FATAL EXPLOSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 151, 7 April 1933, Page 8

FATAL EXPLOSION

FIRE EXTINGUISHER. EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. (Per Press Association) HASTINGS, April 6. The inquest into the death of Vllliam David Kenny, who died on March 25 as the result of the explosion of a fire extinguisher on the occasion of an outbreak of fire at the Post Office, where he was employed, was resumed this morning. Luther Hillj Postmaster at Hastings, said there were no indications that the extinguisher was not in good working order. With the others, it ■was cleaned and recharged in November last. The extinguishers were frequently inspected, according to instructions. Thomas Thompson, who was with the deceased on the night of the fatality, said Kenny tapped the extinguisher on the floor. There was only a trickle coming out. The explosion occurred a moment later. Robert Henderson, fire brigade superintendent, stated that he found one part of the extinguisher 35 feet away from where the explosion occurred. Apparently the" extinguisher was partly blocked, though it appeared to have been properly cared for. The extinguishers were supposed to need recharging only once in ten years, but, in his opinion, the nozzle should be attended to at least once yearly. The cause of the explosion appeared to be the blockage of the nozzle. The extinguisher 111 cjiiGstion w«is supposed to withstand a pressure of 3201 b to the square, inch. The rust appearing in the shell of the mechanism may have been caused by its having been empty. . Albert Victor Harris, senior mechanician gave. evidence that the sodaacid type of extinugishers were refilled biennially. The manufacturer’s refill was different from that used in refilling the exploded machine. There were°some of the manufacturers’ own refills actually in the store at the office. The Coroner remarked that lie was not concerned with further technical evidence concerning the cause of the explosion, and returned a formal \eidict finding the cause of death.