LATEST CABLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 March 1910, Page 3

LATEST CABLES

MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.

EXTRAORDINARY INCIDENT AT FITZROY. [PES PBE3S ASSOCIATION—COPTBIOHX.J

MELBOURNE, March 20. Four shops in Brunswick Street, Fitz-

roy, were destroyed by a mysterious explosion. Eleven persons residing on the wrecked premises, including Crabtree (a grocer) were seriously injured, being buried in the debris. Mrs. Sneddon and daughter were severely hurt. The explosion was accompanied by a vast sheet of flames, supposed to be attributable to gas, but details are meagre.

Four shops were almost, demolished by the explosion.

A man named Shaw confessed to the police that recently Crabtree effected an insurance on his stock and removed about £4OO worth of stock. Shavings were carted to Crabtree's premises in large quantities and on Friday night Crabtree saturated these with methylated spirits and benzine. It was arranged that when the place was well alight Shaw should jump from the verandah and give (lie alarm, but the scheme miscarried. When Crabtree struck a light a violent explosion followed and Shaw knew no more. The explosion damaged forty-seven other buildings, the majority but very slightly. Both sides 'of the street suffered fioni the explosion, all the windows for a long distance being shattered.

CONFESSION OF INCENDIARISM. Received this day at 10.30 a.m. According to a confession by Shaw, who is Crabtrees' assistant, preparations for the lire were proceeding for three weeks. Goods were removed dining the night to another of Crabtrees' shops at Brunswick. Crabtree, when confronted with Shaw's confession, while modifying his own previous statement denied Shaw's story. He stated that lie found the laps of Hie gas stove turned on. When he lit a match an explosion followed. Detectives state that they have evidence supporting Shaw's story. Crabtrees' leg is broken and badly burned. Crabtree and Shaw remain in the hospital. The Sneddon family had a miraculous escape. One little girl lying in bed w;is buried in debris and \v;is only saved (nun being crushed to death by the door jambing. A girl named Lewis fell in a hod from the top room to the next floor and was uninjured.