INDRADEVI FIRE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 4, 5 July 1910, Page 9

INDRADEVI FIRE.

HOW WAS IT CAUSED?

AUCKLAND, 4th July. The enquiry into_ the fire that broke out on the Tyser liner Indradevi at the Queen-street wharf on 22nd June was continued to-day. Charles Frederick Nelling, chief officer, stated that the contents of the paint locker included boiled, raw, fish, and engine oils, in tanks. If the tanks were full the oil was liable to spill with the ship rolling in rough weather. Witness examined the locker two or three tinies a day, and the only oil that escaped was two or three gallons of raw oil, which was immediately baled up. It was a common occurrence for oil to be upset in the paint !ocker by means other than spilling in rough weather. Ernest Edward Madge, second officer, stated that when the Indradevi berthed at Auckland he was in charge of the two after hatches, and superintended the discharging on the day preceding the fire. At no time during the day or night did he see men smoking in the hold. The opinion he formed was that the fire was due to spontaneous combustion, but he could not say what cargo was responsible. The combustion must have occurred in the charcoal insulation, as it was quite burnt out, leaving the iron plate quite visible. Leonard Stopford Acheson, third officer, stated that when he came in contact with the fumes from the fire He concluded the outbreak was among the charcoal in the insulation. The enquiry was adjourned till tomorrow.