Shanghai, Mar. 2. ALTHOUGH there was w decrease of 122 fire and special emer~ gency calls in 1940 as compared to 1939, the total being given as 991, losses at fires which the Shanghai Fire Brigade attended within the Settlement and the Special Rated Area were estimated at $8,095,992—an increase of $3,068,694 on the previous year, according to the annual report of S.F.B, Chief Officer. This figure is second largest in ten years, In 1937, due to the Sino-Japanese hostilities here, the total loss was given as $11,685,720.
There were'47 deaths recorded at fires and special emergency calls, all these among civilians, while 205 of them were injured. Injuries to Brigade staff numbered 76.
These figures compared favourably with 1939, for they showed reductions of 36 in deaths, 104 in injuries to civilians and*sixteen to the Brigade staff.
There was no perceptible improve: ment in conditions in the arcos Doyond the western boundary of the Seltlement, where the Brigaide sti Taeks contro! over buildings and. in= dustrial operations. for the indiseriminate erection of industrial premises. squatters' huts and other buildings of bamboo, light timber and similar combustible materials, without sultable fire stops or protective measures. continued, and the Brigade attended less than 65 fires in the district during the year. The special precautions taken to, cope with the serlfous fire hazard remained in force, with certain improvements and closer Supervision, and it is undoubtedly due fo the measures taken that the fires in these areas were on the whole less extensive than the majority in 1999,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.