HEAVY EXPLOSION.
CYLINDER BLOWS UP. FIRE AT BLENHEIM. (Per Press Association). BLENHEIM, This Day. Firemen engaged in fighting an outbreak in the premises of Mr F. E. Musgrove, building contractor, late last night, had a lucky escape when a large cylinder of compressed oxygen used in acetone welding exploded with terrific force. Eighteen feet of wooden wall, and a corresponding area of corrugated iron roofing were hurled into the air, while the cylinder itself was found later in the yard of the Methodist Church, nearly 100 feet away.
Windows of the church and other adjacent buildings were blown in by the concussion, which shook houses over a wide area. The explosion hurled blazing timbers over 100 feet into the air as a huge green flash, seen all over the district, leapt upwards. Heard for miles around, the explosion gave a great impetus to the flames, which destroyed the foundry and plant. The joinery department, offices, timber stocks, and three large motor-lorries were saved. Fortunately four other cylinders of oxygen and acetylene gas did not explode.
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 17, 31 October 1940, Page 6
Word Count
175HEAVY EXPLOSION. Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 17, 31 October 1940, Page 6
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