A REAL DANGER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20509, 10 January 1935, Page 14

A REAL DANGER.

Using Petrol Near a Fire. Frequent warnings issued by the File Brigade against the danger of rising petrol near a fire have not sufficed to prevent the dangerous practice (says the “ Post"). In spite of the fact that Superintendent C. A. Woolley of the Wellington Fire Brigade drew attention to the risk only a few days ago, two fires have since resulted from the injudicious combination of petrol and fire. In one instance, a man was washing clothes with petrol, only two or three feet from a fire under a copper, and in the other, which occurred on Thursda}', petrol was used to start a fire in a kitchen stove. Those who wish to use benzine should remember the fatal consequences of an accident which happened in Wellington last year, when a man died from burns received from the ignition of a benzine vapour mixture. “ Motor-spirit vapour has been known to ignite at a distance of 40 feet from the source of the liquid, and it will, therefore, be readily recognised and should be appreciated that the unrestricted handling and use of motor spirit is extremely dangerous, and often a costly experience,” said Superintendent Woolley in his statement published last week. The danger arising from the careless use of petrol was due, he said, to: 1. The volatility of the spirit. 2. The relatively small percentage of vapour necessary to form an explosive mix ture with air. 3. The readiness with which the vapour can be ignited by a spark or flame. 4. The heavy density of the vapour, enabling it to travel or flow considerable distances without mingling with the air and thus forming eventually an ignitable mixture at I some distance from the original source.