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Feb 3, 2010

15 hurt in Darwin trolley blast



Fifteen people were wounded on Wednesday when a disgruntled customer ignited a shopping trolley filled with petrol cans and fireworks at a branch of an Australian insurance company, police said. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

SYDNEY - FIFTEEN people were wounded on Wednesday when a disgruntled customer ignited a shopping trolley filled with petrol cans and fireworks at a branch of an Australian insurance company, police said. Witnesses said the man wheeled the makeshift bomb into the insurance office in the northern city of Darwin and set it ablaze, leaving passers-by with cuts, burns and smoke inhalation injuries. Two people were in serious condition.

'Once we cleared the area of smoke we found a shopping trolley with three jerry cans and a strong smell of fuel, and also firecrackers spread throughout the area,' a fire and rescue service spokesman told AFP. 'The firecrackers were part of what could loosely be called an explosive device.' A man surrendered himself at the nearby Darwin Police Station shortly after the attack and was taken into custody, said Commander Rob Kendrick.

'I understand that there may have been a shopping trolley wheeled in by the person of interest, but that will be subject to investigation,' Mr Kendrick told reporters. The blast sent shoppers fleeing from a nearby supermarket and prompted the evacuation of the mall in Darwin's main commercial street, as crowds of onlookers gathered. Police ruled out an extremist attack, saying the culprit appeared to be an unhappy customer of the insurance company. - AFP.

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Darwin firebomb

Darwin firebomb attack to settle a grudge
By Paul Toohey and Nick Calacouras in Darwin From: The Daily Telegraph February 04

A MAN angry with his workers' compensation payout loaded a shopping trolley with jerry cans of fuel and set it alight inside a Darwin insurance office, injuring 15 people yesterday.
There were distressing scenes in the city's centre as paramedics treated the burned and wounded after what many initially feared was a terrorist attack.
The injured were taken to the Royal Darwin Hospital after the man entered the Territory Insurance Office claim branch about 11am - pushing a shopping trolley loaded with fuel and fireworks.
It is understood the man - a 44-year-old who had made previous threats toward the TIO - lit the fireworks outside, opened the lids of the metal jerry cans and pushed the trolley inside.
It hit a reception desk, fell over and fuel began to vaporise. One witness said the fireworks were as big as cigars.
Firemen said people would have died if the sprinkler system had not activated.
The bomber reportedly goes by the name "Bird" and is a former security guard who worked at a Darwin pub until being injured on the job in October 2007.
He allegedly blamed the insurer for loss of earnings that forced him to leave his three-bedroom home in Humpty Doo and move into a shipping container.

Police expect to lay charges today.

The head of the Royal Darwin trauma centre Dr Len Notaras said none of the injuries caused by the blast was life-threatening but one person had serious upper limb burns and another suffered head injuries.

"All are in a state of shock and disbelief that this could occur in Darwin," Dr Notaras said.
Police commander Colleen Gwynne quickly ruled out a terrorist attack, saying it was the "callous" act of a man who was unsatisfied with TIO.
While many people nearby heard loud explosions, Commander Gwynne said this was most likely the sound of fireworks.
The man ran from the scene, leaving those inside to take the brunt of the flames and smoke. He immediately handed himself into police.
Graeme Coombs was in a car waiting for his son-in-law Bruno Long, the brother of former AFL star Michael Long, who had gone into the TIO branch.
"Bruno said this guy was standing at the counter with a shopping trolley with fuel in it," Mr Coombs said. "Apparently he stood there and set fire to it."

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A victim is treated outside the Woolworths building following an explosion at the Territory Insurance Office in Darwin. Picture: Justin Sanson


A victim gets attended to. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

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Police try to control crowds following the explosion. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford


A robot is brought in to search for other explosives after an explosion at the Territory Insurance Office in Darwin.

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Emergency crews outside the Woolworths building after an explosion at the Territory Insurance Office in Darwin. Picture: Justin Sanson