Fire_Brigade_1954-1955 — Page 10

5. The Brigade was called out to 16 fires on ships, none of which were serious but on two occasions the damage sustained was somewhat heavy.

The first occasion was on 7th April, 1954 when a fire broke out on the M.V. "Southern Glory", a steel vessel of about 80 tons gross, berthed at Kwong Cheung Hing Shipyard, Cheung Sha Wan, due to defective electrical wiring igniting wooden panel frames. Although the fire was brought under control in less than 10 minutes, the damage sustained was estimated to be $10,000. The second fire occurred on the 18th May, 1954 in the hold of M.V. "Union Trader”, a 3,600-ton vessel lying alongside Hong Kong Electric Co. Ltd. Wharf at North Point. Workmen were at work in No. 4 Hold and the sparks of the Oxy-acetylene torch they were operating fell onto some inflammable material which started the fire. Two fire boats, the "Alexander Grantham" and No. 2 Fire Boat, arrived early on the scene and had the fire quickly under control. The damage reported amounted to $11,000.

6. Although the number of special service calls has increased as compared with the preceding year, none of them were of a serious nature. These generally include landslides, house collapses, drowning, suicides and other miscellaneous incidents, such as rescuing trapped persons and animals.

FALSE ALARMS

The number of false alarms was low and 80% of these calls were given with good intent. Prompt action taken by the Police in apprehending culprits who originated malicious false alarms may have had some deterrent effect.

CAUSES OF FIRES

8. Careless handling and negligent use of inflammable liquids were still by far the most common causes of fires. The indiscriminate discarding of lighted cigarette ends and children

4

Page 10Page 11