EXPLOSION AND FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 132, 1 December 1938, Page 20

EXPLOSION AND FIRE

FERTILISER WORKS

EMPLOYEES SLIGHTLY HURT

(By Telegraph—Pren Association.)

AUCKLAND, November 30,

Three engines from the metropolitan area were called to deal with an outbreak of fire in a sulphur shed at the Westfield artificial fertiliser works of Kempthorne, Prosser, and Company's N.Z.■:•■'■ Drug. Company, Limited. Several works employees received slight burns, but were able to resume their duties* after receiving treatment.

A number of men were unloading a truck of rock sulphur when the outbreak started. The sulphur is shovelled into a pit below floor level and is conveyed into the shed by means of a mechanical elevator and conveyor. It is thought that a spark from- the mechanism ignited sulphur dust-which, when suspended in the atmosphere, is highlys iriflairinxable^ ; :::'. ..■ &:

The ignition of the impregnated atmosphere was accompanied ,by a loud explosion and a sheet of flame shot from the elevator well and outwards towards the truck where the men were working.

One of the men, whose clothing and bare shoulders were covered with sulphur dust, was in the direct line of the flame and his clothing caught fire. He threw himself to the ground and extinguished the smouldering fire",by rolling amon ga pile of empty sacks. His shoulders were scorched in a few places. Two'other men received burns on the arms and four workers, in the vicinity suffered from the pungent fumes sent out by the fire.

The works' fire-fighting equipment was bought into operation and with the arrival of the brigades two leads and numerous chemical extinguishers were brought into play. The flames spread throughout the shed, which contained about 3000 tons of sulphur. The damage was limited to scorching of the roof structure. The stock of sulphur did not suffer, as, when stored in bulk, this material burns only superficially.