EXPLOSION ON THE WAIRUNA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1916, Page 4

EXPLOSION ON THE WAIRUNA.

GIX MEN KILLED. BENZINE FUMES THE CAUSE. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Sydney, Sept. 27 3 Sydney, Sept. 27. An explosion occurred on the Unioif Company's steamer Walruna while discharging at Margaret Street wharf. Six men were killed and three injured. The cargo in the fore hold included cases of benzine, a leakage from wjtich .is, supposed to have caused the disaster.

Received Sept. 27, 10.30 p.m. Sydney, Sept. 27. The Wairuna explosion killed John Lewis, Robert Gambles, a Scotsman, David Alexander and Owen Vnggers, One of the injured men is not. expected to survive. They are all local shipwrights. The explosion occurred in the lower forehold and a Are followed. It is supposed a light came in contact with th« fumes from the benzine, although the latter cargo had completed discharging last evening. Eighteen men who were working in the hold were hulled In all directions. The firemen had the greatest difficulty in rescuing the victims owing to the smoke and 'fumes. The killed were terribly mutilated, one. being blown lo pieces and another being unrecognis- ] The fire was subdued after an hour's work. The damage to the Steamer t lot serious, but, it will delay )icr depai ture for Melbourne.