51a
["News and Notes", The West Australian, Monday 23 January 1911, page 6]
...
Fire on the s.s. Koombana.--At 11 o'clock on Saturday night an alarm of fire was given in the Adelaide s.s. Co.'s North-West coastal liner Koombana. which is berthed at Victoria Quay. Smoke was noticed issuing from the ventilators of No. 2 and No. 3 holds, and investigation showed that about four or five tons of fodder stowed in the holds mentioned were on fire, the cause of which was attributed to spontaneous combustion. The alarm was quickly conveyed to the Fremantle Fire Station, and with commendable promptitude the Fremantle Fire Brigade motor engine was on the scene. Within a few seconds three lines of hose from the motor directed an aggregate stream of 350 gallons per minute on to the fodder. A little later the Harbour Trust fire plant was also requisitioned, and helped to flood the holds, in which work the ship's gear likewise assisted. By 4 o'clock yesterday morning the fire was pronounced to be extinguished, and operations were then commenced to pump the holds out. No damage was done to the ship itself. During the proceedings the captain of the German-Australian liner Augsburg sent along a smoke helmet to the Koombana for use. As it was not necessary at the time the helmet was not utilised, but the patent, which impressed the members of the fire brigade, was inspected with great interest.
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51b["Telegrams", The Hedland Advocate (Port Hedland, WA), Saturday 28 January 1911, page 4]
Koombana Again On Fire
Perth, January 23.
At 11 o'clock on Saturday night an alarm of fire was given on board the s.s. Koombana. Smoke was noticed issuing from ventilators of Nos. 2 and 3 holds, and investigations showed about four or five tons of fodder on fire. On Sunday morning the fire was pronounced to be extinguished, and operations were then commenced to pump the holds out. No damage was done to the ship itself. Withing a few moments after the alarm was given the Fremantle fire brigade and ships company were all engaged in the work of extinguishing the fire. The fire is attributed to spontaneous combustion.