ROCKED BY EXPLOSION

Evening Star, Issue 22802, 10 November 1937, Page 4

ROCKED BY EXPLOSION

THE ANGELUS TEMPLE TWt PEIPLE SEVERELY INJURES Press Association —By Telegraph Copyright LOS ANGELES, November 9. The United Press correspondent reports that an explosion in the Angelas Temple shattered the windows and rocked the neighbourhood. The assistant janitor and a Bible student of the temple were found severely injured on the roof. They were unable to give an account of the occurrence. A box ot black powder was discovered nearby. [The Angelus Temple is the headquarters of the famous American revivalist, Mrs Aimee Semple M'Pherson., The temple is something like the Albert Hall in London in appearance, and _ every Sunday it is crowded with worshippers. The building has a vast dome painted to represent the heavens, and there is seating accommodation on the ground floor and in two galleries for about 3,500 people. Facing the audience high on the wall above the altar is a gigantic' phosphorescent cross lit up from within, while in front of the rostrum or pulpit from which the preacher speaks is accommodation for a large orchestra.] A GRIM PRANK ■ CONFESSION BY STUDENTS. NEW YORK, November 9. (Received November 10, at 10.6 a.m.) The two injured persons, both of whom are students, aged 17, confessed thaifc they carried powder to the roof for a fireworks display because they wanted a “ little excitement.” One struck a match prematurely, causing the explosion. It was a grim prank. On© youth’s hand was blown off and the wrist of the other severely burned. The damage to the temple was confined to windows. . The excitement in the neighbourhood was very great. The first reports to the police were that the temple had been bombed. Three girls in an adjoining school fainted.