GELIGNITE EXPLOSION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 119, 22 April 1925, Page 10

GELIGNITE EXPLOSION.

DAMAGE IN VICTORIA. MELBOURNE, April 20. Details of the explosion at Richmond by which 33 shops were destroyed, show that tire was observed shortly after midnight in a two-storey brick building in Bridge road, occupied by J. Duncan as a motor and electrical accessories shop. Duncan’s young wife and two children 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 the foundations and crumbled it into a heap of ruins. Coincident with tho 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. The exposed stocks proved too great a temptation to the crowds, who quickly gathered and looting became rife. The concussion of the explosion 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 extricate tho people supposed to be buried in the ruins. Early in the morning word was received tliat Duncan and his family were away for the week-end. Police investigations show that the explosion was not due to petrol as was at first supposed, but was deliberately caused by gelignite, several plugs ot which were found in the vicinity. It is suggested that the explosion is the result of a feud, with Duncan as the innocent victim. The police are looking for a man who was discharged from gaol a short time' ago.

Altogether, the frontage of 33 shops were destroyed. Although there were many narrow escapes, no one was injured. The force of the explosion was felt at Hawthorn, two and a-half miles away, where it was thought to be an earth tremor. — Press Association.