FIRE ON THE TURAKINA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8549, 5 October 1907, Page 5

FIRE ON THE TURAKINA.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

WELLINGTON, October 4. The steamer Turakina, which left Auckland on September 26th for London, arrived in Wellington this morning, with har cargo on fire. The fire broke out in No. 1 hold, among the general cargo, consisting largely of wool, flax, and tow. It was first noticed at 5 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, when the steamer was 550 miles from the Chatham Islands and 1,000 miles from Wellington. The hold and forepeak of the vessel was sealed down to prevent draught, and the sulphur oxide engine began to pump extinguishing gas into the part affected and water was played on the top of the hatch. The outbreak was confined to the 'tween decks of No. 1 hold, and was held in check till the vessel arrived in Wellington at 11 o'clock to-day. It is not anticipated that there will begany great difficulty incompletely suppressing the fire. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 4. This afternoon several of the crew of the Turakina, with smoke helmets on, went down into the crew's quarters adjacent to the hold where the fire originated. The smoke was not dense, but it was very pungent, and tir had to be pumped to the men. A lot of the personal effects of the crew were brought up. Nothing appeared to be burned. The hatches were taken off at 3 o'clock. They were charred underneath, especially on the port side. Superintendent Hugo, of the Fire Brigade, directed the extinguishing operations. Bales of flax singed all round, but not burned, through, were got up. Several leads of hose were kept playing into the hold while the unloading was going on. Efforts have been proceeding all the evening to suppress the outbreak of fire aboard the Turakina. At a late hour to-night, after the water had been pumped out of the vessel for half an hour, there was little apparent change in the position ,of affairs. -Volumes of smoke and steam are issuing from the steamer. ■Tiie Union Company's new tug Terawhiti is giving valuable assistance. Fortunately her fire-fighting appliances were fixed up for a trial this morning. ' A fire broke out on the Turakina on September 27, 1905, while she was lying alongside the Glasgow wharf, Wellington. The outbreak was extinguished by the chemical engine. The cargo at that time consisted of wool, flax, tow and other New Zealand produce intended for London. On discharging the cargo it was found that the fire originated in some flax and wool shipped at the Bluff. About ninety bales of wool and flax were damaged on that occasion.