Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

Sydney Morning Herald, 15th Nov 1902.

Last night just before midnight the residents of Toowoomba and suburbs were startled by the sound of a tremendous explosion heard at least four miles away. The police immediately set out to investigate the matter and located the explosion at the house of Mr. Christy Miller situated near the Hospital for Insane.

It was a four roomed cottage, one room of which was ocupied by Mr.Miller and the room behind by his wife. A married son slept in one bed and a younger son, aged about 17, in another bed in the opposite corner. In the room on the other side of the house three children slept in one bed.

Police found the old woman, who was awakened by the sound of the explosion and a falling rafter striking her hip, but she was not hurt. At the foot of the bed was a large hole in the floor, evidently where the explosion occurred. The body of the old man was blown to atoms, the head and feet only being left intact. The head was found in a passage, and parts of the body were in the road a hundred yards away. The bed was not damaged so that Mr.Millers body must have been immediately over the explosion.

A youth in the next room was blown right across the apartment and was fearfully injured. His married brother, who was in the same room, was injured on the head and face, but not seriously. The three children were not injured.

The roof of the house was almost completely demolished, and the partions were shattered..

Mr.Miller was a farmer, aged 62, and was a steady man.

Police think the explosion was caused by dynamite or gelignite.

The survivors state that no explosives were kept about the place.

The ambulance gathered the remains of Mr.Miller. The injured youth was removed to the hospital. His condition then was very serious.

Bribane, Friday.

- On Thursday the worst dust storms for years were experienced at several towns.

Armidale, Friday.

- Hot winds prevailed yesterday, falling clouds of dust.

Delegate, Friday.

- On Wednesday a hot westerly prevailed, culminating in a gale at night. The atmosphere was impregnated with dust.

Murwillumbah, Friday.

- Heavy thunderstorms are now of frequent occurrence.

Back to - BL Info 6 , The 1902 Victorian Fireball / Dust Storms.