Fire_Brigade_1959-1960 — Page 11

and the ground floor as a goldsmith's and rattan-ware shop, all of which were seriously damaged by fire and water. Fourteen occupants were rescued by means of jumping sheets, escapes and turntable ladders. All of the injured persons were removed to hospital by Fire Brigade ambulances. The fire was under control at 18.40 hours.

23rd February, 1960– Kiu Kiang Street, No. 147, KowLOON,

At 19.46 hours on 23rd February, 1960, a call was received to a fire at the above address which was occupied by the Champion Rubber Factory on the ground floor, and as dwellings on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. The fire spread rapidly to roof level along a range of roof squatter huts. The Fire Brigade used 14 jets from 5 motor pumps from pedestal hydrants, with two Turntable Ladders as water towers, to extinguish the fire, which was brought under control at 21.23 hours. The contents involved in the fire were machinery, printing press, rubber, plastic, cotton, domestic furniture and personal effects. This was a very serious fire.

SPECIAL SERVICE

3. 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:

22nd April, 1959-EXPLOSION AT RICHMOND POLICE POST, TSUEN

WAN

At 10.02 hours on 22nd April, 1959, a call was received to an electrical outbreak of fire at Richmond Police Post, TWSK Route, Tsuen Wan. On arrival of the Fire Brigade, the outbreak of fire was found to be in a generator plant. The fire was being fed by petrol and oil at the base of the generator. A few minutes after operations had begun to extinguish the fire, an explosion occurred which unfortunately injured one Police Constable and eleven members of the Fire Brigade. They were all removed to Kowloon Hospital by Fire Brigade ambulances and detained.

June, 1959-RAINSTORM INCIDENTS

From the 12th to 16th June, 1959, an abnormal rainstorm occurred in the Colony resulting in serious damage to buildings and properties, with heavy casualties in various parts of the Colony due to landslides and collapse of houses and squatter

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