TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 103, 2 May 1889, Page 5

TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.

A TK.Ti_.i_mK boiler explosion occurred at Melbourne last Wednesday at the works of Pift and Co., snfemnkors, North Melbourne, resulting in the death ofoneof the sons of the proprietor and serious injury to an employee. Ib appears that young Pitb, who held an engine-driver's certificate, was attending to the engine, which had nob been used since Thursday. He had gob the steam up to 401b pressure, and was "easing" the safety-valve to clear the accumulated rust, when the explosion took place. lie was literally blown to pieces in all directions, ono leg being carried out into the street, and various parts of his body strewn about. A lad named Lyons was severely injured, and now lies in thohospital. The building, which i.-t of corrugated iron, was completely wrecked. The noise of the. explosion was heard for miles around. The cylinder of bhe engine and a flywheel weighing 4c\vt. were hurled a long distance, until stopped by the brick wall of an adjoining factory, which they penetrated. Windows were broken in till directions, and the c»f do.ion caused a shock to tiio whole neighbourhood. The cause of tho explosion is at present unknown. The boiler and engine were only recently inspected.