CO129-614-1 Commission of Inquiry into fire at West Point- report 26-5-1949 - 22-12-1949 — Page 24

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Commission, when we were appointed on 6th October, 1948 Commissioners

under the Commissioners Powers Ordinance, 1886,

"to inquire into the cause of and responsibility for the loss of life and damage occurring at and in the vicinity of 352-367 Des Voeux Road West and Godowns 2, 3 and 4 Connaught Road WEST on 22nd September, 1948, and subsequent days and to consider and recommend what measures should be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future",

8.

On appointment, there was made available to us a brief report on

the Fire prepared by the Chief Officer for the Colonial Secretary, to-

gether with statements taken by the Police Force from various witnesses

connected with the Fire and an interim report by Mr. R.C, Terry, As-

sistant Government Chemist on his investigations into the origin of the

Firc. It became plain then that there had been stored in to guŭJmi

beneath the tenements a very large quantity of cinematograph film scrap

together with quantities of a number of substances listed as dangerous

goods under the Ordinance of 1873. This godown was not licensed for

storage of these goods.

Release of Property:

9.

In the meantime, owners of goods involved in the fire were not un-

naturally anxious to gain access to the godowns, and to remove what had

survi ved, while the Fire Assessor, who had been invited from Shanghai

by the Fire Insurance Association, wished to make an assessment of damage.

The Health Authorities were concerned over the danger to public health

arising from the decay of vegetable products and the breeding of flies.

We did not wish to delay unduly the taking of the necessary sanitary

measures and the removal of property, so the Police Force was asked to

request the Magistrate to open an inquiry under the Fire Investigation

Ordinance, 1895, at the earliest opportunity and to apply for an aljour-

ment sine die pending the report of the Commission. The Magistrate's

enquiry was opened on 29th October. In order to facilitate clearence

of the godowns and as we had plans of the distribution of goods stored

in them, we notified the Police Force at the end of October that we had

no objection to the release of property from either godown, subject to

the requirements of the Building Authority and the Health Authorities.

The Magistrate made an order to that effect at the beginning of November.