The increase in the number of fires in establishments manufacturing celluloid articles, such as handbags, combs, lamp shades, spectacle frames, toys, etc., caused considerable apprehension.
Almost without exception this hazardous trade is conducted in Chi-rose dwelling houses or other equally unsuitable premises, with total disregard of the seriousness of the fire hazard and without consideration for the safety of the works engaged in the industry or of those living in the vicinity. The sole means of egress for the occüpants of the premises is usually threatened, as most buildings of the Chinese dwelling-house type heve only one staircase and the rapidity with which a fire spreads when celluloid or the highly inflammable materials used in the trade, suh as solvents, become ignited almest invariably results in the staircase becoming quickly involved, rendering escape impossible.
The enterprises are usually small and consequently difficulty is experienced in detecting them. In many cases they are discovered as a result of complaints by neighbours and steps are immediately taken to effect their removal to more suitable premises or to compel the owners either to cease operations or carry out improvements to reduce the fire hazard and provide the workers and other inmates with some protection and means of escape in the event of fire. In this connection valuable assistance. has been rendered by the Industrial Section.
With the ce-operation of importers, greater facilities are being afforded the Brigade to enable a check to be kept on the distribution of celluloid with a view to locating small establishments and thus controlling operations and storages.
During the year there were no less than twenty fires in celluloid factories, and these resulted in the death of twenty-three persons and injury to forty others, Apart from fires, the Brigade was called upon to deal with 120 Special Emergency Calls. While the majority of these related to the collapse of buildings, gas leaks, explosions and the removal of dangerous masonry. signboards, etc., they included such unusual jobs as the removal of an insane person from the top of an electric light standard, the watering of buffaloes suffering from extreme heat, ete.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.