STOVE EXPLOSION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19373, 10 July 1937, Page 16

STOVE EXPLOSION

WOMAN AND SON HURT METAL THROWN ADULT EIRE SOON EXTINGUISHED An explosion of considerable force in a stove at the residence of the Hatch family in Sewell street, Hokitika, resulted in injuries to Mrs. limma Creagh and her eight-year-old son, Gerard Creagh. A tire had been lit in the stove and the explosion occurred some time afterward. The stove was blown to pieces, also a large iron kettle on the stove. Burning coal and ashes were blown all over the room and the walls were dented by the force of flying pieces. Mrs. Creagh and her son were in the room at the time and were struck by pieces of metal and burning fuel. Mrs. Creagh was taken to Dr. L. B. Wilson’s surgery, where several stitches were required in the face, four on the side of the cheek and one under the chin, and several on her legs. She also suffered from burns. The boy received more serious injuries and after treatment was taken to the Westland Hospital. He was injured from flying debris and also suffered burns of a serious nature on the body and legs.

An eider son, who was just entering the room when the explosion occurred, narrowly escaped being struck in the face by flying metal. One piece struck his leg, tearing a large hole in his trousers at the knee. The kitchen was a wreck. Luckily the resulting fire was extinguished in its early stages, causing only minor damage. The explosion was accompanied by a deafening ,noise and apparently was due to a piece of explosive contained in the coal. Mrs. Hatch, an elderly lady, fortunately was still in bed at the time of the explosion, but the effect of the shock will be most serious for some time.