TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 219, 16 August 1937, Page 6

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

FIRE IN BULK OIL TANK. NO ONE INJURED. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 14. A terrific explosion occurred at Lyttelton this afternoon in a bulk kerosene tank in the Vacuum Oil Company's compound. A burst of smoke and flame followed immediately. It was not until an hour later that volunteers and firemen had the fire under control. The force of the explosion burst the lieavv rivets holding the roof of the tank" in position and left it gaping widely, while great dents were imprinted on the topmost part of the tank’s sides as if it had been squeezed by a giant hand. There were only a few hundred gallons of kerosene m the tank at the time. The occurrence has been reported to the Explosives Department in Wellington, and an inquiry will be held. Residents heard first of all a hissing sound. This was followed by a heavy explosion, and puffs of greasy smoke. The explosion occurred shortly after 12.30 p.m., when kerosene was being pumped into the tank from the tanker Henry Dundas, which was lying alongside the oil \Vharf. No damage was done apart from that to the tank, and no one was injured. Officials of the "Vacuum Oil Company, including the engineer and chemist, who were in Lyttelton on business when the fire broke out, would advance no theory to account for the outbreak. There would be a full investigation into the circumstances, they said, and in the meantime they were not prepared to advance any information on any aspect of the fire. The explosion was the signal for a rally of men employed by other oil companies. All rushed in the direction of the tanks, and within a very few minutes a willing gang of workers was gathered in the compound. The company’s foamite plant was put into immediate operation, and some progress had been made by tlie fire-fight-ers when the Lyttelton Volunteer Fire Brigade arrived on the scene. The firemen and volunteers worked together, and 'within a few minutes the flames were smothered under a suffocating flow of soapy chemicals. The next step was a thorough hosing of the tank with water to cool down the heated plates. Police picketed the road above the tanks, preventing the public from going too close, but it was possible to command' an excellent view of the compound below, and there was a large crowd gathered to watch the efforts of the fire-fighters. Well before 2 o’clock, the fire-fight-ers, leaving the ground littered with scores of empty foamite tins, streamed back to the gates of the compound. Their boots and their arms were smothered In white chemical, and they looked like a band of flour millers going off duty. in an interview after the fire, the superintendent of the brigade (Mr R. Carson) said that the foamite had proved most effective. As a result of his experience there were suggestions he could make to improve the system of operation, but it had proved most satisfactory. Mr Carson said that when the brigade arrived the heat from the _ burning kerosene was so great that his rSen could not stand on a ladder at roof level. With the " smothering of the flames, however, the work became easier and they were faced with no great difficulty. This, added Mr Carson, was the first fire to break out in a bulk fuel tank in New Zealand. The experience, gained in fighting such a fire was of immense value, and it was his intention to make a full report to the New Zealand Fire Brigades’ Association. As a precautionary measure, the harbourmaster (Captain J. Plowman) ordered the tug Lyttelton to proceed to the lower breastwork of No. 7 Wharf and stand by in case further assistance was required-