Boone Mall Explosion
Restaurant Explosion
On July 20, 1981, an explosion occurred at Boone Mall in North Carolina, originating from the Italian Village Restaurant. The blast caused $400,000 worth of damage to several stores, including the restaurant, Kinney’s Shoes, and the Lettuce Leaf salad bar. Fortunately, no one was injured in the explosion.
Arrests and Trial
The owner of the restaurant, Mike Hakaj, was arrested along with two others linked to the incident. Hakaj was later found innocent, while the other suspects were not tried due to lack of evidence. The explosion led to heightened awareness and improved safety measures in commercial kitchens.
