THE BLUE FIRE EXPLOSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6497, 23 December 1881, Page 5

THE BLUE FIRE EXPLOSION.

[Bt TxtßottAru.J [PHOM QVU OWW COIIHfiBPOJfD»KTj WELLINGTON, Die. 22. The dreadful accident of last night has created a profound sensation in town, and white sinoero;«ympa(by is felt far the husband of (ho victim, people shudder to think what might have been tho consequence of hit leaving so terrible an explosive unguarded even tor a moment. Fortunately, fearful though tho result has been, tho explosion did not occur indoors, as in that case many lives would doubtless have been sacrifled, for the resistance offered inside tho building would have probably resulted in the entire demolition of tho promises. The compound was made for a pyrotechnic display in tho Wainrap* daring the festive lesson, and one’s hair bristles to think that so dangerous a mixture should have been manufactured for such an occasion. Mr Anthony, the husband of the deesased lady, and manager for Mr fiamud, the chemist, on whose premises the explosion took place, says, he is totally unable to account tot the mishap, and it does not appear to have been known by any one on the premises, that water dashed on the mixture would have any evil effect. Tho inquest, which is to be held oa tho deceased tomorrow, may bring out some important facts as to tho manufacture of such explosive. Mrs Anthony was a young woman greatly esteemed by those who knew her. She baa two children, the eldest a boy two years of oge, and the other an infant. The latter waa in its cradle at tho time of the explosion, and the glass from tho windows was scattered all over its covering, but fortunately tho child was uninjured. The elder child, who was standing in the doorway, received several bruises, and had its face blackened as if with powder. It is not in any danger of its life, oat it is not yet known if its sight has been destroyed. The mother was almost literally blown to atoms, and presented a spectacle which all who have seen will remember to their dying day. She has, 1 believe, many friends in Christchurch, where she had long been employed as a milliner. Mr Anthony is a young man greatly respected and liked here, and the deepest sorrow is felt for him in his sad bereavement. Be is almost demented oyer the blow he has sustained, though at the time of the accident he retained wonderful presence of mind.