SYDNEY STAMPEDE

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1938, Page 7

SYDNEY STAMPEDE

EXPLOSION AND FIRE

In Department Store

[Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] (Received May 19. 8.40 p m.) SYDNEY. May 19.

There was an explosion among fiieworks on a counter at G. J. Cole's main store, in Pitt Street, during the height of the snopping to-day. It caused a panic among crowds who were in the building. A fire followed the explosion, and it filled the place with smoke and fumes. , .... Women rushed from the exits into Pitt Street and King Street, their condition being hysterical. They were to be seen dropping their goods and personal effects behind them. Some of the girl employees of Cole’s were overcome with the smoke and fumes, and they were conveyed in ambulances to the hospital. Other girls were rescued from the upper floors by ladders. The blaze was subdued before much damage had been done either to the contents or the building. --