FIRE AND EXPLOSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24423, 8 October 1940, Page 8

FIRE AND EXPLOSION

ROOF BLOWN OFF ATTIC FIREMAN BADLY BURNED While attending an outbreak of fire in k house at 825 Cumberland'street early yesterday morning. Fireman J. ■Fleming. aged-24, was severely . burned qn the face and hands and had to be taken to the Hospital. All his clothes, including his storm coat, had to be cut off on his arrival 'at the Hospital. The brigade received the call at 8.44 a.m. from a street alarm box. and this was followed immediately after by two telephone calls. On reaching the premises—which consist of an 8-roomed house, with two small attics —it was found'that the fire was in one of the attics, used as a lumber room. Approach to the attic had to be made by a narrow stairway, and Fireman Fleming was in charge of the lead at the head of the stairs. Just before the water came on there was an explosion in the attic, and the fire burst through a small break, in the wall and enveloped the fireman. He pluckily stuck to his job and got the hose into play and was then brought down the stairway and hurried to the Hospital. The explosion had a terrific force behind it. as two sheets of iron eight feet long by 22 inches wide, were blown completely off the roof and .landed in a section next door. The cause of the explosion cannot be stated definitely. It is suggested, however, that there may have been an accumulation of gas in the attic. ■: The fire was confined to..'-the.-attic, and considering the circumstances' remarkably little damage was' done.

The house, which, is owned by Mr A. Jordon, of North-East Valley, was occupied by Mr George Brown and family. ■.