MELBOURNE EXPLOSION
FINDING OF THE CORONER. " WILFULLY SET ON FIRE." Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 11.55 p.m.) MELBOURNE, June 9. At the inquest in connection with the explosion at Richmond on April 19, the coroner found that the premises occupied by Alan J6hn Duignan—-not Duncan as previously cabled —were wilfully set on fire by Duignan and Andrew Nelson, whom he committed for triaL Fire was observed shortly after mi.dnight on April 19 in a two-storey brick building at Richmond occupied by Duignan as a motor and electrical accessories shop. His young wife and two children also lived there; Flames were noticed issuing from the roof by a man living opposite. He had hardly noticed the outbreak when a terrific explosion lifted the building from its foundations and crumbled it into a heap of ruins. Police investigation shows that the explosion was caused by gelignite, several plugs of which were found in the vicinity. Altogether the frontages of 53 shops were destroyed, and tho damage was estimated at £30,000.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250610.2.64
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19040, 10 June 1925, Page 9
Word Count
169MELBOURNE EXPLOSION New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19040, 10 June 1925, Page 9
Using This Item
NZME is the copyright owner for the New Zealand Herald. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons New Zealand BY-NC-SA licence . This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of NZME. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Auckland Libraries and NZME.
Log in