FIRE ON STEAMER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIII, Issue 9787, 1 February 1923, Page 5

FIRE ON STEAMER.

CARGO IN DANGER.

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day

The Canadian Government .steamer j Canadian Pioneer arrived .from Napier l last night, .and berthed ,at Queens Wharf. The cargo was worked for four hours, and then everything appeared safe. This morning, ' however, the sailors removed the Hatches at V.dO , and smoke issued from No. 2 hatch. Though the fumes from the burning cargo made the task difficult two gangs \ , of waterside workers shifted 40 to 5U ' tons ..before they were compelled to • cease; ! Two of their. number were very . sick owing to the fumes. It is believed the fire worked from the coal bunkers on 1 through the bulkhead, and into j No 2 hold on the starboard side at the bottom of the vessel. There was also signs of a fire in the ' bunkers. .■ Two hoses were connected with the ; bunkers and two with the hold from the wharf. A fire-float on the star- j board side is pouring in 15,000 gallons of water hourly, and a big Dennis pump, worked by the fire brigade, in addition is numping in 36.000 gallons hourly. At 10 o'clock smoke was still issuing, but it appeared that the fire was being kept under. No. 2 hold contains wool, flax, casein, and possibly tallow, loaded at southern ports, including the Bluff, Lyttelton, Wellington, and Napier, consigned to New York, Boston, and Halifax. Later. By mid-day the fire in the'bunkers was extinguished, and the shin is now safe. It is understood the vessel is insured by the owners under their own scheme. The cargo is insured by the various firms with different companies.