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HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SUPPLEMENT
sa it was at four o'clock in the morning. It was very probable that there was still about eight or ten feet of oil in the tank to be burnt and that would most likely take all day and last into the night.
Up to midnight the company were pumping oil from the tank into another and continued this as long as the oil remained cool All the naptha and dangerous goods had been removed from the special godowns to the oil godown by means of aid ex'ended to the company through the courtesy of the Colonel of the 25th Punjabis. Capt. Walker and Adjutant Gardiner were charge.
in
The extent of the damage is not at present known and will Dot be until it is ascertained how much oil has been consumed, a rough estimate however places
the loss at between $250,000 and $300,000.
Mr. J. W. Bolles, manager of the Standard Oil Company in Hongkong, seen by the Telegraph on Thursday, said that when he left Laichikok at nine o'clock on Wednesday the fire was then about finished, probably all that was burning being oil mixed with water, of which it was estimated there was not more than half a foot. At about 10.30 or 11 p.m., after the rain came on, it was practically over.
The tank, said Mr. Bolles, war This was a complete wreck. certainly not anticipated the first evening of the fire when attention was devoted to maintain-
on
It
ing the oil at its original level and thus saving most of the tank. now appeared that as the result of Wednesday's burning, the pumping of oil had to be stop- ped and the wind blowing
steadily in one direction had com- pletely wrecked the side nearest the superintendent's house which was made untenable at the same time.
The Standard Oil Company do not insure, but carry their own incurance reserve.
Mr. Bolles said that the work of reconstruction would be put in band immediately material was obtained from England. The contracts would be given locally.
While the fire appliances of the company fully came up to expec- tations recommendations are be- ing sent to the head office which if carried into effect would have the result of increasing the effic- two iency by one hundred or hundred per cent. There are also other recommendations being forwarded which will have the effect of ensuring greater safety,
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