SEVERE BURNS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18503, 15 September 1934, Page 8

SEVERE BURNS

BENZINE IGNITES HOTEL EMPLOYEE’S MISHAP (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Severe burns to the body were received by an employee of Maungaturoto Hotel, Edward Mahoney, 56, single, when his clothes were set alight while he was pouring out benzine. The man had been employed at the hotel only since Monday. 110 had gone to a. building about 50yds. from the hotel to replenish the tank of a petrol engine used to generate elec trier power. As he was pouring tho benzine the fumes were ignited by a candle lantern which was standing a. short distance away. Benzine had splashed over his clothing, which was quickly in flames. Mahoney rushed into the yard shouting for assistance. His cries were heard by tho occupant of an upstairs room, who stripped the bedclothes from his bed and threw them from the window to the yard below. Attracted by shouts, others in tho hotel hastened to the scene and they used the bedclothes to smother the flames. Mahoney’s clothes wore almost completely destroyed by flames, and the man suffered severe burns practically all over his body. His condition is very serious.