The Sun.
London, England, 1822-10-30 00:00:00

ACCIDENT FROM GAS.

The Opera-house end of Pall-mall was yester-
day at noon thrown into the greatest consternation
by a sudden and tremendous subterraneous ex-
plosion, that was more like the discharge of
heavy ordnance under ground than any thing else.
All the inhabitants in the fine new shops consti-
tuting the Opera-house Arcade, and in the houses
on the opposite side of the way as far as Cockspur-
street, were instantaneously out of their residences,
thinking that their own habitations were tumbling
about their ears. Pall-mall and the Opera-house
Arcade were immediately filled with people ;
and their alarm and amazement were not di-

minished on beholding an immense volume of
flame, accompanied with a strong smell issu-
ing forth from the dilapidated front of the
house belonging to the " Westminster \Vine
Company," at the corner of the Opera-House
Arcade. The shop fronts were completely blown
from their stations, and dashed on the pavement
in thousands of pieces ; and within the premises
there appeared nothing but ruins. The indivi-
duals hurried forth from the 'premises, presenting
an extraordinary appearance. One of them ele-
vated his hands, from which blood was copiously
running ; the second had still a wilder and more
extraordinary look, the hair on his head being
singed nearly to its roots ; and the third person,
apparently one of the masters of the Wes twin-
ster Wine Company, had ru❑ from the premises
on hearing the terrific explosion, and on
beholding the shop windows and other fix-
tures blown from their stations with the most
frightful crash. The immense explosion, and
this sudden ruin, were the result of an accidental
ignition of gas that had escaped from the gas
pipes, owing to some defect in them, or to the
gas not having been properly " turned off," and
had wholly occupied the cellars under the Wine
Company's shop or counting-house, at the corner
of the Arcade. The clerk and cellarman were
proceeding to the cellar to fulfil some orders,
and the approach of a lighted candle caused the
ignition of the vast body of gas that had escaped
from the pipes and filled the cellars. The whole,
of course immediately exploded, and for a time left
the two individuals almost senseless. The ignited
gas,in the progress of its expansion, beat down win-
dows, doors, partitions, several hampers of bottles,
all which were spread on the cellar-floors nearly
shattered to pieces ; and it thence made its way
up stairs to the floor which is even with the street,
and dashed out the whole of the shop fronts as
already described, carrying with it ruin and ter-
ror. It could be compared to nothing but the
fury and devastation of an earthquake. The
clerk, whose hair was so severely burnt, on escap-
ing from the house, ran off with horrific haste to
such a distance, that for some time it was not known
what had become of him ; indeed, till some
person appeared to bear testimony to his flight,
his master and companion feared that he had
fallen a victim to the fury of the dreadfully
severe and alarming gas explosion in the cellar.
We could not learn whether he had sustained
any injury more serious than what has previously
been mentioned. The explosion did not fire the
premises. Firemen were promptly on the spot ;
individuals connected with the Gas Works in
Peter-street, Westminster, were also immediately
sent for, and instantly obeyed the summons; and
the Arcade iron gates were closed, so that the
premises were protected from those inroads
being made upon them, which, as the crowd was
so great and mixed, might have otherwise sub-
jected the proprietors to further severe losses.—
(Morning Herald.)