XN000022-1972-05-24 — Page 2

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Wednesday, May 24, 1972

On its finding on the cause of the fire, the Commission has

this to say: "We have no doubt that the fire was started by arcing

and molten metal globules falling from an electric welding electrode

holder in the false ceiling at the after end of the aquarium

By reason of the nature of the material and the semi-darkness in which

that area must have been shrouded, it is not beyond the bounds of

possibility that the fire smouldered unobserved for several hours

before it finally burst into flames."

The Commission says the responsibility for the outbreak of the

fire must lie with those actually welding, the person by whom they were

employed and the Chung Wah Shipbuilding and Engineering Company.

Extra Precautions

In the view of the Commission the Chung Wah Company and the

owners, the Aberdeen Restaurant Enterprises Ltd., should "both have

taken extra precautions against fire in view of the large amount of

unprotected but highly inflammable decorative material throughout the

Jumbo. The owners should have provided temporary but adequate warning,

fire fighting and rescue facilities as well as radio or telephonic

communication with the shore."

Other principal conclusions and recommendations of the Commission are:

* the fire was remarkable for its intensity and the rapidity

with which it engulfed the whole of the Jumbo;

many survivors owe their lives to the actions of members

of the Royal Hong Kong Police and the Fire Services

Department and of private individuals;

* the Ambulance Service responded efficiently to the emergency;

the