Huge ‘SONIC BOOM’ shakes Canberra after an explosion destroys buildings and leaves a man in hospital
- Massive explosion in Canberra destroyed a building and rocked the city
- Residents reported ‘sonic boom’ reverberating around city on Monday night
- Blast damaged nearby businesses and smashed glass hundreds of metres away
A massive explosion in Canberra destroyed a building and sent a ‘sonic boom’ reverberating around the city.
Emergency services were called to a blast on Rae Street in Belconnen at 7:30pm on Monday night after a blaze destroyed a series of businesses.
CCTV footage from the area shows the explosion occurring inside the Turkish Kebab and Pizza shop, sending debris flying and nearly hitting people standing in the carpark.
‘I actually thought it was an earthquake, as the whole house shook, including windows, mirrors and pictures on walls,’ local resident Kat Lindbeck told the Canberra Times.
A massive explosion in Canberra destroyed a building and sent a ‘sonic boom’ reverberating around the city
CCTV footage from the area shows the explosion occurring inside the Turkish Kebab and Pizza shop, sending debris flying and nearly hitting people standing in the carpark
Destroyed metal, shattered glass and shrapnel can be seen covering the concrete outside the complex.
Businesses hundreds of metres away from the explosion saw glass shatter from the force of the blast.
‘For me it was bigger than [an] earthquake,’ Vishal Sood told the publication.
‘I was playing games at my home with my son just opposite [the] shop. The roof of that building was in the air … for a while.’
CCTV footage shows people standing and talking in the carpark just metres from the blast before scurrying to safety as the roof lifts off the kebab shop.
A man has been taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, which police say is a miracle only one person was hurt
Several roads around the area remain closed as crews look to clean up the destruction and ensure the building is safe
A man has been taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries, which police say is a miracle only one person was hurt.
‘It’s in a very well used area, there are a lot of local takeaway places, service stations, and things like that,’ ACT Police Detective Acting Inspector Emily McCallum told reporters.
‘So, yes, (we’re) obviously very, very grateful that there was only one person injured.’
Several roads around the area remain closed as crews look to clean up the destruction and ensure the building is safe.
Police are continuing investigations into the explosion.
Remnants of the kebab shop show only the buildings frame after the explosion sent its contents flying through the Canberra complex
Destroyed metal, shattered glass and shrapnel can be seen covering the concrete outside the complex