What might have developed into a major catastrophe was dealt with in quick time by the Fire Brigade yesterday morning when fire broke out in a flimsily contructed building, at the intersection of Avenue Edward brought three turn-tables into action allowing scores of horrified residents to reach safety. It is believed one or two of the lodgers jumped short distances from the ladders and that a cat was killed in a long leap.
The building involved is known as the former Chartered Stock and Produce Exchange, House 4, Lane 128 Avenue Edward VII, at the west side of Szechuen Road. These premises include 120 Avenue Edward VII. It is estimated that about 800 Chinese of the poorer classes were living in the building when the fire started, at 830 am. It is considered almost miraculous that there was not a single casualty either among the stampeding tenants or among the firefighters.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.