FIRE ON THE CANBERRA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19528, 10 July 1925, Page 9

FIRE ON THE CANBERRA

NO EXPLANATION OF’ ORIGIN. INQUEST ON CRAYTHORNE. Pres* Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, July 9. (Received July 9, at 11 p.imj At the inquest on the steward, Oraythorne (who was killed by the fire on the Canberra 1-aat mouth), the coroner returned a verdict of accidental death by carbon monoxide poisoning caused by fire, but the evidence did not enable him to say how the fire originated. The chief officer of the Fire Brigade gave evidence that when he reached the wharf the ship was well alight. What seemed strange was that the lire had made such headway before the brigade received a call. Counsel for the owners of the Canberra said it might be suggested that the lire started in the carpenter’s cabin, and witness replied that it was impossible to say where it originated. The water policeman who gave the alarm gave evidence that when he noticed the outbreak smoke and flames were coming from the carpenter’s cabin. A steward stated that when bo went to tho pantry about midnight ho saw the ship's carpenter (Fleet), with an open Haro light in his hand, come, from his cabin and go towards his locker. Fleet said he was perfectly sober that night. Ho went to hod at 11 and woke up coughing. He could hoar a fire crackling, but thoro was no outbrectk m his oahiu. Witness said ho dressed and went to the assistance of the firemen. He emphatically denied that ho had gone to his locker with a lighted flare. He vas in bed before tbo light was put out.