EXPLOSION AT AUCKLAND

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17385, 23 April 1928, Page 5

EXPLOSION AT AUCKLAND

SHOPS PARTLY WRECKED. MUCH DAMAGE DONE. AUCKLAND, Monday. About 10.30 yesterday morning a sudden explosion, caused by the fusing of arr underground electric cable, partly wrecked two shops at the corner of Queen Street and Quay Street. In the premises of Keans, Limited, mercers and men’s outfitters, four plate-glass windows were shattered by the concussion, while the adjoining shop of Mr B. R. Arnott, tobacconist, also suffered considerable damage.

The force of the explosion was sufficient to shatter the large window facing Quay Street, while the pavement outside the shop was forced up. Inside Mr Arnott’s shop all the stock was shaken from the shelves, a heavy cash register being thrown down from its position. The floor was buckled and forced upward, while an interior partition was forced out of position. A safe was moved 10ft., and several of the counter cases were broken. Contents of the window were shaken from their shelves.

After the power had been turned off the brigade, Using chemical appliances, extinguished the flames burning above the pavement. Fortunately there was no one standing at the spot when the explosion occurred. Another call to an outbreak of fire caused by the fusing of an electric cable was received yesterday morning, the fire, which was situated at. the coi* ner of Symonds Street and Wellesley Street East, in front of the Wynyard Arms Hotel, was easily suppressed before any damage resulted.