.
44
(iii) Additional remarks.
It will be seen that the total quantity of unstable film found is very small. One of the dangers, in fact, of bulk packs of celluloid is that its stability as a whole is not greater than that of its most unstable portion, since only a small amount of material is needed to ignite the whole.
Another consideration is worth noting with respect to this commodity. It may perhaps best be shewn by a comparative table of the differences in quality between motion picture film and the washed product:
Motion picture film.
Product of high price, carefully controlled
in quality.
Never very old, as after a few years becomes
useless for showing.
Each roll packed individually in a can.
Must be kept clean.
Usually stored in relatively small quantities.
Presence of gelatine emulsion tends to
"damp" effects of fire to some extent.
Washed film.
A relatively low-priced waste product. Quality much more variable.
Nearly always older.
Packed
500 lbs. in one container. Need not be specially clean.
Stored in bulk.
No gelatine emulsion.
(iv) Origin of the instability.
No theory to account for the cause of the instability can be put forward. As it is particularly marked in certain splices, it may have been an accidental con- tamination of the film cement used; but no data are available from which a reliable conclusion can be drawn.
7. SUMMARY.
Investigations of the fire were commenced on 23rd September, 1948 and concluded this present day.
The premises of No. 5 Godown were examined and the commodities and surroundings, as found after the fire, are described in the Report.
A quantity of film found in the roadway was found to be nitrate film. The stack of drums which had contained this commodity was examined and described.
Effects of the explosion and blast were noted. The small window in Scavenging Lane was described and a theory for its condition formulated.
The upstairs flats, and premises generally, were examined. The observa- tions made were correlated with the burning of the commodities in the godown.
The explosion which occurred was noted to be a normal feature of celluloid
fires.
The contents of No. 5 Godown were identified as far as possible, and rough quantities given.
Early theories of origin of the fire were described, as follows:
Electrical theory of origin.
Theory of ignition by material descending flue-pipe.
Theory of ignition by human agency.
Theory of ignition by agency of calcium cyanamide.
Theory of ignition by impure caustic soda.
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