There was not much headroom in the cellar, and splinters from the joists in the head were not popular. It was decided that they should be boarded over. A job for hardboard and panel pins!
Just have to be a little careful around the light, the gas meter and the electric cables. It wouldn't be wise to break the bare light bulb, it would be totally dark down there. Hardboard can be slippery stuff when attempting to pin it upwards into a joist that could not be seen because the board was now in the way.
Now did the cable to the light run on the left or the right of the joist? Have to be careful to avoid the flexible steel hose from the gas meter.
With unerring accuracy the pin missed the joist, remained in contact with the hammerhead as the pin pierced the cable to the light fitting, forming a perfect contact with the live cable at the very moment the claw contacted the thin flexible steel hose that connected to the gas meter. It was well earth bonded.
In close succession, there was a bright blue flash and bang, the light bulb became dark and a jet of yellow flame shot across the cellar.
Following the brief sensation of heat, there was an instant when the smell of singed eyebrows was rapidly replaced by that of raw gas, an enveloping darkness breaking through the purple and green after-images that swam before my eyes, and a loud hiss that led me blindly to the source of the noise and smell.
Where was the cut-off lever? I did not have to feel too far, and it was a relief to hear how effective it was.
The next challenge was to find the steps leading to the cellar door. It did not seem prudent to try and find the consumer unit and reset the lighting circuit at that time.
Forward an hour and a half, and the nice emergency gasman had come and replaced the damaged connection, pin had been removed from cable, which had been replaced and rerouted, light was restored and most of the boarding completed.
It was a good result, considering the alternatives, really.
Just have to be a little careful around the light, the gas meter and the electric cables. It wouldn't be wise to break the bare light bulb, it would be totally dark down there. Hardboard can be slippery stuff when attempting to pin it upwards into a joist that could not be seen because the board was now in the way.
Now did the cable to the light run on the left or the right of the joist? Have to be careful to avoid the flexible steel hose from the gas meter.
With unerring accuracy the pin missed the joist, remained in contact with the hammerhead as the pin pierced the cable to the light fitting, forming a perfect contact with the live cable at the very moment the claw contacted the thin flexible steel hose that connected to the gas meter. It was well earth bonded.
In close succession, there was a bright blue flash and bang, the light bulb became dark and a jet of yellow flame shot across the cellar.
Following the brief sensation of heat, there was an instant when the smell of singed eyebrows was rapidly replaced by that of raw gas, an enveloping darkness breaking through the purple and green after-images that swam before my eyes, and a loud hiss that led me blindly to the source of the noise and smell.
Where was the cut-off lever? I did not have to feel too far, and it was a relief to hear how effective it was.
The next challenge was to find the steps leading to the cellar door. It did not seem prudent to try and find the consumer unit and reset the lighting circuit at that time.
Forward an hour and a half, and the nice emergency gasman had come and replaced the damaged connection, pin had been removed from cable, which had been replaced and rerouted, light was restored and most of the boarding completed.
It was a good result, considering the alternatives, really.
