FIRE ON MATATUA

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 48, 25 February 1913, Page 5

FIRE ON MATATUA

AMONG AUCKLAND CARGO. OUTBREAK EXTINGUISHED. DAMAGE £10,000. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TIMAEU, this day. At 11.40 this morning fire was discovered in Xu. 5 hold of the s.s. Matatua, which arrived in port yesterday. The ship's fire apparatus was soon fixed in position, and all the ventilators and air passages were blocked immediately the alarm was given, thus preventing further conflagration.

The cargo is composed of hemp, and the cause of the outbreak is as yet unknown.

The main deck in the proximity of the hatch was very much heated before the extinguisher got to work. The (ire is still smouldering, and smoke and steam are ascending.

LATER DETAILS

TI.MARU, this day. The fire was got under before noon. The hatches were taken off, and the captain of the steamer and two firemen went into the hold. Soon after the air got into the hold bales of flax burst into flames, but water was poured in on them, and the smoking bales were hoisted on to the wharf, where water was also poured on them. By the united efforts of water, chemicals, and steam the fire was got under, and serious consequences were averted. As the flax was shipped in Auckland, nothing is known here of the insurances or the shippers. The damage is estimated at £SOOO to £10,000. The vessel herself is thought to have suffered a little. A general average will be struck, and possibly the flax auctioned here. The work of "fully unloadiua No. 5 hold is proceeding.