Daily London
An explosion has decimated an Italian restaurant in Clare, sending debris raining over cars in the heart of the South Australian town.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning, impacting the main street area about 50 metres from the town’s Christmas market, which is regularly full with tourists and locals.
The force of the blast resulted in the complete destruction of the rear of Pancho’s Pizza and Pasta, with shockwaves shattering windows in nearby buildings.
“I looked up and I saw the roof of the building lift up and fall back down,” witness Teesha Whellum said.
Tina Couper said her car was struck by debris.
“Rained stuff all over my car, I was lucky to be in my car in fact, otherwise I would’ve been showered in glass.”
“There were bits and pieces of the building out in the main street. It was that big an explosion,” local Kim Henshaw said.
“It actually shook the old town hall. The lights inside were shaking.”
Emergency services attended a small fire which had ignited during the blast.
Authorities have confirmed that the restaurant was closed at the time of the explosion, and there were no reported injuries.
“There was no one in the building and there is no one unaccounted for at this stage,” CFS officer Sonia Post said.
The restaurant’s owner was reportedly in bed just metres away from his restaurant when the explosion occurred.
The damage bill is expected to be $750,000.
Traffic was diverted away from the scene by police throughout the day as investigations commenced.
“I was a bit shaky, bit shaky, because it’s not what you expect on a Saturday morning,” Teesha Whellum said.
“It’s been quite a dramatic start to the day really,” Couper added.
Clare Mayor Allan Aughey acknowledged the challenges ahead for the business.
“The business will be up against it for a while but we’re a group of country folk here that help out, and there’ll be every assistance given voluntarily.”
