STEAMER ON FIRE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 15 September 1924, Page 5

STEAMER ON FIRE

A LONG FIGHT. CARGO DAMAGED. 'BY TELEGRAPH —PHEBB ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 14. A fire on the Federal Shipping Company’s steamer Kaikoura, now lying at a Wellington wharf, damaged a considerable quantity of cargo, mostly copra. The fire waw discovered on Saturday night on the starboard side of the vessel aft. It- being ascertained that the fire had secured a. good hold the services of the city brigade were secured, the ship’s hose was also brought to play and a harbour tug also came to the rescue with its plant.' ' Not much difficulty was experienced in extinguishing the fire, a large quantity of water being poured into the hold. The real extent of the damage is difficult to ascertain, but it is hoped nothing outside the copra cargo is seriously affected. The heat buckled the deck over the hold and damaged the wireless plant, which will have to lie replaced. No insurances are available. The. fire was discovered at midnight. The brigade did splendid work, despite dense smoke and noxius fumes from the burning copra .and kauri gum So thick was the smoke that the firemen .had to don smoke helmets. They fought the nro for several hours and eventually overcame it.

A considerable quantity of kauri eum destroyed, as well a.s. some timber. So terrific was the heat that the wireless apparatus on the deck over the hold was much damaged, as well as the caipenter’s and the boatswain s quarters. The deck was veil charred beneath, the tar being boiled

, i statements are obtainable from the officers. Captain Bone said that little damage wassdone.