AVONDALE TOTE HOUSE

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1924, Page 1

AVONDALE TOTE HOUSE

BLOWN l'l> BY EXPLOSION. Lnr telegraph — rEn rnF.ss association*. AUCKLAXI). Sept. 22. A terrific explosion, the cause o which is not known, occurred at 8.1.' p.m. to-night ill the totalis, ■itor build mg at the Avondale Racecourse, re suiting ill heavy damage, and the destruction of valuable mnehiuerv. Following on the explosion,' a || rf hrohe out in the building, hut it was promptly mat sored by the Avondale Fire Brigade. The first indication of anything amiss was the sudden sound of the explosion and a shaking effect felt in the houses throughout the district. Then came a sheet of vivid flame, lighting up the racecourse and giving a clear indication of the seat of the trouble. When the Brigade arrived, the centre of the building was enveloped in flames. All around lay sheets of iron, blown from the roof, hor a space of sixty foot, the roof covering had gone, leaving the girders naked lo the sky. Twelve leet of front wall was blown out. and tin* buildings ami windows shattered, "bile inside, tin* expensive maehinerv used in connection with the working ol the totalsator lav in a confused heap of twisted debris. Bract ienlly (he whole of tin- damage was due to the exidoHm. the two ends of the long building escaping except that they were heavily flooded with water. The damage extends into thousands of pounds. It is understood the building and the contents are fullv insured but the amount is not available. The first arrivals at th<‘ lire found the totalisator door with the lock forced inwards with a bracket torn from the wall, and the tongue of the lock protruding. I his door was a considerable distance from the seat ol tin* explosion.