BURNED TO DEATH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 8946, 11 October 1907, Page 2

BURNED TO DEATH.

The Dunedin Fatality. Pcs Press Association. Dungdin, October 10. An inquest was held to-day on tho body of Nell August Johnson, tho wharf labourer who was fatally burned while cleaning out the condenser of the S.S. Talunc, when a verdict was returned that death was due to shook, caused by burns accidentally received. Tbo jury regarded the use of naked lights in a confined space with inflammable material as a risky practice, and suggested that in future covered lights should bo used. Johnson had used kerosene, which had saturated his clothes.

When deceased’s clothes caught fire he endeavoured to reach a manhole overhead, but slipped and fell back, becoming overpowered by tho flames which enveloped his body. Attempts to reach him proved futile, till Nelson Pritchard, the fourth engineer of the Warrimoo, caine down and dashed water over him, and on the arrival of the lire brigade a hose was played on his body.

The Union Co.’s port engineer stated that he did not think the method adopted in cleansing condensers was dangerous if ordinary care was taken.