The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-07
DISTRESSING C4SUALTY--G1S EXPLOSION IN
SENATOR ClKINDLERS NEW HOUSE
IRON The Detroit Free Press OF August g.

distressing affair occurred last evening at Senator
Chandcrs residence on Fort street, which resulted
in very serious consequences Mr. Chandler, his little
daughter, and two having been very badly burned
by of gas explosion We regret to say that Mr.
Chandler and of his seriously injured. The
occurrence happened as follows:
At about seven o. clock in the evening strong smell
Of gas observed in the house. This found to
proceed from the store-room, and Mr. Chandler, in
pany with serving man and his little daughter went
into the room. gas pipe in this had been care
lessly left open by workman, and full stream was
issuing from it, The windows were open, and the gas
had consequently collected in the top of the above
the windows 1t had there formed explosive COM
pound by mingng with the atmosphere in proper guam
titles.
Mr.. Chandler entered the room, followed by his little
girl and the hired man. who stood the door Mr..
g. placed pair of steps in the middle of the room, di
rectly under the pipe which in the ceiling, and as
cended them. The man at the time elevated the
light which he held in his hand. AS it came in
contact with the gas explosion cnsued, with loud
report The blown outside and the door closed
by the force of the conclusion Mr. Chandler knock
ed down, and upon recovering himself began TO search
for his little girl The light of the burning gas which
issued from the pipe enabled him find her The flames
were still Pickering about the ceiling, and in the ROOM
the gas discharged but no further explosion
sued.
Mr. Chandler is burned the entire surface Of his
face neck and hands His hair and whskers were burn
cd close the skin The result be otherwise than
serioX Disagreement, if consequences ens,e
His little daughter also burned all her face should
and hands, but not badly her father on account
of having been lower down. and not much exposed to
the fire.
Medical attendance at secured and several
physicians at the house The injuries of all
three attended by Ds Clark, Gunn and Davenport
and comparative quiet had been restored in the house
when all startled by second explosion similar to
the FIRST followed by renewed cries of distress The
of this casualty, which resulted in injury was
| MS follows
gas-ftter had been sent for from the gas works i'm
medatey after the first explosion He shut off the gas
at the metre and went into the where the cxpo-
sion had taken place Ascending the steps In the same
manner Mr.. Chandler had done, he in the most
thoughtcss pulled out plug which had in the
time been driven into the end Of the pipe The
mcnt no did this another explosion, exactly similar to
the FIRST ensued. He thrown down, and was
brought out terribly burned the face, neck, and
hands. His injuries arc fully equal to those of Mr..
Chandler, If not worse -Four persons thus suffering
most intensely from this most lamentable affair The
serving is burned the least of any, believe The
face neck shoulders and hands of the little girl are
bcred but her injuries not considered serious in
medical point of view. The occurrence is sad one and
will profound sensation in community not
only from the social position of the sufferers but from
the number involved We trust permanent injury
may ensuc.