Just heard about it now.. apparently a bomb threat was dialed in from overseas from an 'undesirable location'

the whole joint was evacuated in the middle of the fight.. the coppers had to search the whole place and the show was called off.. what a farken mess

Increase Textsize Decrease Textsize Email to a friend Have your say

Townsville boxing bomb hoax

JOSH ALSTON

October 20th, 2008

HUNDREDS of people were evacuated from a Townsville nightclub because of a bomb scare. The hoax forced Bombay Rock nightclub to abandon an organised fight night on Saturday.

A bout between two amateur boxers was stopped when

an unidentified person called the club about 8pm saying a bomb would detonate at 9pm.

Police rapidly sealed off large sections of Sturt and Flinders streets.

Patrons poured into the nearby Sovereign and Midtown venues or partied in the street.

Bombay Rock remained closed until 11.20pm as police swept the building and nearby areas. No devices were found.

Police commended the behaviour of revellers who turned a bad situation into an impromptu street party as they waited to return.

However, all the major bouts were cancelled.

Bombay Rock management and promoter Gonzo Hooper will meet in the coming days as more information comes to light, with police expected to run traces on the origin of the call.

It is still unsure whether patrons will be reimbursed the $35 entry fee.

Manager Melissa Fletchett praised her staff's efforts in clearing the building, which emptied in minutes before police ushered patrons to a safe distance.

"Obviously we did have a threat made and our first priority was for the safety of our patrons, staff and any other persons in the premises," she said.

"We acted immediately to ensure everyone's safety.

"We assisted police with their inquiry fully and will continue to do that until the person responsible is apprehended and punished to the full extent of law."

The scare will be costly for the club and the promoter with numerous officials and fighters being paid for airfares and accommodation.

But Mr Hooper remained upbeat, saying the result could have been much worse.

"Nobody got hurt, we lost money not a limb so it doesn't really matter," he said.

"We're not all that upset to be honest because a bomb could have gone off and killed everyone ... we're not far removed from that sort of barbarity."

Mr Hooper holds the exclusive rights to host fight nights at Bombay Rock and said he would be working with the venue to reschedule the event.

"They have been very supportive and I think we will be going there again," he said.

"I think it was someone with a little bit of a score to settle, of which we have no idea. The police are investigating, there's been some stuff done to trace the call and it was a foreign accent."

Townsville Police regional duty officer acting Inspector Glenn Morris said anyone with information should contact Townsville Police or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.