FIRE IN STOKEHOLD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 383, 18 June 1928, Page 1

FIRE IN STOKEHOLD

OUTBREAK ON CANADIAN CHALLENGER LITTLE DAMAGE DONE A fire broke out in the stokehold of the Canadian National Steamships steamer Canadian Challenger at Prince’s Wharf shortly after six o’clock on Saturday evening. For a time the flames threatened to spread to other parts of the vessel, which is an oil burner and carries her fuel in tanks near the stokehold. The outbreak is reported to have been caused by one of the lighted furnaces back-firing and the flames spreading to the oil-saturated fittings. Almost immediately the whole stokehold became enveloped in flames. The steamer’s water and chemical fire appliances could not check the outbreak and at 6.20 p.m. the alarm was given to the city brigade. The brigade’s powerful pump poured tons of water into the stokehold and drove the flames to a bulkhead, where they were subdued by 6.50 p.m. To assist the brigade if necessary, Captain H. H. Sargeant had Harbour Board’s firefloat manned and ready to go alongside the Canadian Challenger, but its services were not required. The only damage was to the stokehold fittings and machinery and after inspection by Lloyd’s surveyor, the Canadian Challenger sailed yesterday morning for Wellington. The vessel arri\ r ed at Auckland last Thursday with general cargo from Halifax. 3.000 tons of -which she discharged at this port.