Fire_Brigade_1946-1947 — Page 3

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APPENDIX J

REPORT

OF THE

CHIEF OFFICER.

HONG KONG FIRE BRIGADE,

FOR THE

PERIOD 1ST MAY, 1946 TO 31ST MARCH, 1947.

Expenditure and Revenue.

The expenditure of the Brigade for the period under review was $377,798.00.

Revenue totalled $929.00 derived from fees charged for the attendance of firemen and equipment at matshed theatres and other special-duties.

Calls.

The Brigade attended 307 calls. Of these 258 were to actual fires, 38 for special services including house collapses, 9 were false alarms with good intent. There were 2 malicious false alarms.

Serious Fire.

The most serious fire of the period occurred on board the S.S. "Sai On" on the 4th February, 1947 when 132 lives were lost. Fire Brigade personnel rescued 25 persons from the burning ship and the harbour. In the course of rescue operations several members of the Brigade received burns necessitating hospital treatment.

Casualties.

The total number of civilian fatalities from fires and explosions was 150. In addition 18 persons were killed by the collapse of buildings. 101 buried and injured persons were rescued alive from the debris by Firemen. There were no Fire Briade fatalities.