STRANGE DOINGS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 March 1910, Page 3

STRANGE DOINGS.

» EXPLOSION IN MELBOURNE. [BY KIiKCTRIO TELKGRAPH--COPTRIGUT.] fPER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] MELBOURNE, March IS). A mysterious explosion, resulting in the destruction of four shops, took place at Brunswick street, one of the lending thoroughfares of Fitzroy, ft suburb of Melbourne. Eleven persons were residing in the wrecked premises at the time of thij occurrence. A man named Crabtree, a grocer, was seriously injured. He was discovered buried in the debris. A Mrs Sneddon and her daughter were severely hurt. The explosion wns accompanied by a vnst sheot of flame. A CONFfISSfON. The four shops were almost demolished by the explosion. A man nnmed Shaw has made a confession to the police, 'alleging that recently Crabtree effected an insurance on his stock, and removed about £400 worth. Shavi'hgs were carted to the place in large quantity, and lie and Crabtree on Friday night saturated these with methylated spirits and benzine. It was nrranegd that when the place was well alight, Shaw should jump from the verandah and give the alarm, but the scheme- miscarried; nud when Crabtree struck a light a violent explosion followed. Shaw knew no more. FORTY-SEVEN OTHER BUILDINGS DAMAGED. The explosion damaged 47 other buildings, the majority slightly. On both sides of the street all the windows for a long distance were shattered. LATER PARTICULARS. MELBOURNE,- March 21. According to the confession of Shaw, who was Crabtree's assistant, preparations for the fire had been proceedinig for three weeks. The goods had been removed during the night to another of Crabtree's shops at Brunswick. Crabtree was confronted with Shaw's confession. While modifying his own previous statement, lie denied Shaw's story, and stated thnt he found the tap of the gas stove turned on. When be lit a match an explosion followed. The dfetectives state tluat they have evidence supporting Shaw's story. Crabtree's leg was broken and badly burned. Crabtree anul Shaw will remain in the hospital. The Sneddon family had a miraculous escape. One little girl, who was lying on a bed, wns buried in the debris and was only saved from being crushed to deatli by the uoor jambing. A girl named Lewis fell i'n her bed from a top room to the next floor, and escaped uninjured.