Brave Act Prevents Gas Explosion

Northern Advocate, 5 August 1949, Page 5

Brave Act Prevents Gas Explosion

By thrusting his bare hands into flames and turning off the tap of a highly-explosive cylinder of oxyacetylene gas, a welder prevented a destructive explosion at Whangarei this afternoon. The welder, Mr C. J. Graham, of Auckland, was assisting to instal an 1 oil fuel tank on the roof of the rear portion of the Whangarei hotel. Two cylinders of gas were at ground level, with the hoses running to the roof of the building where the welding was in progress. «■ A sudden blow-back caused the top of one bottle to be enveloped in flames and it seemed that a powerful explosion could not be avoided, as the i-inch thick cylinder contained a pressure of 2001 b. per square inch. With remarkable courage and presence of mind Mr Graham thrust his arm through the flames and turned off the tap, suffering burns to his right hand in the process. The fire brigade, which was on-the scene within four minutes of the alarm, arrived to find the flames almost extinguished. A portion of the hose from the cylinder was destroyed, .but no other damage was caused apart from the blackening of the concrete wall at the rear of the building. The licensee of the hotel (Mr Biomfield) said that Mr Graham’s prompt action was responsible for preventing considerable damage. He also commented on the commendable speed with which the brigade answered the call. After receiving first-aid on the spot, Mr Graham wasted no time in setting about the repairs of the welding plant.