FORMAL VERDICT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18057, 6 April 1933, Page 11

FORMAL VERDICT

FATALITY AT FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXPLODES (Per Press Association.) HASTINGS, this day. Tho inquest concerning the death of William David Kenny, who died on March 25 as a result of the explosion of a lire extinguisher on the occasion of an outbreak of fire in the Post Office, whero he was employed, was resumed this morning. Luther Hill, postmaster at Hastings, gave evidence that there were no indications that the extinguisher was not in good working order. With others, it was cleaned and recharged fii November last. The extinguishers were frequently inspected according to instructions. Thomas Thompson, who was with the deceased on the night of the lability, said the deceased tapped the. extinguisher on the floor, "iic-re was only a trickle coming out, and the explosion occurred a moment later. Robert Henderson, fire brigade •superintendent, stated in evidence that he found one part of the extinguisher 35ft. away from where the explosion occurred. Apparently the extinguisher was partly blocked, though it appeared to have been properly cared for. The extinguishers were supposed to need recharging only once in 10 years, hut in Lis opinion the nozzle, should he attended to at least once a year. The cause of the, explosion appeared to ho the blockage of the nozzle. The extinguisher in question was supposed to withstand a pressure of 3201 b. to the square inch. Rust appearing in the shell of the mechanism may have been caused bv its having been empty. Albert Victor Harris, senior mechanician, gave evidence that the soda he id type extinguishers were refilled biennially. The manufacturer’s refill was different from that used in refilling the exploded machine. There were some of the manufacturer’s own refills actually in store at the office. The coroner remarked that lie was not concerned with further technical evidence concerning the cause of the explosion, and returned a formal verdict.