消防局年報 HONG KONG FIRE BRIGADE Annaul Report 1951-1952

| DIEN ET MÓN DROIT

HONG KONG

ANNUAL

DEPARTMENTAL

REPORTS

1951-2

PRICE: $1

FIRE BRIGADE

HONG KONG

ANNUAL DEPARTMENTAL REPORT

BY THE

CHIEF OFFICER, FIRE BRIGADE

FOR THE

FINANCIAL YEAR 1951-2

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER,

HONG KONG.

CONTENTS

FIRES AND OTHER OCCURRENCES

FALSE ALARMS

CAUSES OF FIRES

CASUALTIES

STAFF

APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT

FIRE BOATS

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

STATIONS

HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY

FIRE RISK

Paragraphs

6 7

8 10

11 14

16 - 18

19 21

25 - 30

INSPECTION BRANCH AND FIRE PREVENTION. 32 - 36

AMBULANCE SERVICE

---

AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE

38 - 44

CIVIL AID SERVICES-RESCUE SQUAD

AWARDS

INSTITUTION OF FIRE ENGINEERS

DRIVING INSTRUCTION

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

COMPETITION DRILLS

TRAINING

GENERAL

CONCLUSION

ANNEX I

ANNEX II

ANNEX III

ANNEX IV

ANNEX V

Paragraphs

47 - 48

50 51

Graph showing number of fire calls attended and estimated monetary losses by fire from 1st April, 1951 to 31st March, 1952.

Graph showing cumulative total number of fire calls, 1949/50, 1950/51 and 1951/52.

Station and Plant at 31st March, 1952.

Summary of Ambulance Calls.

Summary of Monthly Inspections.

FIRES AND OTHER OCCURRENCES

Calls received by the Brigade during the year amounted

to 670 as against 661 for the preceding year. Classification of calls are as follows:

Fires

(a) Electrical

(b) Oil

105

(d) Chimney

122

109

(e) Miscellaneous

(f) Cars, etc.

(g) Grass & Undergrowth

(h) Rubbish

(0) Ship

(1) Aircraft

548

False Alarms

With Good Intent

Malicious

Special Service

Landslides, House

Collapses, etc.

TOTAL.

670

Estimated Fire Loss:-$9,865,259.00.

Brief details of serious and fatal fires during the period

under review, are:-

17. 4. 51. S.S. "Victoria Peak". A 04.27 hours on the 17.4.51, the Fire Brigade received a wireless message that the S.S. "Victoria Peak" was on fire and that she was proceeding to Hong Kong for assistance. This vessel of 4,105 tons carried a cargo chiefly of rubber and cotton. The fire was a deep seated and stub- born one and had gained a firm hold on the lower section of the cargo before the arrival of the Fire Brigade. The fire had to be fought with the aid of Breathing Apparatus due to the noxious fumes coming from the hold. Flames at one time were shooting out of the hold and ventilators, and the firemen were handicapped by the intense heat. The fire was brought under control, but serious damage was done to the cargo of rubber by fire, smoke and water. The cause of the fire was presumed to be gun fire which the steamer received outside the Colony. There was no loss of life or casualties.

20. 5. 51. Squatter Area. At about 18.14 hours on 20.5.51, a serious fire broke out in the squatter area on hillside off Tin Hau Temple Road, Causeway Bay. About 300 huts covering an area of approximately 1000′ x 500′ and contents were destroyed. The fire was caused by sparks from a cooking chatty which was left unattended in a squatter hut. No casual- ties were reported. The Auxiliary Fire Service rendered valuable assistance at this fire.

5. 11. 51. 359, Lockhart Road, 3rd floor. A fire occurred at the above address at about 11.09 hours on 5.11.51. The fire was confined to the upper floor where it originated. After the fire had been extinguished, an investigation as to the cause was carried out and

it was discovered that it was a case of arson. A resident of the tenement had deliberately set fire to the building with the use of volatile spirits which he sprinkled over the whole of the flat. Before starting the fire, he attacked various inmates in the flat with a chopper. 3 persons suffered serious injuries and succumbed. 3 other persons also received severe injuries. During the fire fighting operation, the Fire Brigade rescued 2 injured women from the upper floors of the burning build- ing. The criminal was arrested, tried and sentenced to death by the Supreme Court.

21. 11. 51. Squatter Area. At about 19.30 hours on the 21.11.51, a disastrous fire broke out in the squatter area at Tung Tau Village Kowloon City. This fire involved a large number of squatter huts, the great majority of which, being constructed of highly inflammable materials, were destroyed by fire. The fire was brought under control by the Fire Brigade and Auxiliary Fire Service assisted by Army personnel. The difficulty of controlling this fire was increased, as often happens with squatter fires, by the existence in the area of illegal stores of kerosene and other inflammable liquids. Some members of the Fire Brigade suffered superficial injuries during the fire-fighting operations.

3. The Brigade also attended one aircraft crash on 17. 10. 51. A Royal Air Force Vampire jet fighter plane crashed at Kai Tak New Village, Clear Water Bay Road opposite 25 Runway, Kai Tak Airport after over-running the runway on landing. The pilot was injured.

The ship fires listed in §1 include all marine calls, the most serious for the year being the S.S. "Victoria Peak".

5. There was an emergency salvage call to the M.V. "Ping On" which arrived in port in a sinking condition, having sprung a leak on the voyage to Hong Kong. The Fire Boat pumped the water out of the holds while the cargo was hurriedly unloaded; arrangements made for a private salvage company to take over the vessel.

FALSE ALARMS

　Considering the total number of calls received, the incidence of false alarms was not high and 57% were given with good intent.

7. Most malicious false alarms are given by persons who have a general disregard for the public interest and who have no scruples about the abuse of a public service. Although punishments are provided by law, wrong doers of this nature are not easy to locate. The remedy is a higher sense of public responsibility together with heavier penalties for this offence.

CAUSES OF FIRES

8. By far the most common cause of fire was negligence or carelessness such as dirty chimneys, the use of soldering irons near to inflammable materials, the careless use or storage of industrial chemicals and the grinding of aluminium or magnesium under unsuitable conditions.

9. Faulty electric wiring caused a large number of electrical fires.

10. There was one known case of arson.

CASUALTIES

11. 11 persons lost their lives at fires before the arrival of the Fire Brigade, a decrease of 9 as against the number during 1950-1951. No person was reported missing. The Brigade rescued 19 persons from burning buildings,

12. No serious injuries were received by Brigade personnel.

13. Many of the Brigade personnel attending a chemical fire involving Sodium Hydrosulphite at the China Provident Loan & Mortgage Co.'s Godown on 20.11.51, suffered, in varying degree, from the ill effects of the poisonous gases.

14. Special services were rendered by the Brigade for house collapses, landslides, drowning, leaking of dangerous gases, etc. 36 persons lost their lives under this category and 25 persons were rescued by the Brigade. Details are accounted for as follows:-

Landslides

Drowning

House Collapses Miscellaneous

Dead on

recovery

ai có g

Rescued by the Brigade

17 (one died later)

4 (one died later)

STAFF

15. For a considerable time the Brigade has been carrying on with a shortage of Fire Officers owing to the retirement of two expatriate officers and the growth of the Brigade in keeping with the growth of the Colony. Like many brigades, this department is finding it extremely difficult to fill these posts. The standards set for enrolment are high and must be main- tained even if the Brigade is as a result short-handed for a time. Local recruitment continues favourably and practically full strength is maintained in this category.

APPLIANCES AND EQUIPMENT

16. All fire appliances and equipment were over-hauled, tested and maintained in efficient and good working order. Ladders and smaller equipment were made by the workshop staff and placed in commission as and when necessary.

}

MARINE DE

IT LIBRARY

17. The four diesel high performance fire engines, and the twenty trailer fire pumps ordered in connexion with Civil Measures for Defence scheme, arrived in the Colony and were placed in commission during the year under review. The pumping capacities of these appliances are 1,000 and 500/600 gallons per minute respectively.

18. The 100-feet all-steel turntable ladder ordered in 1949 also arrived in the Colony but, on account of slight mechanical defects, both in the engine and in the ladder, were not put into commission during the year under review.

FIRE BOATS

19. The three fire boats operated by the Fire Brigade were regularly slipped, overhauled and maintained by the Marine Department. One is normally moored at the King Shan Wharf in Hong Kong, one at the Public Square Street Pier at Yaumati, and one at Aberdeen.

20. The small landing craft type vessel converted into a fire fighting unit and stationed at Aberdeen harbour was replaced by a properly constructed fire boat during the year.

21. A new and powerful sea-going fire boat was at the end of the year still under construction in Hong Kong & Whampoa Docks, the delivery of certain essential mechanical parts having been delayed. Plans of the boat were drawn up by the Marine Department with the co-operation of this Department.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM

22. The maintenance of the 100 point "A.T.M." close circuit non-interference Fire Alarm System manufactured by the Automatic Telephone & Electric Co., Ltd., of London was carried out by the Hong Kong Telephone Co., Ltd., at the expense of the Government. A similar net-work will be brought

into use in the Kowloon Fire Station districts when the new Fire Station at the junction of Prince Edward Road and Tong Mi Road has been completed. Besides being the most direct method of calling the Brigade, this system also affords an independent means of telephone communication with the Station by personnel at a fire.

STATIONS

23. Approval has been given for the erection of a new Fire Station at junction of Prince Edward and Tong Mi Roads to replace the existing Kowloon Fire Station which is in requisi- tioned premises. The new building is expected to be completed and ready for occupation by the end of December, 1952.

　　24. Approval has also been given by Government for the construction of a Sub Fire Station at Tsun Wan, New Territories to cope with the fire risk arising from recent develop- ment and expansion of the Tsun Wan area. The Sub Fire Station, which will be completed early in the next financial year, will house a towing unit and two trailer pumps and will be manned by 2 Leading Firemen, 2 Firemen Drivers and 6 Firemen.

HYDRANTS AND WATER SUPPLY

25. Fire hydrants were inspected quarterly and all defects reported to the Water Authority for repairs to be effected.

26. At the end of the year the total number of hydrants was 502 pedestal and 1,150 ground, an addition of 20 pedestal and 8 ground as compared with the previous year.

27. Water restrictions continued during the year, handi- capping the Fire Brigade to some extent. At the end of the year arrangements were being made with the Water Authority to provide vehicles and drivers for use in the operation of water valves on receipt of fire calls during restricted hours; this would release for other duties Fire Brigade vehicles and drivers now being used for this purpose.

- 7 -

28. With the approval of this Department some of the ground hydrants in Kowloon area have been fitted with plugs to prevent waste and pollution.

29. Static water tanks ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 gallons capacity have been constructed in convenient positions on Hong Kong Island and on the mainland. These tanks are filled with sea-water where possible and are for use when water mains fail. Full use of these tanks has been made on many occasions when water from the mains has been delayed during restriction hours. 74 of these tanks have been constructed: 54 in Kowloon and 20 in Hong Kong.

30. The installation of sea-water mains has started; when this can be used for fire-fighting there will be a considerable saving of mains water for domestic use.

FIRE RISK

31. In spite of regular visits made, and constant fire prevention lectures given by Fire Brigade Officers to the residents, squatter areas still constitute a very serious fire risk. Huts are constructed with flimsy match-wood material, and are inter-laced together; there are few fire-breaks; some squatter factories make use of dangerous industrial chemicals; cooking is done in almost every hut and oil lamps or candles are used at night; the source of water supply is always far away. Once a fire breaks out, hundreds of these huts can be destroyed in a matter of minutes, rendering thousands of people homeless.

INSPECTION BRANCH AND FIRE PREVENTION

32. The Inspection Branch of the Brigade continued its activities in fire prevention and precautions. 6,895 inspections were made during 1951-1952, 75 more than in the previous year.

33. Legal proceedings were taken against 283 persons during the year for breaches of the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, the Miscellaneous Licences Ordinance and the Celluloid & Cinematograph Film Ordinance, 256 convictions were registered with fines totalling $53,785.00. In some cases illegally stored goods were ordered to be confiscated in addition to fines.

34. Apart from routine inspections required under various Ordinances, the Inspection Branch has devoted much time to "good will" inspections and has made particularly full reports on this aspect of the work. The demand for this kind of inspection has increased considerably and it is hoped that, as time goes on, still more occupiers of office and commercial premises will take advantage of these free facilities.

35. Fire hydrants and fire fighting installations in Govern- ment and private buildings were regularly inspected and tested. Repairs and improvements were recommended where necessary. The maintenance of fire fighting equipment in Government Buildings is one of the regular duties of the Brigade. The inspection of a private building is followed up with a recom- mendation for such maintenance or improvement as is con- sidered necessary, and a further visit is made after one month; it was encouraging to note that in most cases all the recom- mendations were carried out.

　　　　36. Fire drills were given every month to the staff of various Government Departments and hospitals by officers of the Brigade. Instruction was also given in the use of fire fighting apparatus installed in these premises for dealing with incipient fires.

AMBULANCE SERVICE

37. The Fire Brigade undertakes accident cases only, removal cases being performed by the Medical Department or by the St. John Ambulance Brigade and other charitable organizations. The statistics given in Annex IV of this report

show a great increase in the number of the ambulance calls, patients carried and mileage run. The increase was due to the increase in the population of the Colony together with the increased number of motor vehicles on the road. The mileage covered was 50,394 or 7.7 miles per call.

AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE

38. The Auxiliary Fire Service, a branch of the Essential Services Corps, made good progress during the past year. Recruitment was steady, and the strength at the end of the year stood at 414 with a further 20 applicants awaiting for the results of their medical examination. Mr. Bertram Charles HALE was appointed Superintendent, Auxiliary Fire Service, on 18th March, 1952. Many of the vacant senior positions were filled with men selected from those liable for service under the Compulsory Service Ordinance, 1951. These recruits were mostly chosen for their experience and qualifications in engineering, marine and mechanical fields, and are likely to prove most useful in the work of the Auxiliary Fire Service.

39. Training progressed steadily, special benefit being obtained from the Officers' Intensive Training Class, which was started in December, 1951, and was held every week until March, 1952. Normal training took place on five nights each week, viz., Mondays & Fridays for Kowloon Division, Tuesdays and Thursdays for Hong Kong Division, with Wednesday evenings reserved for the Officers' Training Class. With the increase of personnel, however, and the need for more advanced training with pumps and ladders, it was found that the present training facilities at Arsenal Yard were inadequate, and the ground unsuitable. At the end of the year plans for providing better facilities were under consideration.

　　　　40. Interest was stimulated with the arrival of four heavy diesel pumps and 20 "Merryweather Victor" Trailer Pumps. Instruction classes in the operation of these appliances were started, and a number of officers and men became qualified in driving and pumping operations.

41. At the end of the year good progress had been made towards the completion of up-to-date and well fitted control rooms in Hong Kong and Kowloon; when these rooms are ready it will be easier to arrange the training of the A. F. S., especially training in co-operation between fire-fighting and control room personnel, which is of great importance,

　　　　42. During the year under review individuals and units of the Auxiliary Fire Service were on several occasions commended by the Chief Officer, after having been called out for actual service in support of the regular Brigade.

43. Annual competitions were held in Heavy Unit and Light Trailer Pump drills. The finals, judged by the Chief Officer and Deputy Chief Officer, Fire Brigade, were held at No. 2 Police Station Compound, Wanchai, on 19th December, 1951 with the following results:-

(A) Trailer Pump (Heavy Unit) Drill-THE HON. T. N. CHAU

CHALLENGE Shield.

Winner:--- H.K. Division-Sub Officer LEUNG Lai Sang, Fn. Driver No. 599, Fn. Nos. 512, 620, 619 and 509. (Time: 1 minute, 38 seconds.)

(B) Trailer Pump (Light Unit) Drill-THE PHILIP GOCKCHIN

CHALLENGE SHIELD,

Winner :--- Kowloon

Division-Sub Officer Leslie YIU,

Fn. Nos. 706, 698 and 741. Time: 1 minute 51 seconds.)

Individual prizes were generously donated by Messrs. Wah Wai & Company and the Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd.

44. Good progress was made during the year with the provision of amenities for members of the Auxiliary Fire Service. On Hong Kong side there is now a good club at Arsenal Yard, and members in Kowloon enjoy similar facilities in the former A.F.S. headquarters building adjoining Terminus Fire Station.

CIVIL AID SERVICESRESCUE SQUAD

45. At the end of the year, the Rescue Squad was up to full strength with the exception of a Senior Rescue Officer and an Assistant Senior Rescue Officer. Training was almost com- pleted and it was agreed that, when the remaining vacancies had been filled and the full course of training carried out, the unit would be taken over, as a separate unit of the Essential Services Corps, under its own Unit Controller.

AWARDS

46. The following officer and men of the Brigade were awarded the Colonial Police and Fire Brigades Long Service Medal:-

Station Officer WONG Wai Tsoi.

Fireman No. 72 LUI Sam.

No. 113 Ip Man.

No. 98 TUNG Ming.

No. 76 HG Hon Wah.

INSTITUTION OF FIRE ENGINEERS

47. During the year the following two officers became Graduates of the Institution of Fire Engineers by examina- tion:-

Station Officer WONG Wai Tsoi.

W. H. SHIPWAY.

誘

MARINE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY

　　　48. Other members of the Brigade were encouraged to the examination and a number of them were at the end of the year preparing themselves by means of correspondence courses.

DRIVING INSTRUCTION

49. 36 members of the Brigade undertook driving instruc- tion given by the Fire Brigade driving instructors, with the following results:-

5 passed out by the Police Traffic Office as car

drivers.

13 passed out by the Police Traffic Office as lorry

drivers.

18 candidates failed to reach the required

standard.

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

50. Officers of the Brigade gave training and instruction to Boy Scouts in preparation for proficiency badge tests, and the Brigade helped to conduct the examinations for those badges.

51. Officers visited institutes, clubs, schools and squatter areas to lecture on fire fighting and fire prevention.

COMPETITION DRILLS

　　　52. The annual competition drills were very keenly con- tested and the results highly satisfactory. The drills, and successful teams, were as follows:

(A) Motor Escape Drill-THE FIRE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

OF H.K. CHALLENGE SHIELD.

Winner

Sub Officer BOEY Kim Lun, Fn. Dr. No. 47, Fn. Nos. 169, 339, 180, 349 & 259.

(Time: 43 2/5 seconds.)

(B) Motor Pump Drill-THE CHINESE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION

OF H.K. CHALLENGE SHIELD.

Winner:

Sub Officer LAM So Man, Fn. Dr. Nos. 20 and 21, Fn. Nos. 285, 149, 170 and 89.

(Time: 1 minute 55 3/5 seconds.)

CIATION CHALLENGE CUP.

Winner: - Firemen Nos. 239, 193, 149 and Fn. Dr. No. 20. (Time: 1 minute 21 4/5 seconds.)

In addition to the challenge trophies generously donated by the associations referred to above, individual prizes were donated by Mr. A. K. CHAN, and cash prizes were awarded from the Brigade's Welfare Fund.

TRAINING

53. The Training School at Eastern Fire Station continued to undertake the initial training of recruits not only for the Fire Brigade but also for the Civil Aviation Department. The curriculum of the Recruit Training Course includes instruction in the various types of Fire Brigade apparatus and equipment in use in Hong Kong.

GENERAL

54. I append hereto the following:-

I. Graph showing number of fire calls attended and

estimated monetary losses by fire.

II. Graph showing cumulative total number of fire

calls, 1949/50, 1950/51 and 1951/52.

III. Station and Plant.

IV. Summary of Ambulance Calls attended.

V. Summary of Monthly Inspections.

CONCLUSION

　　　　55. In conclusion, I am glad to record that, during the year, I received loyal support and co-operation from all members of the staff of the Fire Department, and to acknowledge my appreciation of the help given to the Brigade by the other depart- ments on whose help it has been necessary to call.

30th June, 1952.

W. J. GORMAN,

A.M.I. Fire E.

Chief Officer, Fire Brigade.

г.

Ꭸ

THOUSAND DOLLARS

9,000-

ANNEX I.

8,000

FIRE BRIGADE DEPARTMENT, HONG KONG, NO. OF FIRE CALLS ATTENDED AND ESTIMATED MONETARY LOSSES BY FIRE, 1st APRIL, 1951 TO 31st MARCH, 1962.

700-

600-

500

400

300

200

100

Calls attended Monetary losses

CALLS

140

APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT. NOV. DEC, JAN. FEB. MAR.

REFERENCE NO. G. 195/240.

120

100

CALIS

1000

ANNEX II.

CUMULATIVE TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRE CALLS

1849/50

1950/51

1051/52

900.

April

10 May

100

June

107

121

146

July

130

147

207

וי

Aug.

178

179

263

Sep.

217

211

293

800.

Oct.

261

250

348

Nov.

333

301

402

Dec.

3A1

108

491

Jan.

459

472

5.72

Feb.

522

669

614

וי

Mar.

583

602

670

יי

700.

6:00

500

400

300

200

100

1949/50

1951/52

1950/51

APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT, NOV. DEC. JAN. FED

REFERENCE NO. G. 195/240.

MAR.

ANNEX III

STATION AND PLANT AT 31ST MARCH, 1952.

STATION

HONG KONG :-

Central

Eastern

Western

Shaukiwan

Aberdeen

King Shan Wharf

A.F.S. Training

Depot

PLANT

Hong Kong Fire Brigade

Auxiliary Fire Service

Motor Pumps

Motor Es-

capes (with Pump)

Turn- Em-

table ergency Lad- Ten- ders ders

Trai- ler Pumps

Bout

Fire Ambu- Motor Trailer lances Pumps Pumps

KOWLOON & NEW

TERRITORIES:-

Kowloon

www.

Terminus

Public Square St.

Pier

Un Long

Tai Po

Cheung Chau

Tai O

Sai Kung

Sheung Shui

Tsun Wan

TOTAL

1 1

Months

ANNEX IV

SUMMARY OF AMBULANCE CALLS

No. of Calls No. of Patients Miles Run

April,

1951

May,

452

446

3,581

542

549

4,293

June,

July,

August,

638

+++

658

4,801

643

667

4,815

622

662

4,928

September,

576

611

4,263

October,

609

627

4,623

November,

434

448

3,464

December, **

505

513

3,774

January, 1952

526

511

4,022

February,

473

502

3,711

March,

508

519

4,119

TOTAL

6,528

6,713

50,394

April, 1951 March, 1592

6,528

6,713

50,394

April, 1950 - March, 1951

4,862

4,956

39,384

)

INCREASE:

1,666

1,757

11,010

ANNEX V

MONTHLY SUMMARY OF INSPECTIONS

April, '61

May, '51

19, unf

July, '61

August, '51

Garages

Theatres & Cinemas

Boarding Houses

Factories & Workshops

Restaurants

Eating Houses &

Timber Yards & Storages

+ N

Sept., *51

October, '51

Nov.. '51

Dec.. '51

January, '62

29, "uniq36

March, '52

TOTAL

266

449

的

117

126

149

127

10 t

100

Buildings

High & Low Flash

: |

927

Inflammable

Liquids

199

170

918

Petrol Pumps

133

Kerosene stored in shops

160

200

511

Dangerous Goods in General!

107

284

207

193

Offensive Trades

Fireworks Storages

Vernacular Schools

122

135

122

ΠΕ

181

1,639

309

Dancing Halls & Academies

Fire Service Installations

432

---

Printing Presses

116

300

Miscellaneous

788

www

TOTAL

714

1,103

604

551

406

521

566

546

473

410

413

588

6,895