DINERS LEAVE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19990, 15 July 1939, Page 16

DINERS LEAVE

GAS IN RESTAURANT SULPHUROUS FUMES ESCAPE FROM WORKSHOP LIKE A.R.P. REHEARSAL (I’m- Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. Sulplurous fumes of pungent gas drove people from a city restaurant yesterday morning. Coughing and choking and wiping streaming eyes, they rushed out on to the pavement where fresh air gave speedy relief. Nevertheless, an hour after the occurrence there were complaints of chest, constriction and smarting eyes. The- "attack'’ occurred shortly after 10 o'ciock when the restaurant wa.s filled with about aO people taking morning tea. Without warning, the gas made iis presence felt and there was an exodus reminiscent of scenes at an air raid precautions rehearsal. The .gas was sulphur dioxide, a colourless gas of pungent, suffocating odour which may be produced by me burning of suiphur. it came from a workshop above the restaurant where repairs were being made to a rauliy cylinder valve, tfeing heavier man air, tne gas percolated through the floor to tne crowded room oe--IUW.

The manager of the workshop Seated tnat tne suipnur dioxide was not considered a dangerous gas, Demg used to a considerable extent for refrigerating purposes. Smalt quantities couid have no ill effect; in fact, he added, a whiff was good for a cold owing to its pungent nature. Large quantities, however, would soon produce unconsciousness if released, in a confined space.

The manager said that the gas was .stored in a large cylinder which was equipped with an escape valve leading to the roof of the building. When there was excess pressure, quantities of gas were released. Under normal conditions, the gas speedily dispersed, but there were occasions when it descended to the mwer parts of the building and caused annoyance.