ANOTHER EXPLOSION.

Grey River Argus, 11 July 1927, Page 5

ANOTHER EXPLOSION.

In Private Home. LUCKY ESCAPES. (Per Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, July 10. Yesterday morning’s startling incident in the Ministerial Office in Barlin ment Buildings, when an explosion in ? grate upset the furniture and the typiste, who happened to he the sole occupant of the room, was repeated this afternoon in a private home, to the great consternation of the occupants. A fire of small coal was burning in the grate of the dining-room of the house occupied by Mr W. Parke, of Kilburnie, when the quiet peace of the moment was broken by a violent explosion. Bits of burning coal flew in all directions. The room was filled instantly with a cloud of acrid smoke and soot. A little girl was the only one in occupation of the room at the time, ami she screamed in terror, but, fortunately, she was on a sofa at the side of the room, ami did not receive the full force of the explosion, and, as in her fright she buried her head in the cushion, she escaped injury. Her mother rushed from the next room, and, groping her way through the smoke, she picked the child up and carried her out. Mr Parke by this time had reached the scene, and steps were taken to gather up the burning conkers ami clear the place of smoke. The walls showed signs of contact with the burning coals, and the carpet suffered to some extent. Presumably the explosion was due to n detonator that had remained, unexploded during the blasting operations in the mine. It was a terrifying experience for the household, which includes an elderly invalid in a nearby room, and the family were very fortunate that the results were no worse.