MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION

Evening Star, Issue 19062, 3 October 1925, Page 10

MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION

THE GEORGE STREET SENSATION IiHTRAGED LEAKAGE OF GAS Though there is no suggestion of a bomb plot, yesterday’s sensational explosion at the Georgo street confectionery shop occupied by Miss K. Barnett, details of which were given in last evening’s ‘ Star,’ is invested with enough mystery to baffle all the authorities who have been engaged in attempts to locate the cause. Neither tho city electrical engineer (Mr M. C. Henderson) nor the superintendent of the Fire Brigade (Mr A. 0. Napier) could give any definite explanation when approached to-day. Both made a visit to the premises. Little doubt existed; said Mr Henderson, that tho immediate cause was a short circuit; but short circuits were a common occurrence, and it all had tho result that yesterday’s accident provided, the department would be “ out of business.” He thought there was evidently a leakage of gas, but how it came to be leaking was more than ho could elucidate. Among other causes the leakage may have been effected through a fault in the electric main or a perforation in tho gas supply pipe. Statements have been made that for two days the locality provided nasal evidences of a gas leakage. Prior to the accident Miss Barnett was informed, as was mentioned yesterday, that smoko was rising from a grating. Corporation employees were summoned, and Messrs A. Davies and F. Rentes, of tho electrical department, had an unenviable experience, the explosion taking place when they were down in the collar trying to locate the trouble about which the complaints had been made. , , Mrs Smith, tlm only bystander, whose injuries—curiously enough, in view of the force of the explosion and the numbers passing at the time—were serious enough to necessitate treatment at the hospital, was to-day reported to have slightly improved. She lias scalp injuries. „ The shop was owned by Mr ». Solomon. The building was insured with the Queensland Company for £550, and tho verandah fronting Miss Barnett's premises and three adjacent shops was insured with the same company for £250. That company also covered the risly of the plate glass window and fittings (which the exK’ don totally destroyed) _ for £34. stock and personal effects were Insured with tho New Zealand Insurance Company for £4OO.