mine, ('blowing agent'), partially wrecked three blocks of three-storey tenement buildings, blocking the escape routes from No. 305.
12. On arrival, the tenements were well alight and inaccessible to search and rescue personnel. Nine minutes after the explosion, per- sonnel wearing breathing apparatus attempted to enter the buildings from the front but were driven back by flames which water jets were unable to control. At the same time, another party, using bolt cutters and ladders, succeeded in rescuing two men from behind barred win- dows at the rear and gained access to the roof. Within twenty minutes of the first call, the fire was under control and entry into the buildings made possible.
13. In a fire resulting from a failure to comply with regulations governing the storage of dangerous goods, 26 people died, 46 were injured, and financial loss amounting to $172,000 was sustained. Those responsible for the tragedy were later prosecuted.
Air Crash, Mount Parker, Hong Kong
14. Shortly after 6 p.m. on 19th April, 1961, information was re- ceived that an aircraft had disappeared from the radar screen and was feared to have crashed in the North Point-Shau Kei Wan area.
15. The Fire Service pre-arranged aircrash procedure plan was put into operation at once. When negative reports were received from fire appliances searching built-up areas on the Eastern peninsula, three teams of Fire Service personnel were ordered to search Mount Parker and Mount Butler on foot whilst the high speed No. 1 Fire Boat searched the harbour and a Government helicopter covered the sur- rounding hills.
16. By 6.30 p.m., the search had developed into a combined opera- tion including members of the Fire Service, Police and Medical & Health Departments as well as Army and R.A.F. personnel. Low and heavy mist made visibility difficult and it was more than four hours before the aircraft was sighted 1,500 feet up Mount Parker.
17. Fifteen bodies, recovered from the hillside, were taken to the British Military Hospital in Bowen Road and the sole survivor was carried to hospital by Fire Service ambulance from Chu Wan.
18. Operations were completed within eighteen hours of the original call.
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