Suspected ATM blast collapses building

[caption id="attachment_37538" align="alignright" width="405"] COMPLETELY LEVELLED: An explosion to possibly blow open an ATM in Midrand resulted in the collapse of a building. Picture: ALON SKUY[/caption]

A PRE-DAWN explosion destroyed an entire three-storey shopping complex outside Johannesburg, injuring two people.

The explosion – believed to be an ATM bombing gone wrong – occurred near the Gautrain Midrand station opposite the Midrand Market and Taxi Rank yesterday.

The Ipitombi centre, which is home to a strip club, tavern, butchery, clinic, hair salon, gold exchange dealership, tailor and several grocery shops, was completely levelled in the 3am blast.

The explosion was so powerful houses up to 2km away were shaken, car alarms set off and pieces of steel girders hurled hundreds of metres away.

The blast, which occurred in the front part of the building near a Standard Bank ATM, ripped a giant hole through the centre, punching out the back and side walls, collapsing floors and leaving the roof ripped open.

Police spokesman Captain Disebo Selepe said two people were injured, one seriously. - Graeme Hosken