FIRE ON THE INDRADEVI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 856, 23 June 1910, Page 3

FIRE ON THE INDRADEVI.

IN AUCKLAND HARBOUR

Auckland, June 22

An outbreak of fire was discovered in the forward hold of the steamer Indradevi, berthed at the end of the Queen street wharf, at 1.30 a-m. Smoke was issuing from the hold, where there is stored a consignment of hardware goods. When the hatches were lifted the smoke rushed out ol the forehold. The Fire Brigade attended smartly, and soon after 2 a.m. a man descended and endeavoured to locate the seat ot the fire while air was pumped into the hold from the deck. The smoke continued to increase in volume, and at 2.30 the forward part of the ship was warmer under foot. Indications pointed to the seat of the outbreak being in the forward ’tween decks, where the cargo consists of iron, salt and beer in cases, the latter being packed in straw.

At 3 a.m. an officer inspected the hold, and stated that the fire was coufined to No. 1 hold. As far as he could judge it was under control.

The ship’s officers, engineers, and crew all entered the hold and assisted in the suppression of the fire. Two brigates, the Harbour Board fire float, and all the ship’s hose were then pumping water into the hold. The fire did not appear to be very serious, but shortly after a considerable body of flame appeared. It quickly subsided, and the water seemed to be reaching the fire, which was now ascertained to be below the second deck.

The firemen worked under difficult conditions, the fore hold being filled with smoke from which whirling eddies ascended almost blinding the men. At 9 a.m. the fire was still burning, but was apparently under control. Eater. The fire on the Indradevi has now taken on a serious aspect. Water is being poured into No. 1 hold at the rate of 2400 gallons a minute, but is making apparently no impression. The heat, fumes and smoke make the work of the firemen and crew increasingly difficult. Already six firemen have been incapacitated while endeavouring to locate the seat of the fire, which has spread to the seamen’s quarters. The latter is absolutely gutted,

Aft of No. 1 hold is stored a very large cargo of spirits, and should the flames reach this disastrous results are feared.

There Is no sign of flames at present, but the paint is blistering off the steamer outside the forehold.

A dense volume of smoke shrouds the vessel. The deck cargo in the hold where the fire is burning is all for southern ports. THE EATEST. FIRE BEEIEVED TO BE EXTINGUISHED. It is believed that the fire is now extinguished.