GAS EXPLOSION IN AN AUCKLAND BANK.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2263, 11 January 1887, Page 2

GAS EXPLOSION IN AN AUCKLAND BANK.

MR W. VON STURMER, OF HAMILTON, INJURED. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.! Auckland, Monday. We are indebted to yesterday's Herald for the following particulars of the occurrence :— An explosion of gas occurred in the Bank of New South Wales a few minutes after nine o'clock last night, by which Messrs S. N. Von Stunner (of the bank), and W. Von Stunner, (of the B.N.Z. Hamilton), were rather severely burned. It occurred under the following circumstances MrS. N. Von Stunner, who is ledger-keeper, and icsides in the bank, returned from a stroll with his cousin, and on entering the bank from the side door detected strong fumes of szas, evidently coming from the strongroom, which opens on to the corridor leading to the banking chamber. He unlocked the strong room door, and procured a light to ascertain where the leak was. On entering the candle ignited the gas, and an explosion took place. The two men were considerable singed about the neck and hands, aud also slightly on the face, but fortunately not very seriously. One of them went to the meter to turn off the gas, but was unable to do so ; and Mrs Fisher, wife of the caretaker of the bank, turned off the jet in the strong room, and had assistance procured for the Messrs Von Stunner, who were taken across to Mr S. Gilbert, chemist. Dr. Haines was telephoned for. and was soon in attendance. He dressed the burns, and ordered the removal of the men to the Hospital, where they were taken. The force of the explosion was very great, as it extended along a number of passages on the ground floor, and then rose to the third storey and shattered the skylight over the main staircase, but the roofliirht just above it was not injured. The shock also brought down a quantity of soot in the chimneys. The damage was confined, however, to the smashing of the skylight, and the partial ignition of a quantity of wrapping paper iri the strong room. It is supposed that the eras jet must have been left turned oil, and there being no outlet the chamber became filled. Trie noise the explosion was heard in the Herald office, which adjoins the bank, and it also attracted the attention of several pedestrians in Queen-street.

Mr F. J. Von Stunner received the following telegram yesterday from Mr Orchiston, Inspector of Telegraphs:— " Willie and Norrey burned badly gas explosion last night. Just returned from hospital. Nothing serious anticipated. Willie expects to return in fortnight. See Herald." (by telegraph.--own correspondent] Auckland, Monday Night. The injuries to the two Von Stunner's by the gas explosion at the Bank of New South Wales are not of a serious character.