TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1933, Page 5

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

GELIGNITE NEAR FIRE. TWO PLUCKY WORKMEN. A catastrophe was narrowly averted lately at Katoomba, New South Wales, by the presence of mind and gallantry of two workmen, T. Challis and A. Hillier, employed by the Public Works Department on sewerage works. While the men were sitting in front of an open fire in a shed used by the men for drying their clothes, one of them noticed a plug of gelignite in front of the fire thawing and sputtering. ‘‘Jump for your lives, men,” he shouted, and Mr. Challis, who knew there was. a tin box containing 64 plugs pf gelignite at the back of the shed, picked up the box and, with the aid of Mr. Hillier, dumped it out of danger. Just as the men had removed the box a terrific explosion took place. It blew the men off their feet and shook houses a block away. One house 150yds away was bombarded with iron and wood. The part of the shed that was not demolished by the explosion was detroyed by fire.