HONGKONG.
95
No.
93
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE BRIGADE FOR 1892.
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency. the Governor, on the 8th March, 1893.
No. 3.
FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT,
HONGKONG, 1st February, 1893.
SIR, I have the honour to present the following report of the Fire Brigade Department for the year 1892.
The Brigade was called out for the extinction of fires on sixteen occasions. This number though not excessive was double that of the year before. None of the fires attained very serious proportions, though in one instance property to the extent of about forty thousand dollars was destroyed.
In addition to the fires requiring the attendance of the Brigade, there were eighty-three alarms, the fires in such cases being either non-existent or extinguished before headway was made.
Ten of the sixteen fires were made the subject of Magisterial enquiries. I am of opinion that these enquiries continue to have a wholesome deterrent effect and check the great temptation to arson held out by the insuring facilities of the Colony.
Advantage has been taken of the supply of water afforded by the street hydrants to gradually introduce a change into the tactics of the Brigade as regards the general arrangements for the suppres- sion of fires, and to place reliance upon the street hydrants rather than upon the steam fire engines.
The appliance at present in use for this purpose is known as the Fire Despatch Box, its merits consisting in its handiness which enables it to be worked by one man at the same time that it is supplied with three hundred feet of hose and all the appliances necessary for immediate use of the street hydrants.
They have during the year been gradually increased in number without extraordinary expenditure, and now number fourteen. They are situated in the following places :—
No. 1 Police Station.
Engine-house in Wanchai Road. Royal Naval Yard.
Clock Tower.
Central Police Station.
No. 9 Police Station.
Engine-house in Hollywood Road.
Man Mo Temple.
Government Civil Hospital.
No. 7 Police Station.
Nam Pak Hong Engine-house in Bonham Strand.
The Gas Works Premises.
Central Fire Brigade Station.
Their number is being further added to as opportunity offers.
For fire purposes the Town is divided into three districts: Western, Central and Eastern; the Western extending eastwards as far as the Harbour Office, the Central extending eastwards as far as the City Hall, and the remainder of the Town forming the Eastern District.
The particular district in which a fire has broken out is notified to the Brigade by the Fire bells; three strokes signifying the Western District, two strokes the Central District, and one the Eastern District.
In order to obviate the possible danger that might arise from denuding the Central District of its firemen and fire appliances, upon the occasion of a fire in the Eastern District, special arrangements are made for fires in the latter district according to which a certain number of men are told off each month for the purpose of attending at fires at Wanchai, the remainder being kept in the Central District unless the exceptional magnitude of the fire requires their attendance.
Although it is a long time since a fire of extraordinary magnitude took place I do not disguise from myself the possibility of its occurrence and circumstances might arise which would extend the area of the flames beyond the control of the limited number of men that belong to the Brigade. Promptitude in attendance and care in having in readiness the necessary arrangements for extending the operations are the best preventives against the spread of a fire.