FIRE ON THE-STEAMER MATATUA.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14600, 26 February 1913, Page 6

FIRE ON THE-STEAMER MATATUA.

CONSIDERABLE I)AMAGF. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM. ) TIMAIU', February 'Jo. At 1.-iO tints morning a firo ivas discovered to have broken out in Xo. ~> hod l of the s.s. Matatua, which arrived in port yesterday. The ship's fire apparatus was soon fixed in position*, ami all the ventilators and air passages were blocked immediately the alarm was given, thus preventing a further conflagration. The cargo is conipcsrd of hemp, and the cause of the outbreak'is as yet unknown. The main-deck'in the proximity ol' the hutch was very much heated liefoie the extinguisher got to work. The firo was got under before noon., Tim hatches were taken off and the captain of the steamer and two firemen went into the hold.- Soon after tho air got into the hold the bales of (tax burst, into flame, but water was poured on them,- and the smoking bales were hoisted on to the wharf, where water was poured on them. By the united efforts of water, 'chemicals, and steam, the fire was got under, and a serious conflagration averted. As tho flax was shipped from Auckland, nothing is- known here of tho insurances or the shippers. The damage is estimated at £.000 to .€IO,OOO. The vessel herself is thought to have niftfrod a little. A general average will be struck, and possibly the flax will be auctioned here. Tho work of fully unloading Xo. 5 hold is proceeding;