Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 133

No. 1906

HONGKONG.

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FIRE BRIGADE, FOR THE YEAR 1904.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of

His Excellency the Governor.

FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT, HONGKONG, 10th February, 1905.

SIR, I have the honour to submit the following report on the Government Fire Brigade, for the year 1904.

2. There were 57 Fires and 64 Incipient Fires during the year, as against 49 and 55 in 1903. The Brigade turned out 63 times during the year.

The estimated damage caused by Fires was $761,736.00 and by Incipient Fires $743.00.

3. There was an intermittent supply of water in the mains from 1st January to 3rd July, during which period sea water was used as much as possible in order to save the fresh, water.

4. One serious Fire occurred during the period of intermittent water supply, on 25th February, at No. 444 Des Voeux Road West, where six houses were wholly or partly destroyed, and the total damage was estimated at $62,000, part of which was covered by insurance.

5. Five Fires occurred in the Harbour during the year.

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6. Two cases of attempted arson were discovered, one at No. 45 Gough Street on the morning of the 20th March by District Watchman No. 41 who raised an alarm and with the assistance of the occupants of the first floor extinguished the fire before much damage was done. The two men were prosecuted for arson, they were convicted at the Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with hard labour. The other was at No. 123 Wellington Street on 8th September when an employé of the Restaurant on the 2nd floor set fire to some furniture. He was convicted at the Criminal Sessions and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour.

7. Two large fires took place at the Kowloon Godowns.

On 10th April at 2.50 p.m. fire broke out in Godown No. 22 of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company followed almost immediately by several explosions. The Brigade with No. 3 Engine and the Floater were soon at the scene of the fire and also the Engines from the Torpedo Depôt and the Godowns, but owing to the inflammable nature of the goods stored in the Godown and the explosions that took place, the fire spread rapidly to Godowns Nos. 21 and 23. The explosions were caused by the bursting of large iron cylinders containing carbonic acid gas. The damage is estimated at $100,000, which was covered by insurance.

The second fire took place on 29th April at 12.05 a.m. in Godown No. 9 in which a large quantity of hazardous goods were stored. The Brigade and also the Engines from the Torpedo Depôt and Godowns were turned out promptly, but owing to the inflammable nature of the goods the godown was completely gutted. The damage, which is covered by insurance, is estimated at $80,000.

This fire was caused by fumes of arrack coming in contact with a lighted gas lamp, and the first fire probably originated in the same manner.

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8. I attach a list of places where Fire Despatch Boxes are kept and of private telephones to which the Police have access in the event of a fire. I also enclose a copy

of a report by the Engineer on the state of Fire Engines, which are all in good order.