XN000022-1974-07-28 — Page 2

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SUNDAY, JULY 28, 1974

FIRES IN FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 1974

TEN PER CENT UP ON LAST YEAR

FIGURES RELEASED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY REVEAL THAT THE NUMBER OF FIRE CALLS DEALT WITH THE FIRST SIX KONTHS OF 1974 TOTALLED 3,741 - ABOUT 10 PER CENT UP ON THE FIGURE FOR THE SAHE PERIOD OF 1973 WHEN THERE WERE 3,409 CALLS.

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THE ESTIMATED MONETARY VALUE OF FIRE LOSSES WAS FORE THAN $26 MILLION.

THE NUMBER OF DONESTIC FIRES WAS 582, OF WHICH 26 VERE IN FACTORIES IN DOMESTIC PREMISES. THERE WERE 167 FACTORY FIRES.

THE MAIN CAUSES OF FIRE CONTINUED TO BE CARELESS DISPOSAL OF LIGHTED CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES (1,147 FIRES) AND ELECTRICAL FAULTS (529 FIRES).

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID: +SMOKERS ARE URGED NOT TO THROW THEIR CIGARETTE ENDS ON THE GROUND, BUT TO DISPOSE OF THEM IN ASH TRAYS OR CANS.+

HE ADDED THAT MANY ELECTRICAL FAULT FIRES RESULTED THROUGH LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND URGED FACTORY OUMERS AND HOUSEHOLDERS TO HAVE THEIR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY OR APPLIANCES REGULARLY CHECKED BY QUALIFIED, ELECTRICIANS.

PROHIBITION HOURS FOR LORRIES ON COTTON TREE DRIVE EXTENDED

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THE EXISTING PROHIBITION ON THE MOVEMENT OF GOODS VEHICLES ON COTTON TREE DRIVE ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL BE EXTENDED TO FACILITATE TRAFFIC FLOU DURING THE MORNING PEAK PERIOD AS WELL.

THE EXISTING PROHIBITION HOURS ARE FROM 4.30 P.M. TO 6.30 P.M., FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY INCLUSIVE. THEY WILL BE EXTENDED WITH EFFECT FROM TUESDAY (JULY 39) TO COVER THE PERIOD FROM 7.30 A.M. TO 9.30 A.M. FROM MONDAY TO SATURDAY.

BETWEEN THESE HOURS, COODS VEHICLES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE SECTION OF COTTON TREE DRIVE BEYOND THE SLIP ROAD TO KENNEDY ROAD, OR ENTER THE DRIVE VIA THE THREE SLIP ROADS AT HELENA MAY INSTITUTE, ST. JOHN'S BUILDING, AND FROM KENNEDY ROAD.

APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED.

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