GREAT FIRE AT DOCKS

Cromwell Argus, Volume L, Issue 2646, 27 October 1919, Page 7

GREAT FIRE AT DOCKS

DISASTER, AT LIVERPOOL. Many steamers were recently in danger of destruction by the worst dockside lire Liverpool has known in all its history, but ai! were got safely away except one, an American, which had to lie scuttled. The lire, once quite half a. mile long, broke out at the West Alexandra Dock, Rootle, and damage estimated at a £I,GCO.COO was done to the sheds, merchandise, and plant. At the quay there were a very large number of barrels of turpentine along with, other merchandise, and the outbreak apparently had its origin amongst some ot these Darrels. The lire look a linn hold immediately, and within a very short lime the shells in nearly two sections of the buildings were involved. The road-way became impassable, and the blazing oil ran right across, leaving only ruin in its train. At the time there was a strong ebb tide, and the blazing oil was carried swiftly down stream some considerable distance, giving the appearance from the other aide of the river as .if the whole of the dock wall was a. mass oi flame. At one period the lire had assumed such dimensions that a bridge on one side of the section of sheds involved was threatened. It was almost impossible to cross it, but the work of the firemen in' this direction was successful. In the shed where the lir.o started one of the Liverpool Brigade's petrol motor machines was installed, but so quickly did the flames spread that it was impossible to get it out again, and it was destroyed. One of Rootlets, firemen bad a miraculous escape from the same building, his comrades having to break through the centre of .1 door to release him from the furnace within. He was badly smoked and singed, and was removed to hospital. Nearly all the ships lying alongside _the quav were removed, but the American Norlecna, of 4.596 gross tonnage, which had a cargo of timber and oil. was not so fortunate, and seemed to be wedged in. Although it was found possible to move her a little way from the dock side, she seemed to get the full force of the (lame, and was quickly alight. Fart of a shod wall nearest the dock side dropped partly on this vessel and partly in the water, and the blazing debris added to the difficulties of those aboard. At this part of the quay it was impossible for some considerable time tor a man to stand, and the firemen were compelled to do the best they could from many yards outside the huge section of sheds involved. The crew were thus ci mpolled to abandon ship. As the fire aboard her gained headway there was a frequent succession of minor explosions when the flames reached the barrels of liquid stored in her hold and hurst them. 'The ship had her sea cocks opened and sunk as far as possible in the flock. The Cottemore, of the Johnstone Lino, was caught by the flames as she was*being moved, but before any serious da marc was done the fire was extinguished. Round about tiro sheds there was considerable destruction. A large stock of coal was well alight, while in various stacks, of timber flames were continually ’breaking out. The office, a wooden struct’ of Messrs Furness. Withy, adjacent the burning shed, was completely gnl and amongst the more valuable art: destroyed. apart from merchandise, were several travelling cranes belonging to tbc Dock Board and other property. The tire was visible for miles around, as the great banks of dense black smoke drilled -lowly towards the east, and on the Wul-la.-"v” side thousands of people assembled to watch the flames.