A tremendous explosion happened in a gunpowder factory, and after all the debris had been cleared an inquiry began.

One of the few survivors was asked for his statement.

“Okay Simpson,” said the investigator, “you were near the scene, what happened?”

“Well, it’s like this. Old Virgil Collins was in the mixing room, when I saw him take a cigarette out of his pocket and light up.”

“He was smoking in the mixing room?” the investigator said in stunned horror, “How long had he been with the company?”

“About twenty years.”

“Twenty years in the company, then he goes and strikes a match in the mixing room, I’d have thought it would have been the last thing he’d have would done.”

“It was.”