HEAVY EXPLOSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1928, Page 10

HEAVY EXPLOSION.

TWO SHOPS WRECKED.

CORKER OF QUAY STREET AND

QUEEN STREET.

CAUSED BY FUSING ELECTRIC

CABLES.

An explosion occurred at the corner of Quay Street and Queen Street, opposite the Ferry Buildings, at about 10.30 a.m. yesterday. It caused considerable damage to two shops occupied by Keans, Ltd., and Mr. B. R. Arnott, tobacconist,

respectively,

The cause was the fusing of an underground electric cable—one of the early mains, laid about 18 years ago—close to where a service box had later been coupled to the main. The City Fire Brigade was called, and after the power had been turned off the flames were extinguished by the use of chemical appliances.

So great was the force of the explosion that a large plate-glass window in Ivean's shop, facing Queen Street, was shattered, whilst one side of an exterior showcase on the corner and other windows in Quay Street also suffered. The pavement outside the shop 5 was forced up.

Mr. Arnott's stock was considerably damaged. All the contents of the shelves were shaken to the floor, and a heavy cash register forced out of position. A safe was thrown 10ft away, several counter cases broken, and the floor- buckled and forced upward. Although the window remained intact, the goods on the shelves were thrown in all directions.

When the cable was laid, it was put down within 3ft of the shop fronts, but the system at present followed avoids much of the danger resulting from the older method, and the cables are now laid as far from the buildings as possible.

Questioned this morning concerning the mishap, Mr. R. H. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Electric Power 'Board, said the cause was simply a cable fusing. There was no way of telling how the old cables were standing: and it was quite possible • for a cable to be damaged for two or three yeairs; without it being known. Every precaution was taken, however, to save accidents.

Early yesterday morning the City Fire Brigade was called to another fused j cable at ;he corner of Welles ley Street 'and Symonda Street. No damage re-j suited. i