OUTBREAK OF FIRE.

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 18 June 1919, Page 2

OUTBREAK OF FIRE.

ON B.S. "WAITANGI"

The fire-bell rang out shortly after 7 o'clock last night, the alarm being given on account of an outbreak of fire which had occurred on the S.S. "Waitangi" which v/as lying at the railway -j wharf. ▼

It appears that the vessel had just been unioaded, a portion of the cargo being benzine, some tins of which had been leaking badly. The natural result was that the fumes ignited when a naked light was used near the hold. The flames rose to a great height, and at one time it appeared as if the vessel would be badly damaged, but prompt action with the ship's hose soon overcame the flames, and the services of the members of the local Tiro Brigade, who were quickly on tho scene, were

not required. Eye witnesses of the fire state that the four men in the hold had a very narrow escape. Immediately the lantern was held near the bottom of the hold the fumes ignited, blowing up the floor boards and knocking over one of the crew who was on deck. The hold was in a mass of flames. The four men fortunately kept their presence of mind and rushed for the ladder, the last man up just being able to reach flic top.