Explosion Destroys Remuera Shop; Injures Five Men

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1938, Page 6

Explosion Destroys Remuera Shop; Injures Five Men

L Special To “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND. This Day. I VIOLENT EXPLOSION WHICH DESTROYED ONE SHOP AND ft PARTIALLY WRECKED SEVERAL OTHERS IN A BLOCK AT THE CORNER OF REMUERA ROAD AND VICTORIA AVENUE, REMUERA, ABOUT 7.30 A.M. YESTERDAY, WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIVE PEOPLE BEING INJURED, AND DAMAGE TO THE EXTENT OF £2OOO BEING DONE. The explosion followed an alarm of fire, and a number of other people, including firemen, were, blown off their feet, narrowly escaping serious injury. The injured people are: — - Mr Alfred Patrick Lynch, aged 46, married, garage proprietor, of 144 Remuera Road; compound fracture of the right arm. severe cuts and abrasions; condition satisfactory. Mr F. T. Barber, of Remuera. .*!... t :. ■ Mr Daniel Glennon, of the Remuera Fire Brigade. Mr Albert Clarke, of the Remuera Fire Brigade. Mr D. P. Randall, of the Parnell Fire Brigade, The last four received minor injuries. All five victims were taken tc the Auckland Hospital, but, with the exception Of Mr Lynch, were discharged after having received treatment.

Caused by Explosive Gas? It is believed that the explosion was caused through some explosive gas from a source not yet determined, in the shop of Mr R. D. Wylie, chemist, being ignited by a fault in the electric cafele, Investigations were made today. A passing motorist seeing thick smoke near the front of the shop, gave the-alarm, but the Remuera and Parhell Brigades’ engines had barely stopped when the explosion occurred, with a roar which awoke startled residents over a wide area. The front and side of Mr Wylie’s shop were blown # out, and shattered glass was hurled across both Remuera Road and Victoria Avenue, "Windows being broken in nearby premises. Firemen and spectators nearby were thrown off their feet by the concussion. Fortunate Escape. Mr John McDonald, officer-in-charge of the Bemuera Fire Station, had a fortunate escape. He was making a preHmiridry inspection of the chem-

ist's shop, and had just turned his back to walk to the fire engine when the explosion occurred. The fierce rush of air sent him staggering across the road, with flying glass all round him, but he was not hurt. Mr Randall, still on the fire engine, could not escape, and a small piece of glass struck his right eye. He managed to throw himself down and dodge a heavy section of leadlight which flew through the air, missing his head bv inches, and landing no less than 50 feet away. The inside of Mr Wylie’s shop was a complete shambles after the explosion; Its stock was cast about in a hopeless litter*, electric fittings and a radio set being scattered about with the general debris. The floor was knee-deep in wreckage. Other Premises Suffer. Other premises nearby also suffered severely. Although there was little traffic about at the time, motorists had difficulty in negotiating the roads until firemen had swept the surfaces clear of the debris. It is understood Mr Wylie’s premises were covered by insurance. but details are not yet available. Cause Of Blow-Hu Being Investigated t Per Press Association. Copyright.] AUCKLAND. This Day. The cause of the explosion in the Remuera chemist shop has not been definitely established, but experts are investigating the matter. “Wo are going to have a thorough investigation inside the building to see If there were any pipes leaking, but that cannot be done until the debris has been cleared away,” said Mr R. H. Bartley, manager of the Auckland Electric Power Board.

The owner of the shop, Mr Wylie, said that the damage in the shop alone is over £2OOO. He was not able yet to state what is the structural damage to the building.