24.10. 50.
28.11. 50.
4. 12. 50.
17.12. 50.
16. 1. 51.
combustible nature of the goods stored in the shop, which included illegally stored oils, matches, etc., greatly added to the fierceness and rapidity of the fire which soon gained a firm hold of the upper floor by way of the staircase. The first floor being constructed entirely of wood soon collapsed, bringing with it a large section of the roof. Eleven persons perished in the fire before arrival of the Fire Brigade and another died in hospital from the severe burns after being rescued from the building. The loss of life was due to all the windows on the upper floor being heavily cross-barred and an iron grill door, the only other means of escape, being securely locked. Escape by the internal wooden staircase was impossible. The cause of this fire is unknown, Un-numbered House, Liu Pok Village, Lok Ma Chau, N.T. A single-storey brick dwelling destroyed by fire. One Chinese woman succumbed whilst being removed to hospital. The cause of this fire was due to a naked light being dropped or thrown into a heap of straw.
20, Catchick Street, Kennedy Town. A two-storey building covering an area of about 240 x 40 feet used as a godown, the contents chiefly rattan, paper and miscellaneous goods, severely damaged by fire. The Brigade were on watch at this fire for approximately 18 days. This was due to the large quantity of goods compressed into the building and the dangerous nature of the external walls. The fire was quickly surrounded with fire jets and the efforts of the Brigade were successful in preventing it spreading to the adjoining property. The cause of this fire is so far unknown.
Li Uk Village, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon. A large number of squatter houses covering an area of approximately 1,000 × 500 feet, severely damaged by fire. Information regarding the cause of the fire has been unobtainable. 136-176, Fuk Wa Street, Shamshuipo. A reinforced con- crete 2-floor building, covering an area of about 60 x 75 feet used as a torch-making factory, severely damaged by fire. The cause was considered to be due to foreign matter accumulating in the dust extraction plant of the polishing machine.
Fa Hui Village Squatter Area, Boundary Street, Kowloon. A large number of squatter huts covering an area of about 300 × 100 feet completely destroyed by fire. An invalid woman aged 61 lost her life. Cause of fire was due to a kerosene stove being accidentally overturned.
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