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Force of the explosion drove the four of them up the street, clinging together, "knocking them down and picking them up" repeatedly. Saw houses toppling, and women and chiodren [children] staggering from their doors, dripping with blood. Mrs. Soller's home badly damaged, only bath-room escaping unscathed. One bed cut in two. All plaster down. Walls forced out. None of her six children injured, except one who received several slight cuts.

N.B. Husband 66th. P.[?] L.F.

Mrs. Pettipas, Windmill Road.

Her bedroom is on the verandah with unobstructed view of the Narrows. At 8.35 a.m. she left kitchen for bed-room. Boats had slightly separated. The "MONT BLANC" was drifting, stern first, towards the Richmond docks. First there was a tiny flame, then five minutes later a slight explosion, with dull almost inaudible report [?], which was repeated every three minutes, growing louder. Mrs.Pettipas saw two friends on the corner of Dawson St and raised the window to speak to them. This saved her life. Then at 9:05 came the explosion. Thrown under bed. Floor crumpled up beneath her. Cool and conscious. Extricated herself in time to prop up hall stove which was tottering over. Rushed out to see if her mother were safe. Has been doing relief work ever since.

N.S> Mrs Pettipas is thoroughly reliable. Tiny woman, dark. Business woman. Has been "advertising woman" in the Chronicle Office.