A Naval instruction film on the dangers of nitrate film fire.

After a brief dramatised scene, the film consists mainly of demonstrations: reels of film are ignited, both unrolled and tightly wound; the continuance of smouldering decomposition, emitting explosive/toxic fumes, if the fire is incorrectly fought, is illustrated; burning reels are unsuccessfully attacked with water, many types of fire extinguisher, and asbestos blankets: only treatment within ten seconds of outbreak with a gas/water extinguisher is shown to be effective. Projector, projection booth and rewind-room equipment, procedures, safety precautions and classic errors are examined to show that almost all fires are the result of carelessness, and almost all damage the result of incorrect attack. Impressive film of a 20-can fire concludes the illustration: the film ends with a summary.