MYSTERY EXPLOSION.
Technical experts confessed that they could throw little or no light on the cause of the Castleford chemical Works disaster, when 13 lives wore lost, 32 persons were seriously injured, and property was extensively damaged, says an English journal. For 12 hours a coroner s court investigated the mystery.
George Frank, technical director and works manager, stated that tho first indication of trouble was a cloud of brown fumes 30ft. high over part of the nitration plant, followed by a bright light and a big roar. After the explosion they found a benzol drum near tho "acid eggs." If the wrong drum had been used, soinoonu had made a grievous mistake.
The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental death," and they added that tho explosion was accidentally caused by the presence of nitro body in the mixer, and that there was no negligence. They recommended that in future acids should be tested before being placed in the " eggs."
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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)
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160MYSTERY EXPLOSION. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)
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