There were several serious outbreaks during the month, the follow. ing being more particularly worthy of note:—
October 3rd. al 3.30 a.m. S.
Kian (1460 tons)—Flour and general cargo were well al No. 2 hold of the 8.8, Kian, anchored opposite Nantao Wharf, and the Nantao Brigade were at work when the Customs and Brigade Floats arrived. The fire was located in the lower hold against the forward bulkhead and it was necessary to remove a considerable quantity, of the cargo in order to direct jets to the blaze. This was extremely difficult on account of the heat and dense smoke and gas masks had to be used continuously. The bulkhead between the affected hold and cut through the bulkhead and a jet directed through the opening to the seat of the outbreak. After several hours' strenuous work, the fire was brought completely under control and the ship was then' moved to! a wharf at Nantao, being taken on the following day to Pootung, where a detachment of the Brigade remained in attendance until the greater part of the.cargo was removed.
October 10th. at 35 pin. Z 14 Miller Road (Vuleanizing Shop). This fire, which originated in a store containing large quantities of old motor tyres and vulcanizing materials, at the corner of -Miller and Woochang Roads, proved to be the Brigade has] with for many months, Call, to which seven' machines from Hongkew and Cen-ions responded, given, Winen the frst machines three premises were found to bea mass of flame on the ground and upper floors—with the fire spreading rapidly to adjoining premises on both sides—and a call for assistance was promptly given. The flames were so fierce that they spread across Miller and Woochang Reads, a distance of approximately 50 and 40 feet respectively setting fire' to the doors and windows of shops on the opposite corners, and For. tome time it appeared that. the outbreak would spread through a very congested and inflammable block of shops and dwellings; the combined Divisions, however, Succeeded in mastering it after hard fight lasting about an hour.
Five premises were severely damaged, four others suffered slightly, find the doors and windows of four shops en. the opposite side of the road wre affected, three ofoers sustained slight October 20th. at 12.36 pam, 406
Honan Road—This outbreak started in the upper rear portion of pre mises used as a fan and gerah shop near the corner of Nanking and Honan Roads and, aided by the flimsy construction of this and the adjoining buildings, as well as a considerable number of unauthoriz~ ed additions, such as the covering over of back yards, etc., the fire quickly assumed serious proportions and threatened the whole of a very extensive and valuable block, Cen val Division were handicapped. the difficulty they experienced in tackling the rear of the outbreak through the affected and neighbour-riy. premises being walled-in; after ttle mere than an hour's work, however, they extinguished the fire, the upper portions of the fan shop and a silver shop adjoining being October 22nd, at 2.34 am. X. 2
Tehang Road.—An outbreak amongst a large quantity of cotton in the scutching room, which formed part of the ground floor of the 3- storeyed Sung Sing Cotton Mil, had xained a very extensive hold when the first machines from Sinta Station arrived, it being evident that it had been alight for some consider able time before the Brigade was called, and while every precaution was being taken to prevent the fur~ ther spread of the fire, un assist= tance call was sent in, three machineg from Bubbling Well responding.
The flames had spread authorized bamboo and matshed seulfolding, erected on the outside of the building for the support of sun huds, and spread along this struc ture to the windows of the upper floors on the west where, coupled with the dense smoke given oft from the fire in the scutching room, they caused a very serious panic amongst several hundred females employed on the first and second floors, the mill authorities having failed to give the order for them to coote work, The frightened employees rushed to. the exits, which, however, they found barred and bolted with the exception of ona fon each floor, with the result that there was considerable congestion and overloading, and they became trapped on the landing. Immediate stops were taken to rescue the help less victims and a call was sent in the meantime for the emergency ambulances and rescue van. Of eleven people conveyed to hospital, six were eertfied dead, the remain: ing five being severely injured.
This unfortunate incident serves as an illustration of the indifference shown by the owners of certain mills and other industrial. buildings towards the very grave necessity for the maintenance of adequate means of escape for their employees, Emergency Ambulance Service Ninety-three calls were received dur. ing the month.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.