GAS EXPLOSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3437, 17 April 1879, Page 2

GAS EXPLOSION.

I Yesterday morning an oxplosion of gas /occurred in tho strong-room of a firm in (Hereford street;, undor the following cir'cumstanceß. The strong-room is lighted with gas, and on Monday, about midday, was inadvertently locked up, without tho gas being previously extinguished. Probably the air in fche room became very soon burnt out, and consequently the gas ceased to burn, though still escaping from tho jet. Yesterday morning thoae who came to tho offices at the uaual hour perceived a strong smell of gas, and soon discovered that it came from the strong-room. This they opened, , and found that the gas tap was turned full on. Tho tap was at once turned off, and a few minuteß allowed for the purification of tho air in thoroom. Either the time allowed was too brief, or more probably the ventilation was insufficient to carry off the superabundant gas. Bo fchafc as ifc may, upon the office-boy striking a match, in order to light the burner, nothing unusual took place, bufc on turning up the jet fcho gas, which doubtless had remained in the upper portion of fcho room, ignited, causing an alarming explosion. The office-boy was thrown with considerable violence against; fche wall, and the skin of his face and hands burnt off; his hair, too, caught fire, and his clothes were singed. It was fortunate fchat he received no more ■erious injuries,