FIRE ON STEAMER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 January 1925, Page 4

FIRE ON STEAMER

THE I’AKEI IA OUTBREAK. WELLINGTON. January 19. .Mystery surrounds the origin of the smouldering fire discovered in No 1 lower hold of Hie Shaw. Savill steamer .I’akcha. at Tokoinaru Bay, early on Friday night. The vessel, which was lying at the roadstead, had been hauling wool and pelts from lighters for SOtllc days. The hold after D-d an:, burly tullv laden with carcases of frozen mutton and the cloth coverings had in time manner become ignited. While the fumes were not dense, the burning of rag and the carcases combined seems to have generated some form of gas and several men, who were engaged in the work of removing the upper tiers, were overcome by it. Assistance was readily forthcoming, and they wore suon brought to. The lire, which was discovered at 8.30 p.m., was not of sufficient magnitude to warrant the application of "CO2” apparatus, hut the appliance was adjusted in case, of emergency. After some of the carcases had boon taken out. the hatches were sealed down, and the fire was thus eo-n! ; ' -

to the particular quarter in which it originated. Tlie stevedores engage!! 011 the Rakeha went ashore at 11.30 p.m., and the vessel took her departure for Wellington shortly afterwards. The closing < f the hatches had its effect and when the Bakeha drew alongside Clyde Quay wharf at 5.40 11.111. yesterday, there were 110 indications that anything had been amiss. The vessel itself lias suffered no structural damage, but as far as can be ascertained at present about 200 c-arcases of mutton lmv£ been damaged. Tlie J’akoha was moved across to Pipitoa Wharf this morning to discharge the affected cargo. The lire bad the effect of altering the vessel’s building programme. She will now leave Wellington on Wednesday f or Tokomaru Bay, Gisborne and Napier, returning here about January 29, to complete and sail for Homo on February 3.