Jaffe Road, Hong Kong
49. A disturbing fire situation developed a little before midnight on 13th October, 1963 in two 5 storey R.C.C. buildings in the congested area of Wan Chai. The fire started in the ground floor of one of the build- ings which was being used for retreading tyres. It spread rapidly to the upper floors and thence across balconies to the next building. The road was blocked with parked cars and lorries and the water mains were empty. Fortunately on this occasion the harbour was a short distance away, and a salt water relay was put into operation by the 'Dual 1st At- tendance' which enabled the fire to be brought under control in just over an hour. Six occupants of the flats on the upper floors of the buildings involved were rescued by Fire Service personnel. The absence of the breakdown and emergency towing units on order was greatly missed at this incident where only one appliance, namely, a Water Tower, could negotiate the fire area. Had this not been so, several blocks would have rapidly become involved.
Tai Nam Street, near Castle Peak Road, Kowloon
50. One of the most expensive fires of the year broke out in a late afternoon on 25th October on the top floor of a 6 storey R.C.C. building being used for the manufacture of clothing. The fire was caused by an overturned candle left behind igniting nearby clothing. It was brought under control within 45 minutes but not before some $530,000 of damage had taken place, the majority by heat, and water on the lower floors. Total value at risk was three times the loss.
Mo Fan Road, Ngau Tau Kok
51. A range of one and two storey buildings of stone and wooden structures were destroyed at a fire which broke out at 5 p.m. on 21st October, 1963, causing damage amounting to $230,000. The property at risk which included a variety of industrial products was valued at a little under $1 m. Two persons were injured and detained in hospital.
646 Castle Peak Road, 5th floor, Kowloon
52. Another example of fires in industry occurred during mid morning on 4th December, 1963 at Castle Peak Road on the 5th floor of an R.C.C. building when dust from polyester ornaments in a polishing room was ignited by an electrical fault in a wandering lead. Although the fire was brought under control by the use of salt water within 40 minutes, damage
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