FIRE ON S.S. KENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1925, Page 3

FIRE ON S.S. KENT.

water hkinc pofred in. [ 11 y Tl'.l.iai KA I*ll—l’Kit I’ItKSS ASSOCIATION.] AI'CKI.ANI). Sept. 3. There is an outbreak of lire on tbe Federal -learner Kent, which has been anchored in the stream for the past live days owing to the crew having come out as a result of the shipping strike. The lire is in No. 2 hold which contained inward Auckland cargo. It bail been discharged before the vessel went to her anchorage and the cargo remaining in the held is for southern ports. Dense smoke is issuing Irnin Hi., bold. The Fire Brigade is aboard. The Kent is enveloped in dense smoke from midships to aft. So far the lire lighting' appliances have made ao notiicable impression. The wind is light blowing from stem to sieni. A fire final on one side of tbe Kent pouring in tons of water from four huge hoses while the Hurl Board's tm. is on the other side ready, in the event of being called on. to tow the vessel in shore. \ bole is being drilled in the -ide ol till Kent to allow a hose to play directly on the sent of the five.

THE FIRST STACKS. AUCKLAND. September 3,

At 1.15 tbi- morning the fourth ollicer of the Kent saw smoke coining from a ventilator. He gave the alarm and imlloil the captain and the chief officer. They got the ship's hose working. while the engineers got the pumps

..niiig ami uiriieil steam and water into No. 2 hold. They signalled to the -bore for tbe lire brigade which was called at t;.ls> and the firemen were aboard at ti.3o and immediately got to work below.

Fireman McKay was almost MifTorated when taking a hose down tbe hold through the airline attached to bis mask wet lino entangled. He was rescued by the chief officer. Mr Barclay. McKay soon recovered.

Tiie brigade drilled two big holes in the port side of the vessel where the tire was located and another bole fourteen indies in diameter was drilled. The port side of the ship is commencing to bulge and the deck is Incoming

extremely hot. At If)' o’clock the tire was working aft and appeared to have a vert stiong bold. At this time the firemen were operating in the ship’s store room. _ underneath the main deck house, right

amidships. At 10.10 it was evident the fire was more intense, the dense black smoke and smell indicating the flames had reached the oils and paints. M 10,20 the flames broke out with

I pea ranee over No. 2 hold, leaping 7 feet, while the ship is steadily listing to starboard. At 10.20 the flames broke out with greater fury and from tbe navigating bridge Number 2 bold appeared to be fl raging inlerno. At 10.23 the navigating instruments, tfie ship's papers and some property of value belonging to the officers were removed troll', the main deck house. Most strenuous efforts are being made to keep the fire, from getting right alt where the oil tool is stored the Kent being an oil-burning vessel At 11.30. after i oiisultalion between till Captain of the Kent and Captain Blanket (I.lloyd’s surveyor) and Captain Sergeant (Harbour Master), it was devilled to bring the Kent alongside the wharf, and she is now being (owed to get the advantage of the greater pressure of water. The origin of the lire is a mystery. The officers have been in the hold every day since the vessel left the wharf. Only officers and engineers wore ali-ard the whole time. water makes no impression. AUCKLAND, Sept. 3. The Kent Ims lieou berthed at Queen's wharf. The fire evidently maintains a powerful hold. The water is not making any marked. impression. The Kent discharged 5000 tons of cargo at Auckland and the balance aboard is for AYollimrton, Lyttelton and Dunedin and includes 1,500 tons in No. 2 bold to wbieli it is still Imped tbe fire may be confined.