FIRE ON THE INVERBANK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23056, 5 December 1936, Page 14

FIRE ON THE INVERBANK

CONFINED TO ONE HOLD SUVA, Dec. 4. The Inverbank anchored in five fathoms of water on Pagimotu Island near Nukualofa. Attempts are being made to subdue the fire by blanketing with steam. The fire is still confined to No. 4 hold. The hull is insured with Lloyd’s. The cargo is underwritten by Americans. OUTBREAK UNDER CONTROL NUKUALOFA, Dec. 4. (Received Dec. 4, at 11.30 p.m.) The special correspondent of the United Press Association at Nukualofa states that the fire on the Inverbank was discovered at 7 o’clock on the evening of December 2, when the vessel was 130 miles away from the port. The outbreak was in number four hold containing copra from Fiji and Rotuma. She proceeded at full speed with hatches and ventilators sealed, fighting the fire with steam. The outbreak is believed to have originated through spontaneous combustion. The Inverbank arrived at Nukualofa at 10 o’clock on the morn ing of December 3, and the fire was spreading. This morning there was no improvement and No. 4 hold was flooded. It is believed that the outbreak is now under control. The ship’s sides are slightly buckled. There is a quantity of kerosene below. No firefighting apparatus is available at Tonga and a safe anchorage was sought'as a precautionary measure.