The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-05-05
Explosion and Fire at Pittsburg! Aw
full Loss of Life.

About halt-past ten O'Clock yesterday, an
explosion OF boiler occurred in the small
Cotton Factory of Me~srs. Fife, near the
corner OF Ohio street, and the East Com
mons, Allegheny city. The boiler being
blown Out OF IFS place, threw down the walls
OF The factory, as also those of the wooden
cardlng establishment adjoining, belonging
to MAJOR Jonathan Rush, and the building
Immediately took fire. Between twenty
and twenty-five persons, it is estimated,
were engaged IN the two establishments
when The explosion occurred. Six of the
number Cat the moment of writing, 2. NJ
are ascertaned TO have been killed. The
mere cInders of three human beings have
been taken from tie ruins, in a condition
too horrible for description, and fourth
person, VIM. Bell, is burnt to ashes in the
basement of the cotton factory.
lie Is said 10 have been cut in two by the
exploded boiler; his own brother seeing his
remains lying among the ruins, attempted
TO draw them out, but failing, the fire de-
voured them. James Fife, his daughter
and sister, and Miss -Staley, were among
the lost. Mr.. William Tell WAS nephew
OF the Messrs. Fife. In addition TO the
Killed, six or eight persons were injured,
more or less severely, by burning, scading,
&C. All, 1t IS hoped, will recover. They
we're Immediately conveyed 10 the neigh
boring dwelling, where their wounds were
promptly dressed.
Persons who arrived first at the scene,
represent The cries proceeding from the dy-
ny tortured wretcheS as most horrible
Several II appeared had been wedged in
among the fallen timbers, and were calling
tor aid and rescue from the approaching
ire, but 1t was impossible to reach them.-
Some OF the wounded, however were drag
ged OUT from positions of imminent peril
One Of the Misses Fife (who escaped)
states that she was in the upper story OF the
factory when the explosion occurred, and
was blown out to the ground; she received
no 'nJury. Andrew Fife, the eldest Of the
brothers, being entanged among the ruins,
his brother David, while aiding in his res
cue. was struck by the falling of WALL
Both were badly injured. The persons en-
gagged in MIR. Rush's carding establishment,
all. we understand, escaped
FARTHER PARTIcULARs.-We have just
returned from second visit to the scene OF
wreck and ruin. The remains of WIN.
Bell have been dug out from the cellar-a
headless trunk, backened, burned to Acrisp,
one arm and leg burned off. Four dead
bodies are all yet discovered. TIVE or three
are reported 10 he still buried The dead
are, MIR. James Fife and daughter. Miss
Stately, and WIN. Bell. The wounded are
doing we'll. The sister thrown out of the
building at the time of the explosion, is
badly, but it is hoped not fatally injured.
The boiler was thrown considerable
distance from its restng-place; both heads
were blown entirely Out--One driven east
the other west-300 feet or more apart
The boiler was large cylinder of thirty
SIX inches diameter, and is said to have been
before exploded, OF steamboat. 1t is the
opinion of engineers, however, that the &C.
cident was the result not of defect in the
metal, but of deficiency Of water-gencra-
ting combustibre explosive gas. The en-
sueer eseaped.-PfHsburgh Dispatch.