On This Day, 28 August 1916

Evening Despatch

Monday 28 August 1916

RAIN CAUSES SINGULAR ACCIDENT IN BIRMINGHAM.

A curious incident happened in Belmont-row, Birmingham, yesterday.
Early in the morning the roadway near the junction of A B-row was seen to be rising, and by noon the wood paving had bulged upwards about 1½ft. or 2ft. The bulge extended practically right across the carriage-way, and varied from 3ft to 5ft. wide while there was a large crack through the centre.
It was thought that the crowning was due to a burst water or gas pipe, but there were no signs of escaping gas or water, and when the Corporation workmen arrived they found that the bulging was due to the warm weather acting on the sodden wood, causing it to expand. The concrete foundation was found to be intact.