EARLY MORNING ALARM

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 33, 9 February 1933, Page 12

EARLY MORNING ALARM

FLAMES SUPPRESSED

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHKISTCHUKCH, This Day. Fire which broke out on the steamer Cumberland early this morning was suppressed after some hours. The fire apparently started in the tween decks, which contained a large quantity of flax, with mutton underneath. The outbreak was discovered by a greaser, who noticed smoke issuing fromjfo. _ hold into the refrigerating machinery room. The fire brigade, assisted by the dredge Te Whaka, poured water on to the flames. When a portion of the hatches was lifted it was found that the fire was not as serious as it appeared at first. It was confined to the port side of the after end of the hold underneath a lifeboat. Estimates of the damage are not available yet. ' ■ ' The Cumberland .is fairly heavily laden, as she has only one more port of call in New Zealand. The No. 4 hold contained 100 bales of flax in the 'tween decks, and is just aft of the engine room and adjacent oil fuel tanks. The lower portion of the hold contains .a large 'quantity of frozen meat. When one of the doors in the bulkhead was opened the fire was blazing fiercely. The deck above the hatch was very hot, and difficulty was experienced in getting to the seat of the outbreak. Tho .whole crew were engaged in lowering the derricks and clearing the decks to prevent anything falling on the firemen. The fire brigade, the crew/ and members of the harbour board staff, who were fighting the flames were hampered owing to the density of the smoke, which was particularly trying. Smoke helmets had to be used. At 2 a_. a hole was cut in the deck in order to play hoses on top of the hold, and soon the fire was under control. The Cumberland was to have left for Port Chalmers for final loading." She was scheduled to leave there next Tuesday for London: - •