EXPLOSION OF GAS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4427, 6 August 1901, Page 5

EXPLOSION OF GAS.

TRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, August 5. A serious explosion of coal gas occurred in a house occupied by Mr and Mrs Keane. When Mrs Keane and family were about to retire their attention -ras attracted by Mrs Keane’s sister, Mrs Sylvia, to a strong smell of gas. Mrs Keane entered a room to see if the burners were turned off, and had scarcely raised the candle above her head when an explosion occurred, which hurled her on the floor and set fire to her hair and clothing, also to that of Mrs Sylvia, and set the whole room in a blaze Mr Keane was going out of the back door -when he heard the report, and turning hack, he was met by the full force of the flames. He rushed into the sitting room and tore down the burning curtains and blinds, and succeeded in extinguishing the fire. The two ladies were seriouslv burned about the hands and face. Mr Keane, was also badly burned. All are now on the fair way to recovery. The exnlosion wa.s so violent that seventeen panes of glass were blown out, and one half of a French door opening frfcm the sitt'ngto the verandah was completely torn from its hinges.