GAS EXPLOSION

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 90, 4 July 1930, Page 5

GAS EXPLOSION

MASTERTON SENSATION SHOP AND OFFICE WRECKED SEVERAL PERSONS INJURED MASTERTON, July 3.. A somewhat sensational gas explosion occurred in the main street of Masterton at about 4.10 p.m. to-day, as ft result of which Messrs Nicol and Co ’g tailoring premises were partly wrecked and two people injured. The explosion was of terrific forcfe, the window of the shop being shattered and glasq blown right across the street, while the interior of tho shop was wrecked. The glass nartitions between , the shop and the office, and also between the office and tho workroom, as Well as the largo windows at tho back of the workroom, woro all blown out. The marvel was that more peopl-> were not injured and that fatal injuries were not received bv those who were hurt. The injured arer-p MR ALFRED "WATSON, borough gas employee, broken thigh; in hospital. I MISS J. M. SCRTMGEOUR. employed I at the Catholic Presbytery, cuts on legs? condition not critical; in hospital; MRS J. L. HUGHES. of Masterton. bad cuts on legs, removed to her home. Others who received less severe cuts Wore Messrs ,T. B. Nicol. sen., and J. B. Wcnl, inn., who. together with a Cuahtnme'r. Mr Hugh McKenzie of Kopuaranga. were in tho office at the « back of the shop. Mr McKenzie esIcaped wi+h a few slight cuts. Mr Watson was working at a meter !n Messrs Nicola’ shop, annarentlv the pest, o* tho explosion, when it •occurred. The ton of the counter fell on iim. breaking his thigh. Miss Rcrimjgeonv was talking with Mrs Hughes outside the shop and both were blown against a motor car standing onj-he toad The pause of the explosion i„ not yet known. Boronvh gas employees, who had beep engaged in clearing a partly blocked p : ne te an adjoining shorn had 'cOTTgJeted blowing the pines and were conplinr' them ”n to the meter in Messrs Nicola’ shop when the explosion occurred.