Fire on the Tarawera.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7004, 18 October 1906, Page 3

Fire on the Tarawera.

A PASSENGER'S ACCOUNT.

Auckland, Oot 18

There was rather a serious outbreak of freinthe Tarawera on the voyage from Gisborne. Mr Bligh, a passenger, states that ha was awakened shortly before midnight by the steward coming to his cabin end telling him to dress as there had been '.n outbreak of fire j and be perceived an odour, as of chemicals buying. Mr Bligh i conpied a deck cabin, and as he stepped out he saw dense smoke rising from the hatches, the saloon companion, and apparently every opening from below. Other passengers also were coming on deck. Some of the crew were engaged in swinging th boats out, ready for lowering, and others were combating the fire, the situation of which appeared to be under the saloon, about amidships. A hatch had been lifted, and hoses pointed below, while, in spite of dense smoke, men descended. What struck Mr Bligh forcibly was the entire absence of anything approaching panic or extreme nervousness on the part of the passengers, though there was a fair proportion of women and children od board. The situation to a landsman's eye appeared grave. The ship had been stopped to avoid an increase in draught, and even the officers regarded the position as very serious indeed; but the fire was evertually suppressed. It is understood that the cargo was considerably damaged.

LaTEB, STATEMENT BY OFFICERS.-

The Tarawera's officers state that about two hundred tons of cargo have been affected, all in the after-hatch. The fire was extinguished by a hand-grenade and hosp, pumping five feet of water into th hold. The origin of the fire is a mystery. The hull is undamaged, and the deck only slightly damaged.