The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-05-11
THE LATE FIRE.
REPoRl Of COMMITTEE OF INvEsTI-
CATION.

The committee appointed by the
King in Cabinet Council to investi-
gate the cause, etc., of the late
fire, have made the following report:
To HIS MAJESTY THE KING IN
CABINET CoUNcIL-Sire The under
signed Committee appointed by Your
Majesty to investigate and report
upon the cause of the fire which
devastated large portion of the
city OF Honolulu, on the 18th day
of April ultimo, would respectfully
state that having made due inquiry
into the matters for which they were
appointed, and examined all the
testimony available, and having also
obtained valuable assistance and
suggestions from the Chief Engineer
of the Fire L.pdrtment and his
Assistants, as also from other citi-
zens of experience, they, the Com
miltee, do find:
First-The fire started in back
room in the upper story of the two
story wooden building, situated on
the easterly corner of Hotel street
and Smiths lane, the lower story of
the building being occupied as
restaurant.
Second-The cause is somewhat
uncertain. The Chinese examined
state as their belief that gambling
game or lottery, in which large
number of tickets were used, was
in progress. A dispute arose. and
the tickets we're seized by one of
those present and thrust into a fire,
which was burning in the room. A
scuffie then ensued, during which
the fire was scattered over the floor,
and in a moment the room was in
blaze. Some twenty or more China
men were seen running out from the
upper story when the fire broke out.
Third-As to the reason of the
fire being so quickly uncomfortable;
(a) The streets were too narrow
to permit the Fire Department to
work to advantage in the commence
ment.
CD The blocks of houses were
too large and compact, the distance
from street to street was too great,
and the modes of ingress difficult,
and during fire, dangerous.
(c) The overhanging balconies or
verandas projecting into the streets
proved fire traps and ready means
Of spreading the fire.
(d) The storage of gunpowder,
kerosene, and other combustibles
was greatly in excess of the amount
allowed by law.
(e) The inhammable nature of a
large proportion of the Chinese
merchandise, such as the different
varieties of food preserved in oil,
etc.
Fourth-As to the Water Supply :
The water mans on Beretania, Hotel
and King streets are too small to
supply the steam fire engines now
in use, and the fire plugs are wholly
inadequate, being only Il inches
diameter.
Fifth--Our Fire Department
worked heroically, and their efforts
were bravely seconded by the officers
and crews of the British men-of.wal
Heroine and Satellite, by our native
troops, and by our citizens gene
rally.
Sixth-The present apparatus ant
equipment with, perhaps, an add
tional supply of hose, is amply
sufficient for our present require
ments.
And your Committee would nov
most respectfully recommend a
follows, viz. That the widening ant
Strengthening of the streets in tin
burnt district, and the opening o
new ones therein, in accordance will
the recommendation of the Jury
duly appointed for that purpose, b.
carried out fully and promptly.
That the limit for lire-proof build
ings be extended to cover as nue.
of the burnt district as possible.
That fire walls be erected at pro
per fixed distances in that part O
the burnt district where il may b