|
|
Witnesses sought over gas explosion - Raymond Terrace
Date: 4/01/2009
Police are seeking witnesses to a gas explosion that has caused major damage to buildings in the main street of Raymond Terrace, in the state’s Hunter Valley.
Police believe a number of garbage bins were set alight at the rear of a community centre in Port Stephens Street around 10 o’clock last night.
The fire ignited an adjacent 150kg L.P.G. cylinder, resulting in an explosion that caused extensive damage to the two storey building and blew out windows in a telephone exchange next door.
A number of other buildings were damaged by the shock wave.
Debris from the blast was strewn 200 metres along the street, while the gas bottle was propelled through the air, shearing a large branch off a nearby tree.
The bottle then struck the brick wall of a building 100 metres away.
Police from the Port Stephens Local Area Command responded quickly to the location and secured the crime scene.
A large section of the car parks behind the main Raymond Terrace shopping precinct will remain cordoned off to the public for most of the day as forensic officers examine the area for clues.
Six locals youths, aged 14, are assisting Port Stephens detectives with their inquiries.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Raymond Terrace police on (02) 4983 0599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Back To Top
|
|