GAS EXPLOSION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19971, 4 July 1930, Page 12

GAS EXPLOSION.

THREE PEOPLE INJURED. TAILOR'S SHOP DAMAGED. j (PUSS ABBOCSATIO* WUSOSAK) MASTEBTON, July 3. A somewhat sensational gas explosion occurred in the main street of Masterton at about 4.10 p.m. to-day as a result of which Messrs Nicol and Co.'s tailoring premises were partly wrecked, and three people Injured. The explosion was of terrific force, the window of the shop being shattered and the glass blown right across the street, while the Interior of the shop was wrecked. Tho glass parti tlons between the shop and office, and also between tho office and workroom, and also the large windows at the back of the workroom were all blown oat. The marvel is that more people were not injured and that fatal injuries were not received by those who were hurt. The injured aro:— Alfred Watson, borough gas employee, broken thigh. Miss* J. M. Scrimgeour, employed at the Oatholie Presbytery, euts on the l£gs. Condition not cirtical. Mrs J. L. Hughes, of Mastertoa, bad cuts On legs. Others who received less severe cuts were: Messrs J. B. Nicol, sen., and J B. Nicol, jun., who, together with a customer, Mr Hugh McKenaie, of Kopuaranga, were in the office at the back of the shop. Mr McKenzie escaped with a few slight cuts. Watson was working at the meter in Nicol's shop, when the explosion occurred, and the top of the counter fell lon him, breaking his thigh. Miss fecrimgoour was talking with Mrs Hughes outside the shop, and both were blown against a motor-car standing on the road. The cause of (he explosion is not yet known. Borough gas employees who had been engaged in clearing a partly blocked pipe to the adjoining shop, had completed blowing the pipes, and were coupling up the pipes and meter in Nicol's shop when the explosion occurred.