FIRE IN SHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 9

FIRE IN SHIP.

CARGO DAMAGED.

grim race for port.

decks growing hotter.

VESSEL NOT AFFECTED.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, this day

The Union coastal steamer Opihi, from Dunedin, via Timaru and Oarnaru, with £ cargo for Wellington, Nelson and New rirmouth, reached Lyttelton at seven o'clock this morning with her cargo afire. Smoke was seen at 1 a.m. when the ehip was off Akaroa light. Full steam was put on, and the vessel raced for Lyttelton, the decks getting hotter all the time and the smoke increasing. When the ship arrived the hatch covers were removed and heavy black smoke issued. The Lyttelton Fire Brigade and a tug immediately set to work pumping water and got the fire under control, but much damage was done to the cargo, which consists of furniture, bran, pollard and flour. The ship was not damaged. From statements made by members of the crew, it is evident the Opihi's race to port was an exciting one. The master resolved to reach Lyttelton before the flames could eat a way through the hatch coverings. A'- times, the heat growing more intense, the situation seemed precarious. Immediately on the ship's arrival, the tuc came alongside, and after a considerable effort by the brigade, the outbreak was discovered in the after-end of the hold. By noon most of the cargo there had been removed and. the outbreak suppressed. It is believed the fire originated in a case of furniture loaded at Dunedin. The work of discharge was carried out bv firemen and watersiders, basketful after basketful of a sticky mixture of flour and pollard being lifted out and dumped on the railway trucks. Most of the sacks were so 'badly charred that thev would net hold the contents. Tnis work was carried on for four hours, amidst a cloud of smoke and flour.