Gas Explosion in Wel-LINGTON.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 36, 17 March 1883, Page 2

Gas Explosion in WelLINGTON.

PETER LAINtf BLOWtiMt •■'....: .,, .high. y. : : 2 (united pkess. association.) '"'. Wellington, This .Day.; A serious explosion of gas took place m the retresnment room of jMx Peter Laing's confectionary establishment last night. The chandelier had been pulled so far down as to cause a leak,, and on Mr Laiag and the cook, named; David Smith, entering the roomithis" morning at six, the air* was stroin&iy impregnated with gps. Smith strncka "" match to see #here the leak wa«, and a terrible explosion,, folio wed, Smith being blown into the next room .through the open doorway, and being seriously biirW ; ned about the head,* face shoulders and arms, but not dangerously. The outer door was blown open, and the sky light and windows blown out, pictures smashed, &c. Mr Laing himself; was blown through another doorway right on tcrthe counter of tbe shop, and- was burned about the face and hands. He had^ however, presence of mind to take off his coar and beat out the flames which i had seized on the inflammable contents of the room. The - two /doors Being opened, greatly lessened the force of the explosion, or the consequences would have been very serious ;