The Fire Brigade had a good of severe work to do on Thursday the intense cold made their dul no means pleasant. Three of the fires proved to be serious, involving the destruction of a large number of houses, and in some instances a ess of life.
The first fire was at 4.07 am. when by placing some wood next to a fireplace at No. 33 Durpoe Ri flames broke out which reached a bed. The outbreak.was fortunately extinguished by the inmate before the firemen arrived.
Hongkew responded to this Inst! call and had hardly got back to the station when they were on their way much more serious matter among some dwellings, shops and a lumber yard near the junction of North Chekiang and Haining Roads. The fire had obtained a good hold Lefore it was reported, and when the Division arrived a number of small dwelling houses situated on an alleyway were in flames, and the fire was going strong amongst a quantity of timber stored against, the houses. Matters looked exceedingly serious for some time, and at the outset Hongkew were handicapped by one of their pumps having Just broken down. This was remedied by a pump being sent from Central. The large silk filature to the West—The Yung Foong Sing jmuill—which was on fire two or three years ago towered above the flames, /and quick work had to be put in to. get jets up through the building. Lines were got through on the south side and after a good fight for about an hour the small conflagration was. held in every direction. Whilst the men were at work later some persons were reported missing, and after search and digging down in the debris of No. 620 Haining Road, four bodies were found—two women, one girl, and one boy. 'The fire is supposed to have started in this building, caused by the occupier of lamp. Eight very small dwellings were destroyed and two damaged and the lumber' yard was damaged in portions. The silk filature "was saved practically undamaged as likewise were the shops off Chekiang Road. Assistant Station Officer Pinel was, working on a roof and slipped-on account of ice, dropping 16 feet, He carried on but was suffering from shock.
At 1026 a fire-was reported off Avenue Edward VII. Central responded and the upper portions of Some shops on.the Concession side were found to be alight. This was being-dealt with by. the French Brigade.
'Just prior fo this Sinza were turned~ out to a fire which' was thought to be on Tonquin Rond; confined to where it was found. One man was slightly burnt about. the head.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.