STEAM PRESS BURSTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2453, 13 July 1922, Page 2

STEAM PRESS BURSTS.

YOUNG WOMAN SCALDED. Yesterday afternoon. Messrs Stubbs’ hosiery factory, situated in Main Street East, Palmerston N., was the scene of an explosion, which fortunately was not attended by - very serious consequences. At about 1.45 p.m. a terifie noise' which resembled the firing of a cannon, rent the air, attracting the attention of a number of people in the >- vicinity and startling the employees. Enquiries made by a “Times” reporter elicited the information that a steam press had burst, and that one of the employees, Miss Eileen Pike, had sustained extensive scalds on the body from the escaping steam. At the time of the occurrence eight hands —a man in charge, a boy, and six young women —were engaged at various tasks in the press room, which is a capacious one about 25 feet by 40 feet in area, and situated on the top floor of the building. The press burst at the •side and the top and a number of pieces of iron, upwards of seven eight pounds in weight, were hurled in all directions but none of these dangerous missiles struck any, of the workers. Miss Pike, who was standing within about a yard of the press, had a truly miraculous escape from more serious injury, as heavy pieces of iron fell close by her. Miss Pike is progres- -- sing as satisfactorily as could be expected. The manager of the firm can not in any way account for the explosion of the press. The press had been tested regularly, the last time being Easter.