TWO EXPLOSIONS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13745, 7 April 1915, Page 6

TWO EXPLOSIONS.

[United Press Association.]

Ashburton, April °>. By a strange coincidence two explosions occurred in Ashburton last evening, one at the Gas Company's works at the north end of the town, and the other at the Electric Light Company's power-house at the south end. In the latter case an assistant engineer named It. C. Price was starting one oi the large coupled c-ngines to generate power for the evening light at about 5.40 p.m.. when the gas expansion chamber at the back of the engine exploded. The concussion blew up several of the iron plates surrounding tho engines, and wrecked the skylight, while several pipes were also wrenched loose. Price was knocked over, and later it was found that he was suffering from shock, and that his right leg was badly inured. , ~ . ' At about 8 o'clock people living near the "asworks were startled by a loud explosion, and immediately afterwards a lurl'J Came shot up to a height of nearly 50ft from the engine-room at the works. 'There was only one man on duty (John Hen*-* Ibell,, married,,aboUt 40 yeai« of fage. • fh& aets;a& s|oker,' ©tci); He was found to we; suffering from burns .and shock, nsA^&s! removed to the Hospital1 immediately.- -Xnere »a a wooden floor to; the engme-room, ■and'-if is surmi&ed tnat a quantity ot foul gas had accumulated tbere_ and. taken* lire when a light was placed close to it. The 'en»ine-room"is a building witk brick sides and tiled roof. The latter was blown off and wrecked, and a good part of th; brickwork was blown down, but none of the machinery was riamacjed. ' ' . x.,, ~ The explosion? affected neither the gas nor the electric light service in tHe town. ' . .. The sufferers are progressing satisfactorily. "