Fire_Brigade_1955-1956 — Page 9

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6th Dec., 1955-On the 6th December, 1955, a fire broke out at No. 170, Hai Tan Street, Shum Shui Po. The call was received at Kowloon Fire Station at 01.21 hours, and 2 fire appliances and 1 ambulance responded immediately. On receipt of the 3rd alarm at 01.26 hours, additional fire appliances and ambulances were despatched. On arrival of the first fire appliance, it was found that a three floored tenement house was well alight on all floors and that the roof had already caved in. The fire was brought under control at 02.04 hours. The ground floor of the premises was well stocked with firewood, charcoal, peanut oil and old motor tyres. The premises were of the old type and housed more than 70 persons. All internal con- struction, other than the rear kitchens, was of wood. There was only one staircase and this was separated from the shop by a wooden partition of approximately 7/8′′ timber which appeared to have been alight in the early stages of the fire and this was the main reason why the escape of all persons on the first and upper floors was cut off. The fire spread with remarkable rapidity, as was made apparent by the number of people who were cut off and trapped inside. A number of the inmates saved their lives by jumping from the front verandah before the arrival of the first fire appliance. The call was a late one and on arrival of the first fire appliance at 01.24 hours, the whole building was well alight with flames belching out from the front. The rapid destruction of the wooden staircase accounted for the heavy casualties which were recorded as 8 dead and 14 injured.

17th Dec., 1955-On the 17th December, 1955, a fire broke out at No. 283, Main Street West, Saukiwan.

The call was received at 14.27 hours and the

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