Heavy Explosion at Fire

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 259, 1 November 1940, Page 8

Heavy Explosion at Fire

CYLINDER TEARS AWAY WALL AND ROOF Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Oct. 31. Firemen engaged in fighting an outbreak in the premises of Mr F. E. Musgrove, a building contractor, at the corner of Charles and Henry streets late last night had a lucky escape when a largo cylinder of compressed oxygen used in acetone welding exploded with terrific "Yorce. Eighteen feet of wooden wall and a corresponding area of corrugated iron roofing were hurled Into the air, while the cylinder itself was found later in the yard of the Methodist Church nearby, 100 feet away. The windows of the church and other adjacent buildings were blown in by the concussion, which shook houses over a wide area and caused the fire engine, which w f as moving along running out further hose, to cut out completely. The explosion hurled blazing timbers over 100 feet into the air. A huge green flash, which was seen all over the district, leapt upwards. Heard for miles round, the explosion gave a great impetus to the flames, which destroyed the foundry and plant. The joinery department, offices, timber stocks and three large motor lorries were saved. Fortunately four other cylinders of oxygen and acetyline gas did not explode.