Another serious godown fire in the French Concession occurred in the early hours of Thursday. About 4.48 a.m, fire was seen to have broken out in No. 18 China Merchants' Godown on the west side of the Quai de France, and both the French and the International Settlement brigades received an immediate call. The fire was also observed from the Central bell tower, a sheet of flame lighting up the sky. The French Brigade under the command of M. Chapeaux laid on from the Quai de France and Quai des Ramparts, and appeared. to have another difficult task before them, the godown being situated aniongst a number of other godowns and about half way between the two roads. Most of the _merchandise in storage was of a highly inflammable nature, there being a large quantity of hemp and tallow as well as general merchandise. Chief Officer Pett was early on the scene and immediately sent back a call for a section of Central Di sion, which got to work quickly on the wharf side and added three powerful jets to those of the French brigade. No. 18 godown burned fiercely, and the flames spread to No. 19, the two being separated only by a narrow alleyway, and shortly afterwards the flames attacked No. 20 godown. which is on the Quai des Ratiparts and rans parallel with No. 19.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.