BENZINE EXPLOSION.
A STARTLING INCIDENT.
STEAMER'S FORTUNATE ESCAPE
(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 24. A startling accident.occurred on the steamer Breeze while she was berthed at the King's Wharf yesterday • afternoon. About 9000 cases of benzine had been taken aboard, and third engineer (W. Ullrich) was making :an examination in the propeller shaft tunnel with a, naked light, when .apparently the benzine fumes became ignited, causing a violent explosion. Ullrich was blown through; from '.I the tunnel to the engine room, where, the crew found him lying, with the hair singed off his face and his arms severely burned. He was seiit to the hospital. ■ • ' ■'.■ :..;-■■ ' ,
Officials consider it a marvel that the vessel wa« not blown up. It is surmised that some of the cases ■ were leaking, and the wonder is that the flame of the explosion did not ignite these.
The Breeze left for Dunedin late last night.
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9052, 24 July 1917, Page 7
Word Count
149BENZINE EXPLOSION. Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9052, 24 July 1917, Page 7
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