Why did J.P. Knight's initial traffic signal system in London fail swiftly?

Answer

A leak in the gas line caused an explosion, injuring the operator.

The system, which relied on gas power, experienced a gas line leak, leading to an explosion in early 1869, which highlighted the fragility of combustion-based management.

Why did J.P. Knight's initial traffic signal system in London fail swiftly?
inventionHistoryautomationtransporttraffic light