A huge blaze behind the M.B.K. Wharves in Pootung was plainly visible from many points in downtown Shanghai last night, although the exact location of the fire could not be confirmed.
The blaze was first noticed at about 6 p.m. when flames were seen leaping high into the air, causing a bright red glow to appear in the sky over a large area. Burning furiously for several hours the conflagration was eventually brought under control by about 9 p.m.
The Harbour Fire Brigade float, Poochi, proceeded to the scene of the outbreak but returned after a short while. the fire being situated off the waterfront. Calls were also received by the Yangtszepoo and Hongkew Brigades, but after turning out two engines, it was discovered that the fire was in Pootung and these returned to the station.
The amount of damage caused by the fire could not be ascertained last night and reports received from some quarters suggested that guerillas, who have been active of late and have set fire to property in Pootung, had attacked further property which they had fired as in former attacks.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.