TERRIBLE FIRE AT SEA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1189, 11 December 1924, Page 5

TERRIBLE FIRE AT SEA.

WILD RUSH FOR THE BOATS. CAPETOWN, Dec. 9. Further details of the burning of tlie steamer Giggle, 55 miles from Mauritius, show that ihere were 57 persons aboard. The cargo of 1500 eases of motor spirit cuught fire, and a Chinese passenger was blown into the rigging' with his clothes liblaze., Before help could reach him ho was burned to death. Panic followed, and there was a wild rush to the boats. Women died of fright. Two full boats abandoned the sliip, leavings Rio captain, officers and fainting women passengers on tho blazing vessel. After hours of torturing work the French sailors subdued the flames, but the ship began to .sink. The boats then returned and u timber rafi was constructed before the wliiji sank. Twenty-three were drowned. Two old Roman Catholic priests who were offered seats in the heats refused, saying; “We have no families.” One was subsequently rescued after many hours' buffeting on a raft six feet square. Tho boats eventually leached Reunion.—A. and N.Z. cable.