UNUSUAL CAUSE OF SEVERE EXPLOSION

Chronicle (Levin), 13 July 1946, Page 5

UNUSUAL CAUSE OF SEVERE EXPLOSION

-Press Association

THREE PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL WITH BTJRNS

By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, July 12. The proprietor, his wife and their j sou were admitted to Auckland Ilospi- j tal sutfering from severe burns as the 1 result of an explosion and fire at the J baek of a milk bar ainl conrectionery ; shop in Tamaki Drive, St. Heliers, shortly before 8 o'clctck toniglit. They ' were Walter Alexander Caldwell, aged ! 49, of St. Heliers, who suffered burns ' to the head and arms and shock; Mrs. ' Lorna Irene Caldwell, aged 43, who suffered burns to the botly and shock; and Iiobert James Caldwell, aged 25, ; single, warehouseman, who suffered . burns to the head, arms, body and legs, and severe shock. The explosion occurred w-hen Robertj Caldwell, who had been mending a tyre on his car, was washing his hands with petrol near an ignited gas califont behind a partition at the back of the shop. Completely enveloped in flaines he dashed to the front of the premises and then dashed down to the beaeli aud into the sea to extinguish the flames. Mr. Caldwell, senr., and Alrs. Caldwell, who had been attending to two customers, were also enveloped in flames. The interior of the shop was wrecked. Three fire engines were despatched to the scene from Tamaki, Remuera and Parnell stations. Interviewcd at his home afterwards, Mr. J. XV. Frogley, of 27 Woodside Crescent, St. lleliers, said he and his wife were in the tuilk bar purchasing chocolates and 'eigarettes w-hen the , building was rocked by an explosion. | There was a flash of flamc and Cald-. jwell, junr., rushed out trom the baek with his clothing ablaze and jumped over the refrigerator and through the j opening in front of tlie sliop used for 1 serving customers. . /