“WITH ROAR LIKE THUNDER.”

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 27 April 1925, Page 9

“WITH ROAR LIKE THUNDER.”

Collapse of Big Building.

WORKMEN OVERWHELMED AND KILLED. By Oabl*—Praia Anociatlon—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Aiiociation. (Reoeived April 26, 6.6 p.m.). MELBOURNE, April 26. With a roar like thunder, the upper parts cf a, seven-storeyed building, in the course of erection in Swanston Street, in the City, collapsed shortly before knocking off time yesterday. Workers Overwhelmed. . -A large number of workmen who were engaged upon the building were overwhelmed. Four men were dead when extricated, and fifteen-injured. The building was being erected for the British and Australian TobaCco Company. The Fire Brigade was first on the scene and escape ladders were run up against the still quivering walls. Firemen rescued those who could be seen, while workmen made a feverish search for those of their mates who were buried. Two bodies were recovered by six o’clock, and another shortly after.

, Pluoky Rescuers.

At. eight o’clock, ,an architect ! examined the standing walls, \ and reported that /. there was , imminent danger of the floor upon which the rescuers were at work, collapsing, but;: , it was only after much argument, and when it was, pointed out that, the unfortunate men" were certainly dead, and that! forty other lives would be in momentary danger, that the men • would agree to leave off the: searcli > till daybreak. ' ■ < t Little warning of the collapse w4s given. On the fourth floor, . third , floor and roof were dozens of labourers, carpenters, plasterers) whitewaahers, , ; and painters. Pay envelopes were being passed round when suddenly ! there was heard a slow grinding . sound, and men saw the wall bulging outward, then , - contracting again, after which it fell like a sheet . in the wind. , Rush ‘for Exits. A rush for the exits followed. Those who rushed to the front were lucky, ’ while those who went, to the back were mostly caught. , The wall collapsed like a concertina, : other walls folded in, and the oeiling ‘fell in a shower of debris. Giant concrete pillars gave way under the strain of tons of falling concrete, much of, which pierced the fourth floor. The large crowds which quickly gathered hampered the work of the ambulances and police, and a special squad was rushed to the scene to , prevent people entering the building. After the workmen left, another, search was made by a small party,. and the remaining body recovered at ; ten o’clock. , }

The Killed. . . The "hamee of the dead are:— George Marshall, aged 43, whiter washing contractor, of Fitzroy. Reginald Shaw, aged 22, of Carlton. Victor Ingham, aged 35, of North- " i cote. > ~ . 1 Edgard Lydiard, aged 40, of Brunswick. The first three flien were married. Little is known at present regarding Lydiard. ■ >.. ■'■■■ EXPERTS PUZZLED AT COLLAPBE. ♦ 1 . ' . - ti ‘ SENSATIONAL DISCLOSURES PROMISED. By’ Cable—Pres* Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z, Cable Association (Received April 26, 5.5 p.m.) ' SYDNEY, April 26. Experts are mystified as to the cause of the collapse of the Tobacco Company’s building. It was to have been finished in the next two months. Sensational disclosures are expected at the inquest on the victims. .