14th APRIL

OBSERVED AS FIRE SERVICE DAY

Every Year 14th April is observed as Fire Service Day in India as a part to pay
homage to those brave Fire Fighters, who sacrificed their live in line to their
duty on 14th April, 1944. Industries observe this day / week as Fire Service day
/ Week and conducts Training, Drills and Rehearsals to demonstrate the
Preparedness to combat emergencies.

We forward this case study for all to study how and what went wrong which
lead to multiply the severity of the accident the toll of which was paid by lives
of thousands of people.

The Ship in which accident took place named S S Fort Stikine having capacity of
7000 Tons belonged to Ministry of War and Transport. The ship left Birkenhead –
UK on 24th February, 1944. Convey of 20 other ships with cargo for Karachi and
Bombay was loaded. The Karachi Cargo Contained RAF Planes, General Stores,
Explosives and Ammunitions. Bombay Cargo was 1395 Tons of Explosives and
Ammunitions and Service Stores. The ship reached Karachi on 30 th March, 1944
where a part of Cargo was discharged, leaving void 2, 86,000 cu. Feet in her hold.
The new Cargo loaded was cotton, timber, lubricating oil, resin, sulphur and other
combustible material. The ship then left Karachi on 9 th April, 1944 and reached
Bombay on 9th April, 1944. No explosives or ammunition were off loaded until the
ship has been alongside for 24 hours.

Now BY LAWS OF B.P.T [Bombay Port Trust]

 A Ship carrying explosives is not allowed into docks, but under Rule
88 of the Defence of India Rules, This By-Law is suspended in case
where Military Officer has given a Certificate of “GRAVE
EMERGENCY”. Such a certificate was issued for S S Stiklite

The ship was anchored at Victoria Dock Bombay and the Memorable Day,
throughout the morning; she was active as cargo hooks swayed a load of
commodities from the S S Fort Stikine. Firemen were at Fire Stations as usual
shining their brass to keep their fire engines shining.

On 14th April, 1944, at 14: 00 hrs.

Whips of smoke noticed from No.: II hold of the ship. Frantic series of short
blast of whistles were heard warning of fire board. The ship crew started pouring
musky water in the ship hold. Fire Engines from Alexander Dock and Air Force
Squad arrived immediately and started hose streams in smoking hold to control
fire spread. The fireman though aware of the dangerous situation, there was no
panic. The prompt arrival of the Fire Engines seemed no reason to think that the
fire could not be controlled. Soon it became apparent that the firemen were
loosing ground. A call was put through to Mumbai Fire Brigade control for
Additional appliances. At 14: 30 hrs. A large part of Fire Service was on pliers.
Total 32 Water Jets came into action pouring gallons of water into ship hold to
quench the fire. The Fire was still gained. There was something preventing the
water from reaching the seat of fire. The deck head under the firemen’s feet grew
hotter and hotter. The water stream played over the deck head turned into steam.
It was now clear that the fire was out of control. Slides and Deck became CHERRY
RED, blenching thick black and brown smoke. Flames shot mast high but sound
never reached firemen’s ear.

16: 05 Hrs. ~ Ground rumbled and EXPLOSION,

S S Fort Stikine Blew Up with its gallant firemen and fire engines
disappeared from the face of earth. No. of ships destroyed nearby. At one
stroke the key port of Bombay was taken out of war.

16: 36 Hrs. ~ SECOND EXPLOSIONS, Results????????

Explosion was heard miles away. Entire Dock upto few kms. Was in flames. 14
other ships standing aside destroyed. 336 people burned. All nearby/around
people and animals died. Many Fire Fighters died or diabled. The Number of
persons so died in the Explosion will never be known and figures are
conflicting. NFPA Handbook listed 731 dead whereas other sources said 1500
Died/Missing and more than 3000 Injured.

Recorded Fatalities were like this

ORGANIZATION KILLED INJURED
Bombay Auxiliary Fire Service 42 85
Bombay Fire Brigade 24 -
Bombay Salvage Corps 12 02
Bombay Port Trust Employees 84 Not Known
City Police 14 55
Ship Crews 41 123
Army 15 30
Air Force - 15
Navy 07 160
Crew of Country Craft 04 10

Couple of months after the Disaster, 3083 people had requested claims for
damage by Fire or Explosion to their property. 11735 had put up Claim for
uninsured properties. 466 Uninsured people claimed as compensation for
personal injuries.

The Compensation paid out 850 Lakhs as damage by fire/explosion. Marine

Insurance was 150 Lakhs. Paid for uninsured a property was 300 lakhs and
personal injuries was 13 lakhs with miscellaneous policies of 4.5 lakhs.

Government of India declared this day of 14 th April every year to be

observed as Fire Service Day in recognition of the valor and sacrifice of
the courageous FIRE FIGHTERS who laid down their lives in Line of their
Duty.

Industries conduct Fire Fighting Training Mock Drills, Fire Drills or Emergency
Drills every year on this day to pay homage and create awareness and
knowledge about handling emergencies in their fellow workers

LET US BE PARTNERS IN
PREVENTING FIRES AND PROTECTING LIFE &PROPERTY