Restaurant blast 'sounded like a bomb exploding'
An explosion at a Carlton restaurant in which the owner had a remarkable escape has been described by witnesses as sounding like a 'bomb going off'.
Windows of the Mercadante pizza restaurant in Lygon Street were blown out after the explosion in the kitchen at around 10.30am.
Incredibly, the 39-year-old owner, who was inside at the time, escaped the explosion unharmed.
He was setting off cans of insect bombs when the fumes were ignited by a fridge motor in the kitchen.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade Commander Darren McQuade said it is extremely lucky no one was injured.
"It's remarkable no one was injured in an explosion of this kind. He (the owner) was very lucky to get out uninjured.
"The damage has come out on to the street. The community is very lucky this hasn't caused anyone any injuries."
Dario D'Agostino was standing outside the restaurant when the explosion blew out the front windows, catapulting him across the pavement.
"I was standing outside the doors on my phone, and the door just came off and blew me away," he told 7News.
"It was very sudden.
"It's not the best thing to happen first thing in the morning, but I'm okay."
Other witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion followed by lots of commotion in the street.
One witness said it sounded like a bomb going off, while others said the force of the blast shook nearby buildings.
The force of the explosion shattered shopfront windows, showering glass across the footpath, and blew off the roller back doors of the restaurant.
Fire crews estimate the damage will cost around $100,000.
Firefighters say the ignition source wasn't the pilot light in the kitchen as first thought, but the fumes coming into contact with the motor at the base of the refrigerator.
They say it's not commonly known just how flammable these particular insect bombs can be.
Mr McQuade warned people to be careful when using highly flammable aerosol cans.
"It's a warning to follow instructions on the can," he said. "Make sure all ignition sources are turned off prior to using these fumigation aerosol cans," he said.
The blast forced the closure of Lygon Steet between Grattan and Queensberry Street.
