FIRE ON A LAUNCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15261, 27 March 1913, Page 7

FIRE ON A LAUNCH.

'.■ : -' ! '»'.V | .. ; '"!»'C" . '"'—.. \" DAMAGE m. ENqiNEBOOM., Am outbreak of fire occurred on a launch at about : a-quarter past ten o'clock last j night* The large launch Turanga, belonging to Howick, and owned by Messrs. Clark and Bertram, was lying at the Bailway Wharf, and three men were engaged in,' effecting" repairs in the . engineroom when * candle dropped into some bilge water on which benzine was floating. The result was an immediate blaze, which quickly spread • over the engineroom, but with the aid'- of some sand, which • is kept handy for such emergencies, and two fireextinguishers the outbreak was temporarily subdued. ■■■■' When '■•• the fire started the' fire brigade was sent for,'and it was lucky this was done,' for .although two : motor engines were quickly on the scene the fire had by then .again broken out.' The . blaze, notwithstanding the limited.space the men had to work in, was soon got under after the brigade arrived, although thick black fumes continued to pour up ' the companion-way for some time afterwards. The fire luckily was- confined to the enginerpom, the woodwork and fittings of which' were considerably damaged,, but the engine itself sustained little; injury. Had the fire spread, the result would have been,.much : more serious; for several tins of benzine .were stored on: the paunch. In the first effort to extinguish - the flames, Mr. Bertram, one of the owners, had one of his hands slightly burned, but beyond this no one was injured. Although the damage done - was not : very ■ extensive, it will, -no doubt • be. some time; before the launch will be , ready for sea again.. '