At 3.20am on the morning of Saturday 22nd April 1933, sleeping residents of Charters Towers were ripped from their sleep by a loud explosion in Gill Street. Those who lived nearby ran to the street, where a rapidly growing fire lit a scene of destruction: the upper floor and front wall of the two-storey Courthouse Chambers building was gone and bricks and glass scattered right across Gill Street.

The Courthouse Chambers had been built in the mid 1880s and had housed a variety of businesses over the years. At the time of the incident it was owned by Norman Roberts, son of former owner CE Roberts, and the tenants were John Vickery, boot seller, Dr Tom Edmeades' surgical practice, George Francis, solicitor, Charles Thompson, hairdresser, and Constantine Alexiou, cafe owner.

The businesses on either side were Peace's butchers and the Victory Cafe, owned by John Griffiths.

The fire quickly consumed what was left of the building, but quick response from the Fire Department meant that the adjoining buildings were saved, only suffering minor damage from the explosion and damage to stock from the fire and water. The waitresses living at the back of the Victory Cafe were safe, although very frightened!

According to a colonial inquiry held in May 1933, most of the tenants only found out about the fire and explosion the following morning, while Dr Edmeades, who had been out of town found out the following Monday. 

However, the witness most closely questioned was John Vickery, owner of a failing boot store in the building, regarding the amount of stock he actually had, versus the amount on his insurance claim. He had been trying to sell his business for six to eight months and had allegedly made some comments to other witnesses earlier in the year that he wished he could have a fire to get rid of his stock.

In the end, no evidence of deliberate arson was found, and he denied all charges. While those with explosives experience testified that it had to have been deliberately set, with a lack of evidence the inquiry was closed.

The remains of the building were torn down and replaced by a single storey building, 86-90 Gill Street. 

Charters Towers may be a sleepy country town, but it certainly has had its fair share of explosive drama!