The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-27
EXPLOSION AT the OLYMPIC THEATRE.
A Man Slightly Injured.


About quarter past six O'Clock last evening an
alarm OF fire was raised by the employees OF the
Olympic theatre, on Broadway, between Houston
and Blocker streets, owing to an explosion Of gas
in the vault under the sidewalk of the building.
The iremen, with commendable pr0mptness, has
tened to the spot, but on their arrival orders were
given not to unbend the hose the fire was OF but
little consequence and damage had resulted from
the explosion
the popularity OF the drama now ON the stage OF
this establishment, drawing together at each repre-
sentation thousands of our citizens, made anything
that happened within the theatre OF interest to that
extent that investigation OF the cause Of
the explosion was made which revealed the follow
ing facts:-During yesterday Afternoon, from the
hour Of two O'Clock, q strong smell OF gas was de-
ected throughout the lower part OF the building
ana although search was repeatedly made 70 ascer-
tain the from which il issued 1t not discov
cred until ten minutes past SIX O'Clock. Al this time
Mar,in O'Brcn, the gasnan OF the theatre. IN com
paly with one OF his aids, bearing lighted taper
such IS used TO light the gas jets IN the building
proceeded to the vault. While continuing Then
search, and "a they entered the archway leading
from the basement To II, an explosion occurred
knocking INN down and burning his lace
slightly, smuggling oil portion OF his eyebrows and
hair. AT this moment three or four streams of
fire were seen Issuing iron che openings IN the 'front.'
stone wall forming portion OF the vault when the
alarm OF fire was given with the result alluded TO-
AZ this instant the employees OF the establishment OF
Messrs Barker Co., dealers In human hair, No. $40
Hg0auNay, also ucIGCIel "a strange UuOr peTVanInT
tier apartments, and upon Investigation they also
discovered streams OF Ire issuing in similar man
iroIl the wall OF THEN vault, which adOins the
other. The frightened cries Of the young ladies' of
the place were joined with those OF the men In tire
theatre producing ~ the time quite little excite
ment.
When the fire apparatus left The scene a
member OF the insurance patrol and fire
man connected with one Of the companies were
respectively left In charge Oh the vaults, with special
mjunctOns to watch the burning gas carefully. As
y was ascerained tnat inc escaping gas came IRON
sent 10 Police tleaaqnarters OF the circumstance, to
gcrhcr with the fact OF the crowded character OF the
theatre-the doors being opened AZ the usual
tme-when Inspector W3iling, who
the manager, who appraised him Of the state
OF AFFAIRS, aud assured him that there was no
damage, rctuIncu but subsequently he sent
Information 10 Fare Marshal Bracket, VINO immcdi-
atey repaired 10 the spot, aud, la company with
Captain Garland, OF the Fourteenth precinct, insti-
the moment; ana they also appraised the gas com.
pany OF the break.
AZ haif-past nine O'Clock the company sent gang
men to the theatre, who at once began to tear up
their chief engineer, with a view OF stopping the
leak. Prccautlon was also taken III the matter OF
yentafing the vault to prevent other explosions.
The officials above mentioned took the additional
precautiOn OF consultation with the officials In the
theatre to prevent panic among the audience, and
ana several men to the building who received such
instructions that should an alarm be QJven BY any
excited or indiscreet individual. they should act
promptly In aiding the manager IN the suppression
counted In the vault OF Messrs. Barker A Co., and
hall that number IN the vault OF the theatre, although
tile latter were larger and burned more intensely
than the former