Explosion Injures Four Constables

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31984, 10 May 1969, Page 1

Explosion Injures Four Constables

. suffered burns when gas exploded in the Magistrate’s Court cell Node yesterday.

Constables Frederick Thomas French, aged 58, of 46 Redruth Avenue, and Constable Stephen Robert Wakefield, aged 20, of 66 Whiteleigh Avenue, were taken to hospital in a St John ambulance, but after treatment were allowed to go home. Neither Constable V. Strong, the Court orderly, nor Constable R. Scott required hospital treatment. ■»- Constable Strong said he had earlier opened the door leading from the cell-block vestibule to a driveway. He noticed a smell of gas, but it was no more than was usual anywhere in the building. About 9.40 azn. it was noticed that the gas beater in the vestibule was out. The beater is mounted about 10ft above the floor on an angle facing a door giving access to the courtrooms. Constable Strong said be . took a flint lighter mounted . an -a long extension and 1 Placed it in front at the 1 heater as he stood immedi-1 atety beneath*. “I struck the flint and : there was a whoosh. lustinc-■ vonsiaows r rCQcn ififl wastfield were standing in the doorway leading to the courtrooms and took the full effect - £ the Constable Branch was thrown face down, and as others gathered ' »««»d only semi-con-others went to Ms asAstance i he toril M.ymellreti<m of;

stable Strong under the heater, but bis hand was burnt The flint lighter was blown from his hand. Constable Scott, who was stand.' ing slightly behind him, suf 1 fered 'only minor ringing of i -tile hair.The top section of the door near which Constables French and Wakefield were standing f has areas of blistered vxralch I