TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 92, 20 April 1938, Page 7

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

FUSING OF UNDERGROUND CABLES AUCKLAND FOOTPATH ON FIRE [ Per Prill Aeiodatlon. AUCKLAND, April 19. Dull red flames and a terrific explo sion startled a large crowd at the junction of the Great South Road and the Manukau Road this morning at 8.30, when the fusing of underground electric cables caused a fierce outbreak of fire. The footpath resembled a miniature Wairakei, the intense heat causing the bitumen to bubble, smoke shooting skyward from many vents in the pavement. The flames were enveloped in the smoke of burning rubber and bitumen. The Parnell and Remuera fire brigades arrived to see flames shooting up a wooden power pole. After a crowd had gathered, explosions occurred at intervals during a period of 20 minutes, and It was only when the power was turned off and the plugs were withdrawn from the pole that the flames stopped, enabling brigades to quench the blazing pole and footpath with chemicals. Two plateglass windows of Mr. J. W. Rewcastle’s confectionery and tobacconist shop were cracked by the heat. “It was a terrible experience,” said Mr. Rewcastle. “My wife and I ran out of the back of the shop as soon as we saw the flames. The heat was so great that had the wind noj been blowing away from the shop, the damage would have been serious.”

POWER BOARD MANAGER’S STATEMENT. [ Per Presi Asiociution.J AUCKLAND, April 19. Mr. R. H. Bartley, manager of the Auckland Power Board, said that the explosion was the result of a fault in the steel conduit carrying the electric wires. The conduit had recently been moved, and, apparently, in the process the cable had been damaged and had gradually developed the fault which resulted in the fusing of the wires. The only damage done was to the footpath, conduit, and cable. He had ascertained that the shop windows opposite had been previously damaged by a motor-car collision.