cause of the fire which started in a production line of Christmas tree plastic and glass lights, was not determined, but the rapid spread un- doubtedly resulted from gas lines (used for annealing the small glass lamps) melting and feeding the fire area with considerable quantities of gas. The heat build up was so great as to completely distort and make unsafe a 6-inch R.C.C. floor! On arrival the Officer Commanding found some 25 persons trapped above the fire and these were led to safety under a water curtain from spray nozzles. Unfortunately, two hardwood fire resistant smoke stop doors had, contrary to the requirements of the Service, been fitted with unprotected glass, and through the latter the fire spread rapidly to the 6th floor, igniting en route illegal storage on stairways. The call had been raised to 5th alarm category and was brought under control in 1 hour. From a Fire Service planning view point operations were of interest due to the fact that as development of the large site upon which this factory is situated was incomplete, moni- tors from turntable ladders were only effective on two sides of the factory. On the remaining two, the fire under a strong wind was being driven into the upper floors. A recently acquired extra-heavy pump was brought to the scene, and within 10 minutes of 2 heavy monitors being directed into the 5th and 6th floors, the fire was literally blasted out of existence from the astonishing distance of over 120 feet. The Service understandably acquires a sense of satisfaction when an item of equip- ment specially designed by one of its officers to meet the special water shortage problems in Hong Kong produces such satisfactory results in another field of operations. This fire provided a further demonstration of the axiom that it is the contents, not the structure, which provides the fire and life risk.”
Second Street, City of Victoria
76. A few minutes after 7 a.m. on 13th September, 1962, a fire broke out in a 4-storey tenement building in Second Street, City of Victoria, Hong Kong, spreading rapidly and involving a second tenement along- side. This fire, which was brought under control within 50 minutes, is of interest in demonstrating the uncertainties which face Officers Com- manding first attendances in Hong Kong. The two tenement buildings were occupied by some 350 persons. On arrival the Officer Commanding was informed that a large number of persons were unaccounted for; as a result the fire was raised to 4th alarm category. Whilst one section of the first attendance was 'holding the fire' the balance together with the 4th alarm reinforcements searched every nook and cranny amongst col-
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