VIOLENT GAS EXPLOSION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVI, Issue 152, 3 July 1890, Page 2

VIOLENT GAS EXPLOSION.

■♦ A BANK BLOWN INSIDE OUT. SCORCHED ACCOUNTANTS. (united press association.) Wellington, July 3. When Mr M'Lellan, accountant, and Mr Cato, assistant accountant, entered the Colonial B nk .at 8.40 last night a strong smell of gas was noticed proceeding from the strong room. After allowing, as they thought, the greater part of the gas to escape, a light was struck, when a sudden explosion took place. The thick outer doors leading into the street, weighing upwards of three hundredweight, and distant some sixty feet from the strongroom, were blown completely off their hinges and, flung into the roadway. Windows and sashes were blown to atoms and Venetian blinds twisted and torn into fantastic shapes. A constable, passing at the time, entered the Bank and found the papers m the strong room on fire, but assistance was soon obtained and the flames extinguished. Fortunately the street m front of the Bank was almost clear of traffic at the time, but one passer by was struck a violent blow on the back by the falling doors. The accountants were considerably scorched about the face, but a doctor was soon m attendance. The cause of the mishap was a leaky gas pendant ; a shower of glass from the windows was hurled m all directions, but no one was struck. The interior of the main office was not damaged beyond breaking several windows. Later. The damage to glass and building by the explosion is estimated under £100. The glass was insured for £50 m the South British, and the other damage is covered by a policy m the South British and the Standard offices. The strong room is unin jured, but some of the Bank s papers were burnt, but the Manager states they were not of importance. McLennan and Cato are progressing favorably. Business is being carried on m the building as usual to-day.