Glass Furnace Collapses

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32145, 14 November 1969, Page 10

Glass Furnace Collapses

j Twenty tons of molten, white opal glass broke free I when the bottom of a glass ! furnace at the factory of I Crown Crystal Glass, Ltd, at ; Hornby, collapsed last night. I Five days ago plant officers | realised this might happen, )and the staff, the Christ- ! church Fire Brigade and I other persons were told of )the possibility. To lessen any danger, water jackets were placed round the elevated floor of the furnace, and a sand-bagged area was cleared to hold the glass if the floor collapsed. When the collapse occurred about ; 11.30 p.m. the glass flowed 'from the furnace floor into ithe sand-bagged area. No ' damage was done and nobody was hurt Four fire engines were sent ito the factory as a precaution immediately after the brigade 'had been told that the col- ! lapse had occurred. The glass is used in the manufacture of ovenware. The plant manager (Mr I.' G. Lyons) said that he greatly I appreciated the efforts of; both the fire brigade and his) staff in handling the situation. He said that production: might be delayed for 10 days. !