Explosive cargo under threat from ship fire at harbour

The blast occurred in the pump room of a vessel, ‘Alignity’ which had 800 tons of petrol on board.

The ‘Andonita’ which was docked adjacent, was carrying 20 tons of gelignite.

Engineer William Fanagh, from Liverpool, was injured by the first blast.

The section leader of Carrickfergus Fire Brigade sustained a fractured hip when he attempted to extinguish flames in the pump room with foam.

An attempt was made to discharge the cargo to petroleum tanks nearby.

The Times reported Deckhand Laurence Line saying: “I was thrown onto my back by the blast.

“The fireman was flung back 15 ft by the force of the blast and injured his hip.

“There was a second blast but the firemen got down to the task with courage.”

The crews from both ships were taken to homes at Irish Quarter where householders gave them breakfast.

Children from Model Primary who had to leave their classrooms as a precaution played in a field nearby.