BIG EXPLOSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 October 1925, Page 2

BIG EXPLOSION.

FNDER DI'NEDIN SHOP. [I)Y TELEGRAPH—PLK PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DL'NEDIN, October 3. Just before 3 o’clock this afternoon an explosion took place in .Miss C. Riirnet’s confectionary shop, George Street, the whole shop front being blown out. and several passers-by injured. One who was in the neighbourhood states that he heard a loud report. and then saw the whole of the shop, with its contents blown out on to the street. The theory is advanced that the electric wires fused and connected with the gas main.

Two persons were admitted to the hospital as a result of the explosion. They were Airs l>. Smith, of 235 George Street, who was suffering from a had cut in the head and shock, and Aliss Shiel. of St. Clair, who had a slight scalp wound. Airs Smith was admitted to the hospital, hut Aliss Shiel was able to proceed to her homo later in the afternoon. The rear portion of the shop escaped. Several people around the scene of the accident bore signs of injury. Some N bad cut hands and others abrasions/* A chemists shop next door was busily engaged in rendering first aid. A constable, who noticed smoke coming from the grating, went into the shop and informed the occupant. He had just left when the explosion oerurrotl.

The Eire Brigade was called, and speedily extinguished the burning floor and plugged the main. Air N. James, a member of the advertising staff of the “ Evening Star,” was passing at the time of the explosion. and says a flash of light was tho first indication he noticed of tho trouble. The loud report of the explosion was accompanied hy the propulsion of the plate glass window across the footpath. A great crowd of hy-staml-ers were there, and some of them were lying under the debris. An olithieak of lire followed.

The shop was extensively damaged, glass cases and mirrors being shattered. and the contents strewn about. The ceiling was hurst upwards, and the verandah fan lights wore blown out. The large shop plate glass window was blown bodily across the street, smashing into a thousand tragments on the opposite pavement. The roar of the explosion was heard several blocks away, mid the nearby buildings were severely shaken. Messrs A. Imvies and T. Keatcs. employed by the City Council Electrical Department, were sent to the shop about 2.30 to ascertain the cause of i.,0 smoke seen issuing from the cellar. Air Davies was feeling round in the darkness lor the electric meter, when the explosion suddenly occurred, while Rentes was thrown violently against one of the walls, but escaped injury. Both men had a miraculous escape from serious injury. When the explosion occurred tho footpath in front of the shop was strewn with debris. Airs Smith was thrown violently to the ground, and when picked up. was covered in blood. The actual cause of the explosion at present is unknown.