§ Mr. Burdenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now issue the report of the official inquiry into the fire which destroyed the No. 2 Slipway at Chatham Dockyard in July last.
§ Mr. FoleyAs the hon. Member was informed on 21st July, it is not normal to publish reports of Service Boards of Inquiry, but I am now able to make a statement on the fire at Chatham Dockyard in No. 2 Slip. A large building erected in 1700, it was of unique wooden construction and of considerable historical interest. The building was used as a naval store for packed equipment, copper tubing, packaging material and some sailing gear.
The Board of Inquiry concluded that the fire started as a result of the action of an employee who has since been discharged. It spread very rapidly, partly because of the explosion of wood and other dust which has accumulated in the wood members over centuries, and partly because the open-ended structure of the building formed a natural wind tunnel which drove the fire its whole length. As a result of the fire, the building and its 160W contents were completely destroyed. As previously stated, 41 people received minor injuries. The total loss is estimated at about £80,000.
The Board of Inquiry made an exhaustive investigation into the adequacy of the fire precautions and prevention measures in the slip, and in the light of their recommendations we are undertaking a review of the fire precautions for all old buildings used as stores.