£200,000 DAMAGE DONE BY EXPLOSION IN HIGH HOLBORN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 24 December 1928, Page 4

£200,000 DAMAGE DONE BY EXPLOSION IN HIGH HOLBORN.

(United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, December 22. The fire brigade estimates that in the High Holborn explosion on Thursday 2400 feet of roadway, and twenty buildings were damaged. About 1,680,000 feet, or three tons, of celluloid film were destroyed at the premises of the Overseas Film Services, Ltd. A rough estimate of the total damage to places involved in the wreckage is about £200,000. The question of liability is likely to be most complicated. The Gas Company blames the Post Office. The Town Clerk of Holborn expresses the opinion that the Gas Company must restore the thoroughfare. Business people and residents find consolation in the Home Office’s announcement that it is definitely holding an inquiry.

The “Daily Mail” asks: “Who is to pay for the damage in the Holborn explosion? Many buildings are badly damaged and the shopkeepers’ Christmas, trade is ruined. A hundred families are temporarily homeless. The Holborn Borough Council is sending a bill to the Gas Company, and adyises private individuals to do likewise. The company says that it will pass on the bills to the Post Office. The Post Office says nothing. It seems inevitable that there will be a crop of legal actions before responsibility is fixed and the claims met.”—Australian Press Association—United Service. COMMISSION APPOINTED. LONDON, December 22. The Home Office has appointed a commission of three members to report on the Holborn explosion, with a view to preventing a recurrence. It is explained that the commission will have nothing to do with the legal responsibility, and will be concerned only with the discovering whether further safeguards are necessary.—Australian Press Association.