EXPLOSION OF GAS IN MASTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLX, Issue 8166, 18 August 1887, Page 6

EXPLOSION OF GAS IN MASTERTON.

(united association.) Mastekton, August 17. About 8 o’clock this morning an explosion of gas took place at the residence of Mr McKenzie, Worksop-road, which, beside placing tbe inmates in considerable danger, caused serious damage to a building and;a portion of its contents. At the time stated Mr McKenzie, noticing a strong smell of gas about the house, went into the sitting-room to ascertain where the .leak was. He got on top of the table and struck a match, when a terrific explosion took place. He was hurled to the floor, and the whole room was in flames instantaneously. > Mrs McKenzie and three children were in the room at the time, and the force of the explosion shut the door, which, owing to the pressure from within, Mrs McKenzie ,was unable to open. As soon as Mr McKenzie recovered from the shock,he opened the door -and liberated his family, and then set to work at what seemed an almost hopeless task of putting out the fire. By dipt of a liberal application of water, the.flames were got; under, and what threatened to be a serions conflagration was averted. The force of .the explosion can be estimated when it is stated that the side of the house .waai blown out between three and four inches, the crockery ware on the: dresser in the back part of the premises was shaken off, and a trap-door.in one of the backroom ceilings , was blown out.. Nearly the whole of the ceiling and wall paper ’in the room was burned.off, the pictures on the wall were ■charred and destroyed, the window curtains were consumed, and every pain of glass in the windows .cracked 'by the heat. Added to this, the whole of the furniture. was, more or less damaged , by fire, . aorqe of- the chairs having actually caught alight. How Mr and Mrs McKenzie.escaped is miraculous. As it was, their heads .were singed before they were able to make their exit. It appears that gas was only laid on to the premises yesterday, and the gasfitter had not finished hia work. The house was insured in the North British Mercantile office. •