FATAL BURNS.
SEQUEL TO EXPLOSION. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 25. “It is not possible for me to say how tlie explosion occurred, but there is no reason to believe it was other than an accident.” said Mr TV. R. McKean, S.M., Coroner, at the inquest into the death of Charles Orlando Roscoe, a married man, aged 47, who was very severely burned when a drum of methylated spirits exploded in his grocery shop in Waiuku on January 7. Constable Henry, of Waiuku, said the accident occurred in a 'room at the back of the shop and. although some things were ignited by the explosion, they were extinguished before any damage was done. He was told deceased got the full contents of the drum over him and was badlyy burned all over.
“Deceased was in the shop by himself at the time, mid it is not known what caused the spirits to explode,” witness added. “On the bench alongside the drum stood a small spirit lamp, which was empty. The drum was also empty and out of shape, tlie bottom having been blown out of it. It was blackened inside, showing it had been on fire.” Deleie Roscoe, wife of deceased., said she saw her husband in Franklin Memorial Hospital about an hour after the accident when he said : “I lifted the tin and it exploded all over me. I will never forget it.” He told witness he was not smoking at the time and did not know bow much spirit was in the drum, a four-gallon container.
“Sometimes my husband made tea on a small spirit lamp,” witness said “The accident happened about lunch time, but he was not in the habit of drinking tea with his lunch.” In reply to the Coroner, witness said her husband told her no more about the explosion nor gave any explanation as to how it happened. Acting-Sergeant TV. G. Bennett said deceased apparently attempted to light the spirit lamp and fumes from the drum became Ignited. His clothes were on fire when he rushed into the street for assistance. The Coroner gave a verdict of accidental death, adding that he imagined, deceased must have lit something while handling the drum containing the methylated spirits. / "" 1111111 " —" _■■■' mumm
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19380126.2.158
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 26 January 1938, Page 11
Word Count
377FATAL BURNS. Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 26 January 1938, Page 11
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