FIRES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1044, 6 February 1911, Page 5

FIRES.

A BENZINE EXPLOSION. ~ TWO ifEN INJURED.. (By Telegraph—Prcsß Association.) Christchurch, February 5. By an explosion of, benzine, whjch took placo'in the city this morning, two men narrowly escaped with their lives, ono, S. T.' Patterson, shorthand typist, was somewhat severely burned, and the other, H. Kernahan, was not quite so badly burned. Both wore taken to tho hospital, but ICernahan was able to go to his liome after his burns wero attended to. Patterson is still in tho hospital, and was not well enough in the afternoon to see a reporter. Tho iiro brigade received an alarm shortly after hnlf-pasfc eleven, and was soon at the premises where the explosion took place, in Hereford Street, almost opposite the Tourist Department's office, premises are . occupied as offices, Patterson's office being a back room on the first floor. It appears that Patterson and Kernahan were erigaged in the preparation of some sort of varnish, when accidentally a lighted gas ring that was in nso .I*6ll into a tin of benzine, which instantly exploded and enveloped the men in flames. Patterson Was burned about the head and shoulders. Tho brigade got tho flames out promptly, confining the damage done practically to Patterson's office, tho contents being practically destroyed. Tho contents of tho office beneath, occupied by Wm. Hoban, solicitor, wero damaged by' water. Tho premises are owned by. Messrs. Tonks., Norton, and Company,. and are insured in tho Atlas Offico for JC9OO. Mr. Hoban's property is insured in tho Royal Offico for .£125. The insurances on the contents of Mr. Patterson's offico were not ascertainable.

DUMGREE PLANTATION DAMAGED. (By TelcErauli—Press Association.! Blenheim, February 4. On Thursday afternoon a fire broke out in the Dumgree plantation, where there-aro several hundred acres of trees planted a few years ago by prison labour. Despite tho efforts of'a'gang.of men to extinguish the fire, the flames swept over a: hundred acres containing all the best trees. Tho.damage is estimated at from £400 to .£SOO.