SHOPS WRECKED.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18362, 21 April 1925, Page 9

SHOPS WRECKED.

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

A MELBOURNE MYSTERY'.

(by CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPrRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. * CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

MELBOURNE, April 20.

A mysterious explosion at Richmond destroyed thirty shops, and did damage running into thousands of pounds. Police and firemen are searching the debris for the bodies of three people who lived over the shop where tho explosion occurred, but neighbours state that they were away for the week-end. The explosion occurred in premises occupied by Duncan's Electrical Supply Company. The parapet of the building was hurled 100 feet in the air and verandahs were lifted two blocks away. There wero many narrow escapes from falling glass. The noise of the explosion was terrible. It was heard miles off.. No cause can be given for the explosion.

A DELIBERATE CRIME.

GELIGNITE FOUND IN RUINS.

(Received April 21st, 12.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE, April 20.

Details of the explosion show that fire was observed in a two-storey brick building in Bridge road, occupied by J. Duncan, as a Jnotor and electrical accessories shop, shortly after midnight. Duncan's young wife and two children also lived there. Flames were noticed issuing from the roof by a man living opposite. He had hardly noticed the outbreak when a terrific explosion lifted the building from its foundations and crumbled it into a heap of ruins. Coincident with the explosion a great sheet of flame shot into the air and debris of all descriptions was scattered round. The windows in every shop were shattered, fittings dislodged, and stocks exposed and scattered in all directions. Tho exposed Btocks proved toe great a temptation to the crowds who quickly gathered and looting becaftie rife. The concussion of the ex* plosion threw neighbours out of bed, while others were covered by showers of falling plaster. The flames were quickly controlled, but the firemen worked frantically all night in an endeavour to extri6ato people supposed to be buried in the ruins. Early in the morning word was received that Duncan and his family were away for the week-end. Police investigations showed that the explosion was not due to petrol, as at first supposed, but was deliberately caused by gelignite, several plugs of which were found in the vicinity. It is suggested that the explosion is a result of a feud, with Duncan as the innocent victim. The police are looking for a man discharged from gaol a short time ago. Altogether the frontages of thirtythree shops were destroyed, and damage estimated at £30,000 was done. Although there were many narrow escapes, no one was injured. The force of the explosion was felt at Hawthorn, two and u half miles away, where it was thought to be an earth tremor.