A serious fire broke out on the South Manchurian Railway Ca. s str. Kobe Maru early on Saturday morning, which will delay the vessel's sailing for some time. The steamer was lying at the company s Yangtszepoo wharf prior to departing for Tairen on Saturday afternoon, and the first warning of the fire was given by the Hongkew be!! tower at ten minutes past two. This report stated that a glare was visible in the direction of Yangtszepoo, and upon the general alarm being given, the Fire Brigade, charge of Chief-Officer Pett, were soon proceeding down The Bund. As they neared the wharf, the glare could be distinctly seea, and Mr. Pett ordered out the fire float. The fire was located when the brigade arrived at Chinwangtao Road, ind the Kobe Maru was then in flames. Practically the whole part of the vessel forward of the funnel was involved, and it was evident that the fire had been raging for some time. The saloon was on fire from end to end, and the flames had found their way up the saloon companion way and to the main deck.
The fire then swept to the best deck, the Captain's quarters and the chart room, and the flames being fanned with a stiff breeze, matters looked extremely serious. The Attings on the decks became involved, and the work of the brigade was rendered difficult by the intense heat.
Firemen Handicapped by Smoke.
Streams were laid from hydrants in Yangtezepoo Road, and the Mih-ho-loong motor pump got to work from the wharf side, and quickly had four lines of hose checking the fire above the deck. Meanwhile, "he horse ines bad arrived, the Hongkew engine getting its supply from the river, and the Deluge engine from s hydrant at the back of the wharf.
The fire above the deck was 3090 under control, but the chief difficulty lay in subduing the flames l2- low. They were spreading along the corridors leading past the cabins and the engine room, and cabins on the main deck were also on fire. Lines of hose were laid along the corridors, and a hard fight #n-sued for about half-an-hour, the firemen being severely handicapped on account of the dense volumes of smoke. The flames were fought from each side of the ship, and about this time a further difficulty rove. Owing to the large amount of water—at one time there were ten jete going—the Kobe Maru be gan to take a heavy list to star-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.