MASKED WORKMEN SEAL GAS MAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18644, 22 December 1928, Page 1

MASKED WORKMEN SEAL GAS MAIN.

WORST DANGERS ARE NOW OVER,

(Received December 22, 12.30 pm.) RUGBY, December 21.

Masked workmen this jifternoon sue ceeded in sealing up the great gas main beneath the road in High Street, Hoiborn, from which gas had been pouring since the explosion that did so much damage occurred yesterday. After the main had been sealed the flames which had been spouting up in the centre of the road for thirty hours, were put out. The authorities dared not put them out before as the flames acted as a safety valve by consuming the escaping gas.

Experts and officials are of the opinion that although some risk of further explosion still exists the greater danger has now passed.

Policemen, firemen, ambulance and gas officials arc still on guard lest further explosions should occur. One great point which has yet to be settled about the explosion is its primary cause. The Gas Company emphatically repudiate responsibility. They state that the trouble began in a duct conveying Post Office telegraph cables, where electrical work was in progress, and express the opinion that the first explosion was due to bitumen gas generated by the insulation on the electric cables and that this explosion damaged the gas mains and caused the further trouble.

It is understood that a Government inquiry will be held to establish the responsibility.—British Official Wire-