EXPLOSION KILLS ONE AND WOUNDS THREE

( Editorial: --> 9937 ) PULA, Feb 6 (Hina) - A powerful explosion boomed across the town of Pula in Istria (northern Adriatic) at 9.00 hours Friday morning. The explosion, originating from an apartment near the centre of Pula, killed one man and lightly injured three other persons. The adjacent apartments were significantly damaged in the blast and several other apartments in the block of flats suffered some damage. The detonation managed to shatter the windows of neighbouring blocks of flats, as well as all the windows of the near-by laboratory glass factory. Cars on the parking lot in front of the building were also damaged. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is under way. There is no official information as yet, but it is thought that the explosion was caused by gas. The possibility of suicide has not been ruled out. The Mayor of Pula, Giancarlo Zupic, who visited the scene, said he would begin finding accommodation for tenants of uninhabitable flats today. (hina) lm mm 061514 MET feb 98