EXPLOSIONS IN FIRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19691, 18 July 1927, Page 8

EXPLOSIONS IN FIRE.

TWO OUTBURSTS .IN CRATE, PONSONBY HOUSE SHAKEN. : OCCUPANTS ESCAPE INJURY Two startling explosions occurred in a fire in a grate at the residence of Mr Francis Quinn, Norfolk Street, Ponsonby on Saturday evening. No one was injured and no damage was done, but the explosions caused the house to vibrate At the time of the explosions, Mr. Quinn was seated alone in front of the fire. The silence was suddenly broken by an explosion in the fire, and a second outburst followed almost immediately. Mr. Qtiinn was not. injured. Portions of the fire and ashes were strewn around the room, which became filled with a thick, black smoke. The explosions caused the house to quiver, and Mrs. Quinn, who was in another room with her daughters, thought there had been an earthquate. Steps were hurriedly taken to extinguish the fire. The incident is significant in view of the two explosions in grates which occurred in Wellington recently, and the suggestion that such happenings might be due to the presence of explosives in coal when it leaves the mine. Mr. Quinn was in the habit of placing large pieces of coal on the fire, and it has been suggested the accident might have been caused by the explosion of a pocket of gas. Mr. J. Fotheringham, secretary of the Taupiri Coal Mines, Ltd., said last evening that he was satisfied every precaution was taken in obtaining and despatching coal from the mines. In blasting operations the miners did not fire the shots special men being employed for that work. All explosive taken into the mines had to be accounted for and a careful check was kept.