SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8915, 7 September 1907, Page 2

SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION.

Per Press A sscciation.

Auckland, September 7,

Au escape of gas in tiie basement of the Auckland Post Office led to au explosion which considerably damaged tire building and slightly injured four employees. The room in which the explosion occurred was wrecked, and the floor above shaken so violently that many employees were shaken off their seats. Many window’s were smashed and doors twisted oft thier hinges by the force of the explosion. A small staircase was smashed, and a portion of a brick wall in the basement was shaken down, while the main wall was or eked. Fortunately . the wreckage did not take fire, and the damage was confined to that by the explosion. The telegraph and telephone circuits remained uninjured. Tire explosion at the post office was due to au escape of gas either through a broken pipe or a turned tap in the strong room. This room was full of gas when the door was opened and the gas rushing out came iuto contact with the naked light in the adjacent store room. ■ J. Bond, who opened the strong room, was hurled back aud burned by the exploding gas. He was the greatest sufferer. -W. Worsflold, who was working under the light with which the gas came into contact, was also injured. Two clerks on the floor above were injured. These four were conveyed to a chemist’s shop aud promptly attended to by a doctor. Bond was badly burned on the face aud his arms were much shaken. F. Bush sustained a fractured nose and a small scalp wound, W. Worsfield injured about the head, McOollough injured on the arm and considerably shaken.