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Investigators say it's too early to pinpoint the cause of the explosion that claimed the life of the Orewa college caretaker.
Labour Department inspectors spent all day at the site where 59-year-old Richard Nel was fatally injured.
He suffered burns to 90% of his body and died in Auckland's
Middlemore Hospital over Wednesday night.
A contractor was also seriously hurt in the blast. Robin Tubman, of
North Shore-based Tubman Heating Services, reportedly went into the
boiler room to get access to a power point, which is when the room
exploded.
Tubman suffered extensive facial injuries. He is in an induced
coma on life support at Auckland Hospital. Emergency surgery was
carried out last night to remove blood clots, and he is in a stable
condition.
The men were repairing the coal-fired boiler when it exploded with
such force it lifted the roof of the shed.
Fire safety officer Ray Coleman said he and Department of Labour investigators were back at the scene on Thursday.
Coleman, who is trying to determine the cause and the source of the fire, said it was too early to reach any conclusion.
He expected to remain on site for the day, while the department, which investigates all workplace accidents, could be there for a few days.
Orewa College, which has a roll of about 1700, was closed on Thursday.
Parents were asked to check their emails or the school's website, or listen to the local radio station to find out whether classes would resume on Friday.
Principal Kate Shevland said staff and pupils heard a loud explosion and could see steam coming from the boiler room.
An evacuation drill was initiated, and the school nurse and other staff members began giving first aid to the men until ambulance officers arrived.
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