CHAPTER X
53
CONCLUSION.
74
Cause of the Wing On Fire;
99. The proximate cause of the Wing On Fire was the violent combustion
of washed celluloid film scrap stored in Godown No. 5. The most accept- able explanation of how the film scrap caught fire is the self-ignition
of a small quantity of unstable film.
Responsibility for the Loss of Life and Damage:
100. The prime responsibility for the loss of life must rest with the
persons who accepted the film scrap for storage in a godown connected
with domestic premises. The Fire Brigade did all that was possible to
save life once the fire had started.
(a) We are of the opinion that at least some members of the godown
staff were aware of the contents of the drums. We consider that
the prime responsibility for acceptance of the washed film scrap
rested with Wong Tong and his store-keepers, all of whom are dead. (b) We consider that as Mr. Lam Wan Kui was directly responsible
to the Wing On Company for the good conduct of its godowns, he was
responsible for the issue of proper instructions to the staff as tu
what goods should or should not be accepted and for the carrying
out of those instructions. He gave no instructions other than not
to store commodities which might subject owners of goods to a higher
rate of insurance or which might invalidate insurance in the event
of a destructive fire. He must bear a large measure of the respon-
sibility for the fire,
(c) We consider that some degree of responsibility attaches to the
Chief Manager of the Wing On Company, Mr. L. P. Kwok, for not ensur
ing that the member of his staff responsible for the management of
the company's godowns was thoroughly familiar with the regulations
for storage of cinematograph film and dangerous goods.
(a) We consider that a minor degree of responsibility rests with
the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade for his failure to ensure
adequate publicity for the regulations for storage of dangerous
goods and celluloid.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.