RATHER PREMATURE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11767, 14 October 1932, Page 5

RATHER PREMATURE

HIRE WORKS IS SHOP WINDOW EXPLODE INTENDED OUT FAWKES DISPLAY i l’i e-s Assot'Tal ion.) AUCKLAND. Oct. 13. An effective but totally unexpected display of fireworks created consternation at- Mclvern’s stores in Karangahapu road late this afternoon and resulted in the main display window in front of the establishment being badly damaged by fire. The fireworks were being arranged in a display appropriate to the approach of Ouy Fawkes’ Day when, from «n unknown cause, some material ignited and, before the blaze was extinguished by the fire brigade, a valuable plate glass window had been shattered and considerable damage bad been done to the contents. The fire did not spread to the store itself. Two members of the staff were dressing the window and had placed a dummy figure representing Guy .Fawkes in a central position. Fireworks of various sizes and kinds were being added when part of the explosive . stock caught fire. The enclosed space in the window was quickly in an uproar, with rockets hissing and huge crackers detonating, the stuffed Guy moanwhile blazing furiously. The two assistants were in an unenviable position, and they quickly retreated, one of them having bis fingers slightly burned. A chemical fire extinguisher was at once brought into play, but it was not until tho arrival of two mm'ncs from tile fire station that 11,0 blaze could be checked. It is estimated that tho damage to the P 1 ’ 0 ™ 10 ® 8 and stock: will amount to about £IUU, but this estimate is subject to a closer check.