SERIOUS EXPLOSIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2429, 7 April 1915, Page 6

SERIOUS EXPLOSIONS

AT ELECTRIC LIGHT AND GAS WORKS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Ashburton, April 6. By a strange coincidence, two explosions occurred in Ashburton last evening—one at the Ga3 Company's works at the north end of the town, and the "other at the Electric Light Company's powerhouse at the south end. In the latter'case, an assistant engineer, named R. C. Price, was starting one of the large coupled engines to generate power for the evening light at about 5.40 p.m., when the gas expansion chamber at the back - of the engine exploded. The concussion blew up several of the iron plates surrounding the enginos, wrecking the skylight while several pipes were also wrencned loose. Price was knocked over, and later it was found that he was suffering from shook and that his right leg was badly injured. At about 8 o'clock, people living near the gasworks were start led by a' loud explosion, and immediately afterwards a lurid flame shot up to a height of nearly 60ft. from the engine-room at the works. There was only one man oil duty, John Henry Ibell, married, about forty years of age, who acts as a stoker, etc. As he was found suffering from burns and shock, and was removed, to the Hospital immediately, no definite statement as to the nature of the accident could be obtained.

Inquiries made this morning go to show that Ibell went into the engineroom to look for a nut or tap on the floor and bent low with a lighted match in his hand, There is a wooden floor to the engine-room, and it is surmised that a quantity of foul gas had accumulated there and taken fire when the light was placed close to it. The engine-room was a building with brick sides and tiled roof. The latter was blown off and wrecked and' a good part of the brick work was blown down but none of the machinery was damaged. Tho explosions affected neither the gas nor electric light service in the town. The sufferers are progressing satisfactorily.