PETROL FUMES IGNITED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27274, 28 December 1949, Page 4

PETROL FUMES IGNITED

USE OF STORM LANTERN TAXI ALMOST DESTROYED PA NELSON, Dec. 27. A storm lantern used to inspect damage when a vehicle owned by Motueka Taxis had an accident near Pangatotara after midnight on Saturday, ignited escaping petrol, and' the body of the taxi was practically destroyed.

Mr G. Harford, a partner in the firm, was driving up the Matueka River road when he was forced to pull over to the extreme edge of the road by an approaching vehicle. His inner rear wheel sank in a culvert, and the acute angle caused petrol to leak from the recently-filled tank.

A storm lantern used to examine the extent of the damage ignited the escaping petrol, and in spite of the combined efforts of Mr Harford and his passengers, the body and rear portion of the car were almost completely destroyed. ■ In his efforts to beat cut the flames, Mr Harford was burnt on the leg and arms. He suffered an additional loss in bank notes destroyed in his coat and in the car locker.