How Fires may be caused.
>•■'. ~~ i — : — • .. " For the purpose of accounting to some extent for the occurrence of mysterious fires, a correspondent sends ,the following item to the N.Z; Herald, showing that iron rust has, some blame in the matter:— H When oxide of iron is placed in contact with timber, excluded from the atmosphere, and aided by a slightly increased temperature, the oxide will part with its oxygen, and is converted into very finely-divided particles of metallic iron, having such an affinity for oxygen that, when afterwards exposed to the action of the atmosphere from any cause, oxygen is so rapidly absorbed that these particles become suddenly red hot, and if in sufficient quantity will' produce a temperature far beyond the ignition point of dry timber. Whenever, for instaace, iron pipes employed for the circulation of any heated medium, whether hot water, hot air, or steam, are allowed to become rusty in close contact with timber, the mere expansion or contraction of the pipes may be sufficient to raise the '■ temperature to a sufficient height to bring about .fire, 1 ' ■' [
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH18950413.2.16
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Manawatu Herald, 13 April 1895, Page 3
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181How Fires may be caused. Manawatu Herald, 13 April 1895, Page 3
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