STREET EXPLOSION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1929, Page 5

STREET EXPLOSION

ELECTRIC CABLE FUSES. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) .AUCKLAND, i May 1. The fusing of an electric cable under the footpath in Queen Street, opposite the Chief Post Office, caused a severe explosion. The whole front of the small goods establishment of R. Cresney, Ltd., was wrecked. A plate glass window was blown out, and two side windows were shattered. Stock from the windows was scattered over the footpath and considerable damage was also done to the- fixtures and stock inside the shop. The manageress, Miss M. Brownlie, and four assistants, had a fortunate escape. None of* them were injured in any way, although all received a severe shock.

The adjoining premises, those of Mr J. AA r . Coleman, tobacconist, were more fortunate, although two windows at the side door were smashed as well as a large mirror at the rear of the windows and a number of plate glass shelves. The Itoek Was ithrown all over the pavement from both the side wndow and the main frontage, while there was also damage by smoko. On the other side of the scene of the explosion, the chemist shop of Mr AA\ R.. Taylor suffered a broken window on the Queen Street frontage, but there was no great damage to the contents.

An extension of the fire ran under the shop of It. Cliesney, Ltd. By cutting holes in the floor, the fire under the shop was soon mastered. AA'hile two or three outbreaks in the footpath died out when the current was turned off, the third outbreak persisted for ft short time longer. There was a shower of glass splinters when the explosion occurred, and H. P. Andrew, Headmaster of Curran Street School, Ponsonby, was struck in the foot by flying glass when lie was walking down some tram rails. He sustained a deep cut.

No estimate of the damage in the shop of R. Cliesney, Ltd., could be made to-night. Apart from the breaking of the windows, which are covered by a policy in an insurance office of Australia, there is about £2OO worth or stock on the promises, much of it being undamaged. The stock was also insured in the same office. No estimate could be given of the damage in the tobacconist’s shop, as here again the damage by smoke to the tobacco could not be assessed until stocktaking has been carried out. The premises and stock were also covered by insurance, the details of which are not vet known.