FATAL EXPLOSION

Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1939, Page 6

FATAL EXPLOSION

MUNITION WORKS TRAGEDY, (Australian Press Association). MELBOURNE, September 25. Two women and a man were killed in a terrific explosion which destroyed the cartridge-llouso and ammunitionpacking section of the works of Imperial Chemical Industries’ (Nobel Australasia, Limited) at Deer Park. It occurred this afternoon. The explosion was heard through the metropolitan area, and also for a radius of 20 miles. It broke windows a mile away. About 300 employees, mostly girls, were employed in this section of the works, and they were blinded by smoke as they lied from the buildings. They had to flee through a shower of splintered wood, iroji, and concrete. None was seriously injured, except those killed. The victims were: Miss Frances O’Gorman, aged 25. Killian Gordoiu aged 34. Miss Ethel Foster, aged 29. All three were killed instantly. There were fears that the explosion was due to sabotage j and the premises were quickly surrounded by military guards. To-night, however, it was officially announced that the explosion was accidental. ’ A sheet of flame rose 100 feet above the works when the explosion occurred. It was feared that the whole works would go upe Hundreds of screaming girls ran from the works. Some of them were hit by the falling debris. The girls were sent home for the day. The men are resuming work to-morrow morning.