STEAMER OH FIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8339, 27 January 1913, Page 7

STEAMER OH FIRE

OUTBREAK ON THE MANAROA. PROMPT DISCOVERY SAVES THE SHIP. An outbreak of fire occurred on the coastal steamer Manama alongside the Customhouse quay last night, which was extinguished by the fire brigade before any serious damage had resulted. About 9.10 o’clock some passers-by noticed smoko issuing from a ventilator on the bridge. At the same time an A.. 8. named C. Coombs, who was read* in" in tho forecastle, also observed tho smoke. The Harbour Board watchmen were informed, and the alarm was given by Mr W. Meredith. The brigade was promptly on the scene. Superintendent Tait having twenty men and two motors readv to combat what threatened to be a~ serious blaze, as a high wind was blowing at the time. ■ Owing to the density of tho smoko •some time was occupied in locating the scat of the fire. There was no ono on board with keys to open up the doors leading below. As it was clear that tho outbreak was in tho passengers’ saloon amidships a pantry door givi'ng access to tho saloon was smashed in. One of tho firemen was sent below, with a smokejacket on, to locate the fire. A load with about half-pressure of water was directed on the flames, and soon all danger was over. In about half an hour after the alarm all signs of smoko had disappeared. An examination showed that tho fir© originated under a lower bunk on the port side of the saloon, among some ship’s stores, which included candles and wooden matches. A few scattered wax-matches were also found, and it is considered possible that tho fire was caused by a rat gnawing ono of these. Throe suffocated rats were found in the saloon after the smoke had cleared. The blankets, mattresses, and fittings of two or three bunks were damaged by fire.

The Manaroa, which is a wooden vessel. is considered to have had a narrow escape from serious damage. She arrived at Wellington at 4 o’clock on Saturday afternoon with a load of wool from Pelorus Sound, and was to have sailed again to-day for tho Sounds.