FIRE ON WINGATUI

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 30 September 1936, Page 2

FIRE ON WINGATUI

VESSEL REACHES NAPIER. Per Press Association. HASTINGS, Sept. 29. The outbreak of fire either in portion of her cargo of lime in No. 3 hold or in the coal in her bunkers caused the Union Steam Ship Company’s 2378ton freighter Wingatui, en route from Dunedin to Auckland, to put into Napier, where she arrived about 8 o’clock this evening. Because the tide was at its ebb, she was unable to berth at the breakwater, but she is to do so at about 1 o’clock to-morrow morning, when an immediate start will be made to unload portion of her cargo, so that the origin of the outbreak, which is of a smouldering nature, may be investigated. Immediately on the vessel’s arrival off the breakwater to-night, harbour officials and the manager of the Napier branch of the company, Mr H. V. Bell, went out to the ship in a launch, and on their return it was learned that the origin of the trouble had not been definitely located. It seemed that it had occurred either in No. 3, where slaked lime is stored, or in one of the coal bunkers, but definite investigations could not be carried out until the vessel was berthed and portion of her cargo was unloaded. This will be commenced at 10 o’clock to-morrow morning, and in the meantime the Napier Fire Brigade is in readiness to give assistance should its services be required. When the vessel arrived off the breakwater, there was no sign of smoke or flames to be seen, which was probably somewhat of a disappointment to some 400 interested onlookers to the proceedings.

FIRE EXTINGUISHED. Per Press Association. • NAPIER, Sept. 30. The Wingatni berthed at the breakwater at 1 o’clock this morning and watersiders immediatelv set to work in moving the cargo from the No. 3 hold in order to get at the seat of the outbreak of the fire. Extinguishers were used, but it was not necessary to employ hoses, and the outbreak was quelled after about three hours. The damage was confined to a charred bulkhead between the hold and the bunker, a few packages of general cargo, and a small quantity of lime. Nothing is known as to the cause of thfi trouble. The vessel is expected to sail at noon for Auckland. The position was never serious.