SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 179, 28 July 1906, Page 5

SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION.

NELSON FOUNTAIN DEMOLISHED.

A MAN DANGEROUSLY INJURED (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NELSON this day. At 6.40 this morning a sensation was caused at the junction of Trafalgar and Hardy streets by a terrific gas explosion, the noise of which was heard half over the town- It appears that two corporation men, Kenning (the foreman) and Vercoe (a labourer), were in the vicinity of the Symons' memorial fountain, which bore a cluster of four or five gas lamps. A smeQ of gas was noticed, and one of the men struck a match to locate it. Immediately an explosion occurred, blowing the pillar and fountain into the air and shattering the ironwork and glass, which were scattered in all directions. Vercoe, who was nearest to the perforation of the trough communicating with the gas outlet, was thrown violently to the ground gome distance away, with his head severely cnt, and other injuries. He was removed to the hospital in an unconscious condition. His state is critical. Kenning was also thrown down and bruised and cut about the face and bands, but he was not seriously hurt. The force of the explosion may be gauged by the fact that a piece of debris burst through the Masonic Hotel parlour window, breaking it. The cause of the explosion was an accumulation of gas in the base of the fountain, which was hollow, and had become practically a gas reservoir. As soon as the match was lit the escape of gas caugbfc alight, with the result stated. Had the accident occurred at night, when there would have been crowds of people in the street, the effects would have been much more serious .