PETROL PUMP FIRE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 48, 20 November 1930, Page 13

PETROL PUMP FIRE

Van Battery Explodes PLUCKY ATTENDANTS Man Severely Burned Dominion Special Service. Hawera, November 19. The prompt action of two attendants averted a possible serious situation in the interior of Newton King’s motor-service tation at 11 o’clock this morning. A motor-van was drawing a petrol supply from a bowser when the explosion of the van’s battery, located at the rear of the tank, ignited the van’s tank and cab and bowser hose. The cab was immediately enveloped in flames, The burning spray of petrol shot across the garage, settling on the owner of the van, Mr. T. Sheehan. Two spectators threw coats round Mr. Sheehan, and smothered the flames, while a garage attendant, P. Brown, stopped the tongue of fire which was issuing from the van tank by holding a felt hat over the aperture. ’ The fire leaping from the bowser hose and spreading in the vicinity of the pump was checked with a chemical extinguisher used by another attendant, W. Brown. The van owner received medical attention for severe burns on the face and neck.