TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17437, 8 April 1931, Page 7

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

GAS CYLINDER IN HOTEL POLICE SERGEANT KILLED Sergeant Geofgte Thomas Whjteley, officer in charge of the police force at Berrigan, New South Wales, was killed and nine people were injured when a fire at the Momalong Hotel Exploded' a gas cylinder in the bar. A number of other people were struck by flying fragments, bntrwere-notr mjflredT'Thti hotel was destroyed. The lire broke out jit 4.30 o’clock in the morning. It is believed .Td have originated. in one of -the parlors of the hotel, which was a large wooden building, situated in the middle of , the town. Spreading to tho bar, it caused the gas tube to explode with such terrific, force that the noise was heard six miles distant. .1~ ■ .Sergeant Whiteley was struck in the centre of the forehead by a piece of flying metal and died immediately. His dog, which had been standing by his side, was also killed. Ono piece of giis tubing weighing' about 2ewt. was hurled 156yds., and smaller, fragments were picked up 400yds. away .from - the hotel. Ono large piece struck a bank bnildingi oil the opposite side ot the street, damaging a window. 'tVU.fi _ Nothing was left of the hotel. The hoarders were forced to flee for. their lives and lost all their possessions. Sergeant Whiteley. leaves a- wife and five young children.. He .was- in his forty-third vear, and joined the force in 1910. ■ . ,/ ' ■