OUTBREAK OF FIRE ON S.S BELLBIRD.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 March 1917, Page 3

OUTBREAK OF FIRE ON S.S BELLBIRD.

THE Helensville Fire Brigade was called out at 6 a.m. on Sunday morning last, when a fire was found to have broken out on board the s.s Bellbird, which was lying alonside the Railway Wharf. The vessel was loaded with the usual consignment of merchandise for up-river ports, also a quantity of benzine, and was ready to leave on the Sunday afternoon. By the prompt action of the Brigade, the fire was soon got under control, but not before the upper structure and decking had been totally destroyed. Part of the cargo was slightly damaged by water as well as by the fire, which was surmised to have originated in the engine room. •There was only one person sleeping aboard at the time, and he did not awaken until the fire had got well under way. It is unfortunate that such a mishap should have occured, as it is only a few months ago" since the vessel underwent a thorough overhauling and had had her upper structure completely reconstructed, .

The Fire Brigade are to be congratulated on the good work they did, for had the fire spread to the deck cargo of -benzine there is no knowing where the conflagration would have ended, as the s.s Aotea was moored alongside, and both she and the wharf, etc., would undoubtedly have been demolished.