Page:Pyrotechnics the history and art of firework making (1922).djvu/157

 These are, of course, not a complete list, but only such cases as are brought to the notice of the English Home Office, but the extent of these clearly illustrates the value of the restrictions in force in this country.

During the same years the total of firework factory accidents in this country was thirteen, in which three persons lost their lives, and in no case was more than one person killed in any one accident. Indeed, in one instance only since 1875 has the number of deaths resulting from any accident exceeded two—on that occasion four deaths resulted.

An interesting type of accident, examples of which have taken place on several occasions, is that in which two compositions, one containing sulphur and the other chlorate of potash, are placed in contact in the paper case of a firework, and produce spontaneous combustion.

In one case a lance containing white and green composition burst into flame on the work bench. This provided an explanation to an explosion at the same factory which had taken place ten days before in a magazine containing between 6,000 and 7,000 lbs. of display fireworks.

An occurrence of a similar nature was observed at Brighton in 1903, when some changing coloured lights which had been removed from a building where a fire had taken place (the fireworks not being involved in any way) ignited some days afterwards.

It is thought that the lights may have been wetted during the fire, and upon drying out some days later the different compositions in contact in the case or cases set up chemical action, which resulted in spontaneous ignition. It was found on examination that a blue containing sulphur was in contact with a green containing chlorate. It may be noted here that mixtures which are damped during manufacture are more liable to spontaneous ignition than those manipulated in a dry state.