FIRE ON LAUNCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 11

FIRE ON LAUNCH

PETROL EXPLODES

EXCITEMENT AT KAWAU

(Special to the "Eveninp Hnst">

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Catching fire through an explosion of petrol in the bilge, the 38ft launch Connie V was damaged while lying ioeside the wharf sk Kawau on Tuesday, and was finally scuttled in shallow water to prevent the fire from spreading further. The launch is owned by Mr. E. N. Valentine, of Hamilton, who was considerably burned about -the arms and legs, and was taken to the Mansion House suffering from shock while the fight against the fire, which lasted about an hour, was in progress.

A fuel tank in t2ie cockpit of the launch was being filled with petrol, and a cfuantity overflowed into the bilge, suddenly exploding while a party on board was havinig lunch. The fire was confined mainly to the engine and wheelhouse; but was spread, as water was at first thrown on it in an attempt to extinguish the flasmes. Immediately the outbreak was noticed by -the occupants of other launches nearby, several chemical fire extinguishers , were brought to bear on the flames. The steamer Duchess arrived at Kawauwhen the fire first broke out, and, while some excitement was provided for the passengers, members of the crew came to the aid of the launch with two large extinguishers.

The struggle against the flames lasted for an hour, and during this time ten' small extinguishers and six or seven large ones were, used, the launch being covered to a depth of about three inches with white chemical foam. The fire was confined to a small space when the supply of extinguishers ran out, arad one-of the firefighters considered that it could have been got under control if two or three more had been available.

At this point the fijre was beginning to spread to the woodwork, and to prevent much more extensive damage to the deck and cabiin it was decided to sink the launch, which was towed a short distance from the wharf. A small hole was cut in the side just below the"waterline with an axe, and the launch gradually settled down in j about two fathoms of water. Later it was drawn up on the beach, and upon examination the damage was found to be not as extensive as at first feared.