A MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 344, 21 March 1910, Page 5

A MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.

FOUR SHOPS DESTROYED. SEyERAL PEOPLE INJURED. By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright Received March 19, 5.50 ip.m. ! Melbourne, March 19. Four shops in Brunswick street, Fitzroy, were destroyed by a mysterious explosion. Of the eleven persons residing in the wrecked premises, Crabtree, a grocer, was seriously injured, being buried in the debris, whilst Mrs' Sneddon and daughter were severely hurt. The explosion was accompanied Dy i vast sheet of flame, supposed to be attributable to gas, but details are meagre. INCENDIARISM. A SCHEME MISCARRIES. CONFESSION BY A CONFEDERATE.

Received March 20, 5.5 p.m. Melbourne, March 20.. The four shops' were almost demolished by the explosion. A man na«r :l Shaw confessed to the police that recently 'Crabtree effected an insurance over his stock, and afterwards removed about ,£4OO worth. Shavings were carted in in large quantities. He and Crabtree on Friday night Saturated these with methylated spirits and bunzine. It was arranged that when the place was well alight Shaw should jump from the verandah and give the alarm, hut the scheme miscarried. When Crabtree struck a light a violent explosion followed. Shaw knew no more. FORTY-SEVEN BUILDINGS INJURED Received March 21. 12.40 a.m. ' Melbourne, Last Night. The explosion damaged other buildings, the majority slight.lv, on both sides of the street. All the •windows for a long distance were shat tered.