FATAL FIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 December 1936, Page 3

FATAL FIRE

DANGEROUS GOODS ACT CORONER’S INQUIRY (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Happenings on the afternoon of 4th November, when Bickerton’s Flamos Fireworks Factory in Ottawa road was destroyed by an explosion and fire, were investigated to-day at the inquest held concerning the death of Miss Rosamond Venetta Roberts, who died following the explosion. Mr Reid, S.M., was the coroner.

The manager of the fireworks factory, Ronald Malcolm Bickerton, said that girls in the employ of the factory had been given instructions that stock containers of stars of compositions must be kept outside. When he was present at the factory these instructions were always carried out,’and he had no idea how the stars came to be on the floor of the workshop. No definite instructions were given the girls with regard to footwear to be worn, he continued, and he did not know that the Regulations under the Explosives and Dangerous Goods Act made it compulsory to wear suitable shoes.

Mir Girling Butcher: “You know that dangerous extra work should be carried out in special buildings?” Mr Bickerton: “I am aware of that.” The case is proceeding.