B
13. 3. 53.
3.
thrown down; the flash back igniting the cargoes in the godown through the drain channel. The Auxiliary Fire Service rendered valuable assist- ance in this operation.
A serious fire occurred
Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon. at Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, at about 03.01 hours on the 13th March, 1953, involving miscellaneous factories, marine stores and squatter huts. The fire was discovered by the Fireman on watch duty at Kowloon Fire Station who raised the alarm immediately. The early arrival of the Brigade prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining properties. This fire which covered an area of about 300 × 200 feet, was extinguished by 17 deliveries from 5 motor pumps, 1 trailer pump, 1 fire boat and 5 hydrants,
There were a number of serious fires involving squatter areas with heavy damage in all cases. Such fires are difficult to control in view of the materials used in the construction of the huts, which are mostly built of flimsy match wood. The risks are considerably increased by the existence in these areas of illegal stores of kerosene and inflammable liquids, used by the squatters for fuel and illumination.
4. The Brigade was called to deal with two aircraft crashes. In the more serious incident, a United States Army Air Force C-54 aircraft crashed on landing on No. 31 runway at Kai Tak Airport, and was completely destroyed by fire. It was most fortunate that all the 22 passengers and crew were saved, although 11 of them suffered injuries and had to be removed to hospital by ambulance.
5. The number of ship fires attended by the Brigade as listed in para. 1 includes all marine calls. Two of these occurred outside Hong Kong territorial waters, but assistance was rendered on the ships' arrival in port.
3
: