EXPLOSION IN BACH

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30960, 17 January 1966, Page 10

EXPLOSION IN BACH

Four Taken To Hospital

Four persons were admitted to Burwood Hospital on Saturday night after a white spirit lamp had exploded in a holiday home at Stalkers road, Woodend beach. A fifth person who was just leaving the room at the time of the explosion was not injured.

The injured persons are:— Mrs Shirley May Botting, of 748 Brynley street. Islington, who suffered burns to her hands and face. Her condition last night was satisfactory. Mr Leo James Botting, her husband, who suffered burns to his arms. His condition last night was comfortable. Mrs Helen Jessie Reynolds, of 21 Smarts road, Hornby, who suffered burns to her hands and face. She was admitted to hospital on Saturday night and was discharged last night. Mr A. E. Reynolds, her husband, who suffered burns to his hands, arms and forehead. He also was admitted to hospital on Saturday night and was discharged last night. The fifth person in the room and who escaped injury was Mr Kevin O’Brien.

Mr and Mrs Botting and Mr and Mrs Reynolds were sitting playing cards with the white spirit lamp between them on the table. The bach has no electric lighting. The explosion shifted the foot of the exterior wall of the bach about 18 inches, while the base of the lamp flew across the room and knocked a hole in the plaster of an interior wall. Mr O’Brien was just leaving the room when the explosion occurred and the blast knocked him out through the doorway. A small fire followed the explosion and in putting it out Mr Botting suffered some of his injuries. The fire did little damage.