Flames In Main Street

Northern Advocate, 17 May 1949, Page 5

Flames In Main Street

DUNEDIN, Tue., (P.A.).—With the cab in flames, a tanker lorry loaded with diesel oil endangered life and properly in Castle Street this morning.

The Central Fire Brigade was called at 9.34 a.m. and battled with the fire for 10 minutes before bringing it under control with foam and carbon dioxide extinguishers. A crowd, which had quickly gathered, pressed close, apparently oblivious of the danger of an explosion.. The lorry caught fire while a welding job was being done on it in a garage. Its petrol tank had just been filled, and apparently sopie petrol had leaked. Garage workers pushed it out on to the road as flames enveloped the cab. A pool of flaming petrol appeared on the road and an explosion appeared imminent as the brigade arrived. FOOL-HARDY Foam extinguishers were brought into action, but, as the firemen lifted the seat, there was a spectacular burst of flame. When the fire died down it was obvious that little except petrol had been burning, as the truck was not seriously damaged. Few of the crowd, which had gathered with remarkable rapidity, were wise enough to keep well away from the burning truck. None could have known that the tank contained diesel oil • instead of highly inflammable petrol, yet the majority tried to stand as close as possible. An explosion which could have killed or severely burned these foolhardy spectators, might have occurred had the tank contained petrol.