FIRE ON LAUNCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 39, 15 February 1934, Page 9

FIRE ON LAUNCH.

BATTLE BY TWO MEN. BOTH SUSTAIN INJURIES. EXCITEMENT AT WAKKWORTH (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WARK WORTH, this day. The cruising launeli Valona caught firo at the local wharf about nine o'clock last evening while Messrs. L. Moore and J. Derecourt, jun., -were siphoning benzine into the tank with a hose from a 44-gallon <lrum on the wharf. Mr. Moor© was holding an electric lead, which was supplying light from the engine room when the bulb broke, and the sparks ignited the petrol. The burning petrol spread from the cockpit to the wharf, where Mr. Derecourt attempted to put it out by closing the petrol drum, but his clothes caught fire and he had to roll in the grass to extinguish the flames. Mr. Moore's clothing was also alight, so he jumped overboard and swam to a bargo to which a line from the launch was secured. He then swam back to the launch and almost had the fire out when the flames from the wharf caught the launch again. Mr. Derecourt, who is employed by Rodney Motors, Ltd., went to a garage for a fire extinguisher. When he returned the launch was. drifting down stream, and Mr. Moore was still battling with the flames. The latter got the fire under before serious damage was done to the launch apart from despoiling some of the woodwork. Meanwhile some men had successfully coped with the fire on the wharf. Mr. Moore was burnt on the head and face, while Mr. Derecourt sustained burns on the head and one of his legs. After receiving medical attention both men went to their homes.