FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 992, 6 December 1910, Page 4

FIRES.

A MOTOR-LAUNCH AFLAME. PETROL VAPOUR AGAIN. Tho danger of manipulating petrol neaf a naked flame was demonstrated last evening, when, at. about .9.15 p.m., Mr. Horace Smith's now motor-launch (built by Lane, of I'icton, n few weeks ago) caught fire. The launch, which had been out on the harbour for a spin, had-.been tied up to the Ferry Wharf to enable the reservoir to be recharged with petrol. This operation was being performed ■by light of., a naked-llame lamp, when, suddenly, it caught a breath of,the yapour given off by the spirit, and in an instant the engine was a mass of -ftanics, which very quickly filled the cabin in which it was located. Those on board Rot away ' as quickly as possible, and a telephone message was sent to the fire brigade, which answered promptly to the call.- A single lead was run out, and a few seconds' play extinguished vthe flames. It is not anticipated that very much damage has been done to the engine, hut the cabin will require to bo refitted.' GOIISE FIRE. AVith the approach of the dry season cave requires to bo exercised in the handling of matches or fire of any kind in i the "vicinity of gorsc or. dry grass.: A patch of srorse and grass at the rear of the residence of Mr. Charles Scott, of 9G 'Wellington Terrace, was discovered to be on fire between 10 and 11 a.m: yesterday, and the brigade had to bo summoned to subdue the flames, which at one time threatened , to become dansorous to property. ..■'■