Office evacuated after blast in Melbourne

[pies4ever]

Office workers trapped after blast
December 06, 2007

SEVERAL workers are reportedly trapped after an explosion rocked an office block in Melbourne's CBD this afternoon.

15 office workers have been treated at the scene, with four taken to hospital.

It is believed an electrical substation exploded in the basement of a 20-storey building at 570 Bourke St just after 1pm (AEDT), causing a fire.

According to unconfirmed reports, many workers may be trapped in lifts after electricity was cut to neighbouring buildings

Fire brigade spokesman David Mann said on ABC radio that 50 firefighters were called in to help rescue some of the office workers.

Several workers have been treated for smoke inhalation and several fire and ambulance units are at the scene.

People in the building reported they were unable to get out, while firefighters are battling to get to the fire.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22880198-5005961,00.html

[pies4ever]

7000 evacuated after office blast
December 06, 2007

A LARGE number of workers are trapped in lifts and 7000 others have been evacuated after an explosion rocked an office block in Melbourne's CBD this afternoon.

About 7000 workers have been evacuated from two buidlings at 570 Bourke St and 600 Bourke St following the explosion at an electricity substation behind the 35-storey office tower at 570 Bourke St.

Five workers are believed to be trapped in lifts at 570 Bourke with a yet-to-be determined number trapped at 600 Bourke.

The fire brigade is in contact with the trapped workers via mobile phone and they are reported to be OK.

28 people have been treated at the scene, with six taken to hospital.

An electricity substation exploded at 12.30pm (AEDT) in a basement car park behind the building.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22880585-5005961,00.html