On Friday 11 July 1970 at 1pm a series of explosions rocked George, Queen and Adelaide Streets; the explosions could be heard a couple of kms away.

Footpaths in the George Street were badly damaged and large slabs of concrete had been strewn onto the roadway with shop windows being shattered. There was minor damage in the other two streets at the intersection with George Street.

Manhole covers were blown into the air and a 18 year old girl was killed with another 37 people being injured. I accompanied my boss Insp Les Bardwell to the scene.

Earlier in the day a strong smell of gas was evident in the basement of the Criterion Hotel which fronts George Street. A BCC gas inspector advised staff to vacate the area whilst the leak was contained into the cellar.

As the location of the leak was being sort the gas inspector asked police to turn off the traffic control lights at the corner of George and Adelaide Streets as the gas pipeline and electricity cables ran beside each other.

Sometime later the gas inspector advised the police to turn on the traffic lights as they considered the leak had been contained.

As the police officer turned on the traffic lights a small explosion occurred within the light control box followed by three massive explosions.

A subsequent examination of the gas pipes found a fractured gas main pipe at the corner of George and Adelaide Streets had caused the gas to permeate along the underground system.

The explosion occurred as a result of a spark from the traffic light control switch igniting the gas.

My boss later gave evidence about the reconstruction of events that led to the explosion in the Coroner's Court.

Needless to say, the people of Brisbane were shocked by the magnitude of the explosion and the death and injuries it caused.

Photos - Damage to George Street

Lights at corner of George and Adelaide Streets