What caused the immediate failure of J.P. Knight's 1868 gas signal?

Answer

A leak in the gas line causing an explosion

Just one month after its installation, J.P. Knight's gas-lit signal suffered a catastrophic failure when a leak in the gas line caused the device to explode, demonstrating the need for a safer power source.

What caused the immediate failure of J.P. Knight's 1868 gas signal?
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