PAGO PAGO GOVERNOR BRAVELY FIGHTS FIRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 444, 28 August 1928, Page 13

PAGO PAGO GOVERNOR BRAVELY FIGHTS FIRE

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PORT NAPIER BLAZE FORESIGHT AND HEROISM (United P.A.—By Telegraph Copyright) (Australian and K.Z. Press Association) SUVA, Monday. The “Fiji Times’* correspondent at Pago Pago says the fire on the Port Napier started at 7 o’clock on Friday morning in No. 4 hold, the cause being unknown. After the fire was discovered an ] ammonia tank exploded at 7.10 and a second one at 10 o’clock, blowing open the cargo door and bulging the deck. The captain sent a radio to Pago Pago. *The ship arrived there and docked at seven in the evening. The navy personnel and civilians under the expert management of the acting-Govenor, Commander Le Burgonies, tackled the fire immediately. It was owing to his foresight and heroic efforts, in spite of the greatest danger, that they had the fire completely extinguished at three on Saturday morning. Cargo was jettisoned, including matches, tar, paint, bales, etc. Upon receipt of the cable telling of the disaster, the Acting-Governor immediately recalled to the station the ship Ontario from Apia, where she had gone the previous day to convey the guests of the golf tournament with the Apia champion. The Ontario arrived at Pago Pago at midnight. The port Napier sails for Suva on Sunday or Monday at the latest.