“ PLACE WAS A DEATH TRAP ”

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6840, 22 April 1932, Page 6

“ PLACE WAS A DEATH TRAP ”

Coroner Recommends Prosecution of Owner SEQUEL TO BURNING FATALITY Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Criticism of a small unregistered suburban factory was made by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., Coroner, at the inquest concerning the death of Pearl Eliza Cunnold, aged 22. Miss Cunnold, who resided at Mount Albert, received fatal injuries on March l(i while working at tho factory' of Messrs. Bock and Co., manufacturing chemists, Mount Eden. “This yefung lifo was thrown away owing to the disregard of regulations for the preservation of life,’’ said the Coroner, in recommending to the inspector of Factories, who was present, that stops should be taken to prosecute deceased’s employer, Paul Bock, for fulling to register his factory.

At the time of the accident deceased was heating a benzine tin containing wax for the manufacture of floor polish over an open fire. Her clothing became ignited and she was enveloped in flames, receiving extensive and severe burns. She died in the Auckland hospital four and a half hours after admission. There were no eye-witnesses of the accident.

Paul Bock said that when the accident occurred he was absent from Auckland, deceased being in charge of tho factory'. Deceased had been employed in the factory for the past six years and was a competent worker. In witness’s opinion deceased was lifting a tin of wax from tho fireplace when her dress caught alight. She should not have molted the wax in benzine tins without handles, as other benzine tins with handles wore provided for the purpose. As a precaution against harm witness had given deceased a leather waistcoat and aprons, overalls and clogs. Bho should have worn these clothes while at work at the fire.

James Maskcll, deputy superintendent of the Mount Eden fire brigade, gave evidence of having rendered first aid to deceased after the accident and of having extinguished the fire at the factory'. “In my' opinion the place was nothing but a death trap,” added witness. “The lire was burning in tho fireplace when i first went in, and I put it out with a hose.”

The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased died from shock following burns received while working in the employ of Bock and Co.