EXPLOSION IN FACTORY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23869, 21 January 1941, Page 9

EXPLOSION IN FACTORY

WOMAN'S CLOTHING ON FIRE ROOF BLOWN OFF BUILDING [FROM OtTR OWN correspondent] SYDNEY, Jan. 12 A few seconds after a terrific explosion blew the roof from the piano factory of John Smirnoff in Marrickville, a western suburb, a woman was seen rushing along a laneway behind the factory with her clothes in flames. The explosion, which occurred at about 7.15 p.m., was heard by residents living within a radius of half a mile of the factory and severely shook homes which are clustered around it. Glass windows which formed one side of the building were shattered and hurled 30 yards away. The detonation cracked a plate-glass window in a i tobacconist shop opposite and destroyed a large window in a garage behind the factory. The building, which was believed to | contain wooden materials, varnish and | paints, was destroyed by lire, although | there were live brigades endeavouring j to nut cut the flames. | Flsie Surrest. aged 41. when admitj ted to hospital suffering from extensive i burns, told the police that she went to the factory to meet a friend and practise singing. After waiting soma time, she thought her friend might be inside the building, and was about to j open the back door of the factory when the explosion occurred.