SERIOUS EXPLOSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17285, 28 September 1916, Page 6

SERIOUS EXPLOSION.

ACCIDENT ON WAIRCNA L\ SYDNEY.

SIX MEN -KILLED. *

r ~< (Telegraph—Proas Association—CopyrlxV (.Received September 27, 6.50 p.m.J • h SYDNEY, September 27. '•

An explosion occurred on the Union Company’s steamer Wiuruna, which uas{ disehargng at - Margaret Street wbaif. Six men were billed and three were: injured. 1 The' cargo in the forehold h included cases of benzine, the, leakage from which is" "supposed to befi, the cause of the explosion. •

** THE DEATH ROLL

RESCUE WORK" DIFFICULT. 4>

. ik ' j —Mi’ ; (Received September 27, 10.25 '% SYDNEY, 'September 27. Tho Wairfma explosion killed JoHn/. ;

Lewis, Robert Gamble, A. Scotsman,’V. Samuel Clarke, David Alexander and- i Owen Vaggcrs. •> Oho of the injured 1 men not. expected- 1 to survive. . All thoi men are Jocal shipwrights. ■Tlie explosion occurred in /the lower forehold. A firo followed. •It is i poscd\that a Jight camo. in contact with. tho fuds.es of !tho benzine, although the benzine hirgo had completed discharge ing last.evening;. . .. vv’• Eighteen, Wh who were'working ia: ; the hold wefb fyirled in all : directions, Firemen difficulty in ’ cuing them.tiu’ljhjg tfi'tlie smoke fumoirri-p 1 " Tho killed wenj\ 'terribly 1 mutilated. V.. One was blown jY/piedes knd anotheriy.-j. was unrecognisable’. ' , Tho ffre was euh*i dued after Van,, hour’s woirk. y J ' Tho damage to iljiq steamer is not : serious, but will her-, departure!?^Y'.