search the debris to find out if any other persons had been killed. This task was undertaken until all missing persons had been accounted for. The last body was found at about 11.20 a.m. on the same day; bringing the total number of deaths at this fire to 6, which would account for all missing persons. 33 stone, brick and wood structures of 1 and 2 storeys covering an area of 180 ft. x 75 ft. were severely damaged by the fire.
26th March, 1959–No. 3, LUEN FAT STREET, 2ND FLOOR, HONG KONG At 09.46 hours on 26th March, 1959 a call was received to a fire at this address, a 4-storey brick and concrete structure. The fire was supposed to have been caused by burning embers falling into waste paper from an unattended chatty in the rear cubicle of the second floor. A Pump/escape, three Pumps, a Turntable Ladder, an Emergency Tender, a Turncock Lorry, a Hose Lorry, Fire Boat No. 2, a Radio Van, two Ambulances and a Canteen Van were in attendance. On the arrival of the Fire Brigade, dense smoke and flames were belching out from the second floor verandah of the house. The escape ladder was pitched to the third floor to effect rescue from adjoining house No. 1; a total of 4 persons were rescued unhurt. The fire was brought under control at 10.17 hours.
6. Apart from the fires mentioned above, there were 33 other out- breaks of fire in squatter areas in the Colony. This represents a slight increase over the previous year.
SPECIAL SERVICES
7. The number of special service calls was smaller than in the previous year. Some of the more serious disasters which required the services of the Fire Brigade are mentioned below:
17th May, 1958- COLLAPSE OF ALHAMBRA CINEMA THEATRE
At 10.30 hours the Fire Brigade received an urgent call for assistance to the Alhambra Cinema Theatre, Nathan Road, Kowloon, where the reinforced concrete roof had collapsed during demolition. 3 fire appliances and 5 ambulances followed by 4 additional Fire Brigade appliances were despatched to carry out rescue operations. The main part of the cave-in missed the dress circle and crashed down on to the stage and the front auditorium; 20 demolition workers who were on the roof at the time were flung to the floor of the theatre. The number of work-
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