FIREWORKS EXPLOSION

Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 24

FIREWORKS EXPLOSION

GIRL WORKER S DEATH CORONER COMMENDS RESCUER [Per United Press , Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 18. Happenings on the afternoon of Member 4, when Bickerton’s fireworks factory in Ottawa, road was destroyed by an explosion and fire, were investigated to-day at an inquest hold concerning the death of Miss Rosamond Venetta Roberts, who died following the explosion. The manager of the fireworks factory, Ronald Malcolm Bickerton, said that girls in the of the factory had been given instructions that stock containers of stars must be kept outside. When, he was present at the factory these instructions were always carried out, and he had no idea how stars came to be on the floor of the workshop. No definite instructions were given the girls with regard to the footwear to bo worn, he continued, and he did not know that the regulations under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act made it compulsory to wear suitable shoes. Leonard Ritchie, aged 20, at present foreman, said that the goods manufactured at_ the factory were display fireworks, signal rockets, and red lights for the use of ships. Five girls were working in the shop known as the “ girls’ workshop ” on November 4. There was orfe entrance, a double door. The girls, he said, were engaged in making and charging small rockets. There would be 200 rockets in the shed charged with powder. On the afternoon of the accident he heard the explosion of a rocket and ran to the shop, which was then on fire, with rockets flying about the factory from the shop. “ I do not know how the fire started and in my experience I have never known stars to explode during the manufacture of fireworks,” said Mr Ritchie. “ The sun was shining through the door of the girls’ workshop at the time of the fire, and if a star were on the floor it would become drier and easier to explode. Continuing, Mr Ritchie said he saw Mr Reid carry a girl out of the blazing building, and called for an ambulance. Returning a verdict that death was due to an accidental fire, the coroner pair a tribute to Mr Norman Reid, who, at considerable danger, entered the building and rescued Miss Roberts.