Explosion rocks bitumen plant

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33803, 27 March 1975, Page 20

Explosion rocks bitumen plant

A gas explosion in an empty bitumen tank shook a Christchurch factory yesterday, damaging the walls, roof, and equipment.

The tank, on the premises of Bituminous Roofing Products, Ltd, in Coleridge Street, Sydenham, had been emptied of 1500 gallons of reading bitumen before 8 a.m. The explosion occurred shortly afterwards.

Mr B. G. Donovan, managing director of the company, said yesterday it was usual practice to reverse the

pumps after delivery in order to clear the pipes. He said air could have been blown back into the tank where it would combine with the bituminous gases to form an explosive mixture. He said the mixture was probably ignited by the hot metal sides of the tank. Before the main explosion, a smaller one blew the 4ft square steel plate manhole cover off the bitumen tank. Mr B. Caulfield, who works in the factory, climbed to the top of the 20ft tank to replace it but could not see for the fumes. “I thought I would leave it to cool down for a while, and went away for a cup of tea. It was then that she went whoof,” said Mr Caulfield. Fire broke out after the explosion and the fire brigade was called. The flames were soon quenched but firemen spent some time cooling the tank to prevent another explosion.