FIRE ON THE JANUS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 60, 8 September 1914, Page 2

FIRE ON THE JANUS

■ ■ .^ SERIOUS DAMAGE. Fnrther details of the fire on the steamer Janus, whilst en route from Calcutta to Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, have come to hand. It appears that the fire was discovered in No. 2 hold at about 11.30 p.m. on the 27th August, when the steamer was bound from Fremantle to Adelaide. As the cargo consisted of Indian produce, including tea, jute, and fibre, all of which are of a highly inflammable nature, Captain M'Donald, who is in charge, headed full steam for Albany. As she entered the_ harbour the steamer was enveloped in smoke, and the fire soon spread to the bunkers and No. 1 hatch. Launches with pumps on board and the Albany firemen immediately got to work, but it was not until Sunday, 30th August, that the fire was got under control. Before this was 'done tlie sea-cocks had been opened and 20ft of water had run into the vessel. The cargo in tho two after holds was not damaged, but all the rest is stated to be utterly destroyed by either fire or water. At the time of the outbreak the vessel had nine passengers on board, and these werelanded at Albany. The coolies on board became so alarmed when the fire spread that they collected their belongings and boarded the launches. Altogether 97 were landed and removed to tho quarantine station. Included in the Janus's cargo was a quantity consigned to New Zealand.