“A BURST OF FLAME”

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1921, Page 5

“A BURST OF FLAME”

MOTOR CAR BURNT. A six-seater Clarkson motor car, driven and owned by Mr. W. Calnon (taxi-cab proprietor), was destroyed by fire in the Ngahauranga Gorge, near Wellington, on Sunday night. Mr. Calnon had taken a passenger out to Ngaio, and was returning to Wellington about 10 p.m. The engine was switched off coming down the hill; but about 100 yards from the bottom of the gorge he switched it on again, and the car immediately burst into flames. Mr. Calnon made a determined effort to save the ear by means of 'his fire-extinguisher, even opening ths bonnet (almost red hot) in order to get better at t'he flames, but to no avail. With the aid of some passers-by, however, he did manage to save the four tyres (two of which were badly scorched), taking them off the machine while she was still burning, and getting a good bit scorched in the process. Telling a Times representative of his experience, Mr. Calnon said that he could only account for the outbreak on the assumption that there must have been a leakage in the muffler. There was a burst of flame immediately he switched on the engine; and there must have been some vapor round the carburetter, which at once ignited. The car was insured tor £3OO, which left him a heavy loser, the total value of the car being £450 to £5OO.