EXPLOSION AND FIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 66, 19 March 1942, Page 3

EXPLOSION AND FIRE

WORKERS' NARROW ESCAPE MAN WITH CLOTHES AFLAME JUMPS IN WATER IP.A.) Auckland, March 18. With clothes aflame as a result ol m explosion of inflammable spirit tear which he was working, a man nitigated the extent of his injuries by jumping into a drum full of water. Tis sister, who was conversing with iim, also suffered burns but not of such an extensive nature. Those concerned were Charles Soar, single, aged 41. labourer, and Mrs. Gladys May Easton, laboratory assistant. Both were admitted to lospital suffering from extensive burns. Both Mrs. Easton and Soar are employed by Easton Products, Ltd. It s believed the explosion and fire occurred when a tube became disconrected from the gas-ring on which a compound was being boiled in a brick ;hed at the rear of the oremises. Between the shed and the main □uilding. a wooden structure, is a con•reted yard about 40 feet square, wavily stocked with large drums of chemical substances, some of them tighly inflammable. Almost instantaneously with the first explosion in he shed the yard was a mass of roarng flames. Drums hurst and buckled vith the heat, and their contents ran >ver the ground. The covered way connecting the two buildings was luickly ablaze, and had they displayed ho slightest hesitation in getting ■lear the two victims would have ha ? mmll chance of escape. Soar jumped nto a drum of water and then made lis way through a fence to safety. The fire brigade effected a remarktblc save in keeping the flames from