MAN’S CLOTHING ABLAZE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 September 1934, Page 7

MAN’S CLOTHING ABLAZE

SERIOUS BURNS INFLICTED.

BENZINE FUMES IGNITED.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night.

Severe burns to the body were received by an employee of the Maungaturoro Hotel, Edward Mahoney, aged 56 and single, when his clothes were set alight while he was pouring benzine. The man had been employed at the hotel only since Monday. Mahoney had gone to a building about 50 yards from the hotel to replenish a tank of petrol on an engine used to generate electric power. As he was pouring the benzine the fumes were ignited by a candle lantern which was standing a short distance away. Benzine was splashed over his clothing, which was quickly in flames. Mahoney rushed into the yard shouting for assistance. His cries were heard by an occupant of an upstairs room, who stripped the bedclothes from a bed and threw them from the window to the yard below. Attracted by the shouts others in the hotel hastened to the scene and they used the bedclothes to smother the flames.

Mahoney’s clothes were almost completely destroyed by the flames and he suffered severe burns practically all over his body. His condition is very serious.