A Bad Scare for Hangchow:
Timorous Fire Brigade The munitions damp of the headquarters of the Chekiang Defence Forces in Slang. ow, situated apposite the West Lake Bund Re creation centre, exploded on Augu: 22, says the Hangchow correspon ent of the *Sirunpac." quersion consisted ich al the defence force's munitions were stored. Soldiers were on guard at the time, Due to the alleged care-Tessness of one of these men, the windows of the buildings were kept closed, and over heat ceased the explosion, which occurred at 11 p.m on August 22.
When it took place. the whole city shook. The peerie inside the Great World Amusement Resort became alarmed and there was stampede for safety. Guests of the various hotels wore awakened from their sleep and left the buildings.
The fire brigade (: he report #298) were not brave enough to risk their ives in approaching the and troops lost no ith the fire and see were no anteward oozeurrences.
Emergency martial law was forced and guards were posted at all important approaches. A hydrant was connected with the West Lake and the fire was sup. pressed after two hours of hard work.
The entire row of buildings were destroyed and about 100,000 rounds of ammunition exploded, while losses are estimated at around $100,000. No fatalities were reported, but one soldier who attempted to exeape by jumping over a wall fell and injured his leg, An inquiry is being conducted and afcanwhile orders have been issued for the removal of the remaining ammunition to some place of safety.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.