Explosion In Blazing Barn

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30219, 26 August 1963, Page 10

Explosion In Blazing Barn

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, August 25. An exploding hydraulic jack rocked a blazing barn in Pulham road, Warkworth, early this morning just as a group of men were about to enter the building.

The owner of the barn, Mr J. E. Ellis, a dairy farmer, and some of his neighbours, were about to open the bam doors to rescue a tractor when the explosion occurred. No-one was hurt.

Hearing the explosion and seeing the blaze, neighbours living considerable distances away donned clothes over their pyjamas and raced to help. The fire was discovered

about 4 a.m. and the rescue of the tractor was left until the. arrival of the Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade less than 10 minutes later. The barn doors were opened and a group of neighbours and firemen rushed in and pushed the badly blistered vehicle clear.

A later examination of the tractor showed that the washer between the petrol cap and a full tank of petrol had been completely burnt away. “The whole lot could have gone up any time," said Mr Ellis.

The fire had a good hold by the time the firemen arrived and little could be done to save the bam and the 400 bales of hay it contained.

Mr Ellis said he expected the damage could be about £2OOO.

The brigade fought the fire for more than three hours.