FIRE-FIGHTERS GASSED

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 33, 3 November 1919, Page 4

FIRE-FIGHTERS GASSED

ON THE CITY OF WINCHESTER SEVERAL OVERCOME BY C.0.2 . 'I'll® apparatus used for smothering tho li re on the overseas steamer City of Winchester gives oft' a highly irritant gas, tnines of which affected no fewer l.liaii twelve men who wero engaged in subduing the outbreak on Saturday. The eil'.'ct oi' the gas is to cause u tightening sensation to the lungs and . wins aljout Hie neck anil head, which ultimately produces unconsciousness. A mung the waterside workers who wore ali'ected on Saturday were George Miller and t. 11. 1 jpc raft, both of whom were sent to Hie hospital by Dr. Henry at nhrtui !M0 ji.ih, 'Leu other cases occur', red during the <iay, and another man named H. C. Williams was removed to tho'hospital in the- afternoon for treatment. With the exception of die three named and D. Larnach and G. C. Wilkinson. who were sent home, the others (inickly recovered from the effects. The fire is believed to have originated in the cargo of coal which was shipped a_l -Norfolk, Virginia, and is stowed in No. « hold. Next, to this cargo is a refrigerating chamber, and it is presumetf that the heat from the fire in tho coal caused the ignition of>tlie insulation in the freezimr chamber. The C.0.2 composition is being forced into the chamber through specially lmrcd holes to smother the fire there, whilst special efforts are being directed to subdue the fire which is belioved to exist in tlio. coal stack.

It was while some of the contents of the freezing chamber were being removed that the men engaged in the work were overcome bv the funics. This causd a stoppage of the work, and the hatches were replaced. The matter of removing the coal cargo is. it is understood, unoer consideration, and the probabilities are that this course will prove necessary in order to get to the s?at of the fire. The damage to the freezing chamber is not known, but it is presumed that the insulation malerial has been burnt out, and extensive repairs will be probable. Late on Saturday night the bulkhead plates again became heated, and a further application 'of C-0.2 was necessary. Examined yesterday evening, the plates were (iiiite cold, but a, careful watch is being maintained ann' the plates arc lieinz constantly tested. Upcraft was last evening reported to be progressing very well. Tho other two men had been discharged from the hospital.