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C.E. WARREN & CO., LTD.
China Building.
Tal C. 209
KING
PRINTED 8 PUBLISHED BY
franklin
Atoruper
"Hongkong Telegraph"
for The South China Morning Pust, Lid,
13, Wyndham Street, Hongkong.
NSDITION
The
SECON
Hongkong Telegraph.
FOUNDED BRI
NO. EL,TAX
一拜禮、號一十月三英港香
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 1929.
日一初月二
EDWARD
HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE. VICTIMS BURIED
IN RUINS.
EUROPEANS TRAPPED IN ORGANISED SEARCH
BLAZING BUILDING.
BRITISH LADY LEAPS TO DEATH FROM UPPER FLOOR.
FIRE'S RAPID SPREAD.
THIS AFTERNOON,
WELL-KNOWN PEOPLE AMONG THE CASUALTIES..
SINGLE COPY 18 CENTR
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THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD,
Taloskana Central 1246 or 1247. 3. War Nai Chuy..... Hagar Varlot
HOTEL DISASTER.
THE INSURANCE.
HOW LOCAL COMPANIES ARE AFFECTED:
The King Edward Hotel belonge to the China Land Investment Company, the head of which" "In Mr. S. K. Lau. This property is mortgaged to the Hongkong Land Investmont Agency who, as mort
SCENES OF UTTER AMAZING ESCAPES.
DESTRUCTION.
VISIT TO RUINED BUILDING.
THE MISSING;
gagets, have effected insurance to POLICE PARTY'S SEARCH FOR the extent of about $275,000. This Insuranco la with the Hongkong Fire Insurance Company, who, in accordance with general insurance MR. WITCHELL'S STORY.practice, havo re-insured among
The full extent of the grim disaster cannot be ascertained at the moment. The building was smouldering throughout the mor. ning, and the heat was too Intense to allow a thorough search of the
debris to be made.
There is reason to fear that ten or more bodies are buried in the ruins. It was planned that an at- tempt at recovery should be made
various local · Companies, Tho owners of the property have, them. selves, effected partial insurance to cover their interest in the build Ing.
RESIDENTS' LOSSES.
A
had visited the premises, this After a preliminary search party morning, a representative of the Telegraph went over the two hotel storey by storey, and got h vivid impression of the damage caused by fire and water.
Thanks to the courtesy of the police and firemen on the scene, our representative was allowed to go over the buildings unhampered
A ROPE OF SHEETS AND BLANKETS.
PERILOUS EXPERIENCES OF TRAPPED RESIDENTS.
CHAN MING-SHU HURT.
Perhaps the most sensational escape was made by a Petty Officer in the American Navy, who,
The most tragic feature was the loss of several lives, in- this morning, but after a consulta "farmod out" and most of the and he saw a scene of uiter de la stated to be Mr. Phillips, of the |
One of the worst fire disasters in the history of the Colony occurred in the early hours of this morning, the King Edward Hotel being completely gutted, the blaze spreading into the upper storeys of the Savoy Hotel.
cluding a number of Europeans, while among the injured were General Chan Ming-shu, the Civil Governor of Kwangtung and his wife, who like many others, jumped from the blazing building and had exceedingly narrow escapes.
The fact that the fire escapes could not reach the upper' floors of the burning hotel was largely responsible for the casualties. Numbers of residents were trapped and there were
axciting acenes as they leaped into the jumping-sheets held
out by firemen and volunteers.
One European lady, Mrs. D. J. Robson, the wife of a Naval Yard official, jumped from the fourth floor into the street and was killed instantaneously, Mr. Robson is missing.
Several charred bodies have, this morning, been observed in the ruined shell of the building. It is feared that Mr. Enos Beth, who was on a holiday visit to the Colony, is among the ilising.
EYE WITNESS' STORIES.
'Injuries.
One of the earliest Europeans on this scene was Mr. N. V. A. One of the most exciting rescues, Croucher, of Messrs. Benjamin and said Mr. Croucher, was that in Potts, who was amongst "those which a Chinese was seen to crawl who rendered assistance by hold- | along from the verandah on to a ing the Brigade sheets into which plece of ornamental masonry over entrapped residents of the Hotel | the main entrance, at the height jumped. In conversation with a of the third floor. This man Telegraph
Mr. crouched on his precarious perch representative,
•Croucher said he believed that the until the fire escupo was run up. fire broke out at about 2.50 a.m., He was successfully brought down, but the time could not be definite by stated. There also peared some doubt as to whether the outbreak originated on ground floor or higher up.
ap-
the
Mr. Orancher states that the Brigade arrived on the scene very quickly, but, uone the less, the fire had obtained a good hold on the building by this time. Their work was somewhat hampered owing to the fact that very little water could be got from the hydrant in front of Lane, Craw ford's establishment. At this point a fire escapo was got into position, but some difficulty waB experienced in getitng it into operation. Mr. T. H. King, the acting C.3.P., was early on the scene directing operations as head of the Fire Brigade.
It soon became apparent, said Mr. Croucher, that many resi- denta of the King Edward Hotel had been trapped in the burning building, and some exciting rescue scenes were witnessed. In this connexion, very valuable werk was rendered by men from H.M.S. Suffolk, sent out for emergency duty..
Thrilling Scenes. Mr. Croucher went on to describe some of the thrilling escapes, in- duding that of Petty Officer Phil- lipe, of the 17.9.8, Pittsburgh, who, with the aid of two shecta tied to gether, scaled down from the fifth floor of the building to the fourth floor where he was able to descend t'e fire escape which had then been placed in position for him,
The majority of the casualties up to that time were caused by jump ing from high floor verandahs One man who signalled his intention of jumping fell about two feet away from the fire sheet which was held out for him, Mr. Croucher and other volunteers helping the fremen to man the sheet. "This un
fortunate victim was killed almost
Instantaneously, suffering terrible
Retreal Cut Of,
Several American sailors were seen on the verandaha facing lee House Street and their retreat was cut off by the blazing bedrooms. The fire sheet was again rot into position, and the men jumped, sey. eral being safely caught and only bruised and shaken, while it is fear ed was at least two were so badly injured that they are among the fatalities.
Another European, thought to be a Frenchman, also jumped, but landed wide.
Meanwhile, the fire had spread with tremendous rapidity, said Mr. Croucher. The entire building of the King Edward Hotel acemed to be involved and the two top floors of the Savoy Hotel were well alight. By this time a tremendous volume of water was being poured into the buildings, the fire floats getting to work from the Praya and a naval tugʻalso coming up and getting much water into the fire zone. Mr. Croucher paid a high tribute to the work of Britlah sallors off H.M.S. Suffolk, saying that the men work ed at great hazard in doing every thing they could..
Among the earliest on the scene Wero Europeang from the kong and Shanghal Meas.
Early on the Scene.
U.S.S. Asheville.
Aa regards the Savoy Hotel, this is owned by the Hongkong Land Investment Agency, who have fully insured the property with the Hongkong Fire Insurance Company, the amount of the cover being $401,000 and two years' rent. This insurance has likewise been tion among the leading officials,. it local insurance offices are interest-sulation and destruction. was decided to postpone the com-ed parties.
Entering the Savoy Hotel from plete search until this afternoon.
We have been unable to ascer- the entrance in Chater Road, our tain the amount of the insurance representative found his way to on the contents of the King Ed-the dining room on the first floor by ascending the main stairway At the entrance there were four coffins in readiness to carry away
found by the firemen in the course he appeared on one of the veran- of their search among the debris dahs: Stories differ as to which in the adjoining hotel. The en-floor it was, but from the evid trance hall was scattered with the property of residents of the hotel, and here and there could be acc residents, altting on boxes and im- provised stools."
The whole of the King Edward Hotel in gatted and the building aa collapsed to the level of the
first floor..
Only a close inspection of the
PUNË SEVEN ZORAN KES ÉLET TRENTANEL, DAR BEENKISTUSRAT İN KALEA KALKULA KINSEIKONZOLESHJAT: ALIN.
debris will reveal the full extent THE CASUALTIES such dead bodies as might be of the casualties.
!
Manager's Narrow Escape.
was
The manager of the hotel, Mr. H. Witchell, who lived on the family had an exceedingly narrow fifth floor, and who, with his
cscape, in ап interview with a Telegraph representative this | morning, said that Je
Awakened, at about three o'clock this morning by the blowing of police whistles but believing a thief was being chased he did not bother. A few minutes later, the smoke started to pour into his room so he got up and rushed down the stairs only to be met by fames when he reached the third floor. Realising that exit could not be had that way he promptly roused the other people in the hotel. Mr. Witchell succeeded in. escaping from the now blazing building, lo- gether with his three children, by means of the stone fire escape at the back of the building.
Jumps for Life.
A number of people were on the verandahs by this time and as far ан can be ascertained, in the general pandemonium, faw tried to get away by means of the fire escape, the majority risking a jump into the canvas sheets operated by the Fire Brigade. A Chinese woman was noticed climbing down a water- pipe. She eventually jumped into the sheet and received slight. in- juries,
It was known, said Mr. Witchell, that Mr. G. Wondenberg, Mr. B. Henderson, Mr. L. M. Hiras and Mr. J. E. Wentz were safe, but amongst the missing were Mr. D. J. Robson, Mr, Enos Seth and a number of Chinese, who were believed to have included Mr. Ma
and Mr. Y. Y, Chai.
Double Tragedy,
One of the suddent of the trage- dies involved is the presumed death of both Mr. and Mrs. Doug- las James Robson, who took up residence about two months ago, Mrs. Robson jumped from an upper Hong-storey to a sheet held out below, but it is understood that the unfor- tunate lady missed the sheet by striking a wire on her downward A Telegraph reporter coming course. She was killed instan- over from Kowloon at 3,30 found taneously, her back being broken. several people waiting for motor Mr, Robson, who in missing and, boata on the Kowloon alde. Hav. therefore, belleved dead, was 3- ing offices in Alexandra building, afstant naval store officer at the' they had been warned of the fire at Naval Yard. He was 32 years of the King Edward and were going age, and had been in the Colony over to discover the extent of the about 14 months. He was well- blaze. The course of the fires known as a footballer, and, play described below, the initial outed for the Kowloon Football Club break being dealt with elsewhere by senior team practically throughout eye-witnesses who saw unfortunate the present season as a full-back. residents killed and others make
A very pleasant, unassuming fel- sensational escapes.
low, he was universally liked. Enos Seth; a cousin of Mr. Harold Also among the missing is Mr.
At four o'clock the second, third fourth and fifth floors of the King (Continued on Page 11.)
MANY STILL MISSING.
Water Pouring In.
The story of his escape is re- lated by various eye-witnesses, from, which it appears that the man had been occupying a room in the King Edward Hotel for the standing in Ice House street when night and was first seen by those
ence of the blanket rope which still hangs out of one of the hotel windows it seems clear that the escape was made from the fourth floor.
It is not yet possible to obtain a full list of the casualties, owing to the state of the ruined premises, rendering it unsafe for a search among the debris for missing rest- dents. Below, are the names of those definitely known to have The dining room on the first
Hemmed in by flames and un- been killed or injured, together floor of the Savoy Hotel was not able to get down the ordinary with some of the unfortunate damaged by fire at all, but on the staircase of the hotel, Mr. Philips persons believed to have been in-polished floor there was about six went back into his room, took the clnerated.
inches of water and through the sheets and blankets off the bed roof more
water was steadily and made them into a rope which, he fastened to the verandak, He pouring.
could see the waiting fire escape Access to the upper storeys down bolow, but it fell short of from the dining room was the floor he was on, and, with re- only possible through a stairway markable presence of mind, he de- at the back of the building. On termined to reach the fire escape this stairway, firemen had about by means of his improvised rope. six hoses,
DEAN.
Mr. P. Baille. (Mr. Max Pick- man) (French).
Seaman Kish (American), U.S.S. Memphis.
Mrs. D. J..Robson (British), Mr. William Woods (British). Mr. Chung (Secretary to Gen. Chan Ming-shu).
Two other Chinese (uniden- tifled).
An unidentified Japanese
woman,
The second floor of the Savoy
Chose Own Method. Hotel was only damaged by water,
Having secured the rope to the beds and beddings, furniture and fixings being much damaged. A verandah, he climbed over, des- fireman who was on duty on this pite many cries from the street floor explained that the damage that he should jump down Into wap wholly due to leakage from one of the sheets held by firemen. the higher floors, and added that Choosing his own method of es- a heavy deluge of water had come cupe, he lowered himself down the through Into this storey hecause blanket rope to the third floor Gov-water had been pumped into the which could be reached by the
higher storeys for four hours,
INJURED. Gen, Chan Ming-shu, Civil
ernor of Canton, Madame Chan Ming-shu. Andrew Piccioli (28), U.S.S.
Memphis.
To Chat (52), Hotel "Boy." Ng Jor-yin (19), Hotel "Boy." Leung Kwan, Hotel “Boy.” MISSING (FEARED DEAD). Mr. D. J. Robson (British).. Mr. Enos Seth' (British). Mr. Ma.
And Others.
through.
fire escape. He then succeeded in getting on the ladder and thus made his way down to the street in 'safety.
Eye-witnesses who saw the escape are unanimous in their opinion that, it required much pluck to essay the feat of getting down to the ladder. From all ac counts the escape was made with a remarkable presence of mind, which called forth cheers from the spectators below, who watched every movement of the man high
up above,
made his way along and succeedert In reaching the Savoy Hotel, where he climbed over on to the verandah 'and so to safety. ̧*
When seen by a Telegraph reporter he was dressed only in a ouit and overcoat and, in reply to‘a question, sald that all his personal property had presumably been burned in the fire, Joking after a nerve-racking experience, ho eafd. that climbing along the outer ledge of a building was difficult enough without having a suitcase to carry!
Hotel Boy's Experience.
Shouts for help from the King Edward Hotel were heard early on One of the hotel. "boys," nam ed
To Chat, finding himsett trapped by the flames went on 'fo the verandah, and, looking, over, found a jumping sheet being held out in Ice House street. He stood on the balustrade of the third
floor verandah and jumped into
the sheet. He is understood to be suffering from burns and log in- 'juries. •'
Another Chinese "boy" was geon. climbing down from the third floor. He also clung to the masonry, finding a precarious foothold and by a commendable display of nerve managed to get down to the sacond floor verandah, where .be was taken off by firemen on the of the escapes.
Another thrilling escape was made by Mr. Ny Ting-ying, & Can- ton Government engineer, who ar». rived in Hongkong two, days ago La inspect the work on the new Canton gunboat recently built at... · Mongkok. He occupied room No. 405 on the fourth floor of the King- Edward Hotel and told a Telc graph representative that he was awakened by shouts for help.
Brigade Rescue.
Scene of Confusion; On the next floor, our represen- .tative saw that the damage was
He'dashed out of his room only very much the same as on, the
to be met by flames. Finding thet lower storey, with the exception that the scene of confusion was
stopped by dense clouds the exit to the lower floors was of greater. : Beda and beddings
amoke, he ran out on to the veran- showed signs of having been
dah of his room, shouting for as hurriedly left and furniture bore
aistance. He was heard in the the impression that residents had
street below, but the jumping. made hasty searches for property and then cleared out before the
sheets were being used at the back rooms were enveloped in flames.
part of the hotel where people Mr. Y. Y. Chai
On the fourth floor there were
were jumping, from the top floors. Capt. W. Y. Wu, a Cantonese marks on the celling showing
Another Escape.
Realising that only means 'of naval officer,
where the fire had almost burned. An equally perilous escape was
escape offered itself, Mr. Ng climb- ed from the verandah of the After wading a way through, made by another resident on the fourth floor to the ornamental our representative came upon a third floor of the King Edward stone work above the main en- sight of utter desolation. The Hotel, Mr. J. Wentz, an American, trance to the hotel. This consiste whole of the floor was razed, and who told a Telegraph reporter that of a ledge about a foot wide and the partitions were burned to cind he was awakened by screams and offering only a precarious footing. ers. There were bed frames, but general confusion.
Standing there in imminent peril, so bedding whilst the wooden
he was seen from the street and furniture was reduced to ashes. What remained wore broken bits of
firemen were able to get the en- cape up to the place where Mr. Ng. Soth and. Mr.
sfood and so bring him down' to- Hennessey crockery, and such silver or bronze Seth,
who Was well ware as withstood the ravages of At this time, he saw Mr. Wit-safety. known in Hongkong, having the flames.
Evidence that residents hero chell and his children. Practically
Mr Ng told a reporter that ha been with Mr. J D. Humphreys made attempts to put out the fire
were dense with considered his escape or rescue. and Co. for about fifteen years themselves were to be seen. A smoke, and the flames were spread was a miraculous one. He said prior to 1916. In 1916, he left the patent fire extinguisher, of large ing rapidl
there was no way down from the Colony and went into business in size, was seen on the floor, with The only possible way of escape ornamental stonework, and at with that business that he was position I would seem that an at- of the King Edward Hotel, walidag sheet below. As ha London, and it was in connexion suds oozing out of it, and from its was by climbing over the verandah that time there was no Jumping In the Colony, For some time he
rounded by dense clouds of smoke tempt had been made to employ it. along the outside narrow ledge had stayed with his relatives, but Looking up from this floor, one and thus getting into the Savoy he considered that he could not as he wished to be in the centre could see through to the sky, Hotel. Clinging to the side of the have stayed on the ledge much of town to receive Chinese buyers, although there was another Hotel, almost like a fly, the longer, but must soon have been he took up residence in the King storey above. Our represen- resident risked death
overcome and fallen headlong fo Edward Hotel a few days ago.
to the street. tative, determined to go through step by a fall into the street, With (Continued on Page 11.)
Tomarkable. coolness, however ho (Continued on Page 8)
(Continued on Page 11.);
ward Hotel, but we are Informed that the contents of the Savoy Hotel are fully covered with the Union Trading Society and other companies.
..
There was,
however, no apparent panic in the hotel according to this informant. This resident also found exit by the staircase. Impossible.
all the rooMS-
•
at.overy
WELK
Bur-