Pupils killed as blast rips apart kitchen

Press, 21 January 1982, Page 1

Pupils killed as blast rips apart kitchen

NZPA-Reuter Oklahoma City An explosion that killed five children and a teacher in a primary school cafeteria yesterday, was caused by a water heater that malfunctioned and built up a “mighty” head of steam a few hours after being repaired. officials said.

A cook in the school kitchen turned on a tap about lunch-time, but only steam came out, said an Oklahoma City Fire Department spokesman. The cook went to report the problem and minutes later an explosion ripped through the kitchen wall, blowing off part of the roof and raining glass, metal, and concrete blocks on children in the cafeteria.

Thirty-five other pupils and adults at the Star Elementary School were hurt, but the Oklahoma City Schools' Superintendent, Mr Tom Payzant, said many children playing in the schoolyard were saved by the unusual 18deg. weather. In severe cold children often huddled against the wall of the building, he said.

Officials estimated that the blast did damage valued at $lOO,OOO. “I don't think there was any question as to the

cause," the fire department spokesman said. “The 75-gallon (340 litre) water heater had an internal steam explosion. The safety mechanism failed." The blasted heater was found 70 metres from the building, he said. Mrs Florence Hardy was one of five school employees in the kitchen when the heater exploded. Mrs Hardy, with seven stitches in her chin and a badly blackened eye, stood outside the cafeteria and surveyed the damage several hours after the blast. Her uniform was stained with blood from several facial cuts she suffered in the blast.

Holly Chase, aged eight, said she had just finished eating her lunch when the explosion ripped through the kitchen wajl. “I ducked my head like they told me to'do during a tornado and it missed me...

the glass.” “Somebody told me they saw a brick fall on a little girl's head and a table fall on top of her. A teacher came by and helped me and the other kids out. There were kids running and screaming.” Holly said. Photo, Page 6.