a terrible fall. When picked up blood was pouring -ont of a dreadful gash on the head. The wound was wash-and dressed by the firemen and the injured man was then sent off to hospital.
The damaged property is believed to be fully covered by insurance.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.