New-York tribune., 1870-08-26
FIRE FROM GASOLINE.
EXPLOSION III MAIDEN-LANE-BOUR MEN BADLY
BURNED.

EXPLOSION III MAIDEN-LANE-BoUR MEN BADLY
BURNED.
Soon after p. M, yesterday, an explosion
occurred in the cellar OF premises Nos. lib, i2o and Ia
Maidenane. In the cellar were 300 barrels Of gsso-
line and large quantity of OIL One OF the occupants Of
the first floor, Capt Simon Pepper, and Mr James Nc
Shay in the cellar at the tme and is thought that
of them had light, which ignited vap0rs arising
from the gasoline. Both very seriously burned
about the head face and yet they succeeded in
gaining the first foor and were assisted out Of
the place by occupants who had not already made their
way into the street. The first floor was somewhat DIS
lodged from its fastenings but serious damage was
done. When the shock took place. MT j. W. Wheeiock.
who owned the gasoline and occupied the greater part
of the first and cellar, conversiag with Hiram
J. Collins and Capt Curran, who occupied desks that
floor. All wsre knocked down, but Mr. Collins and Capt.
Curran reganed their feet and by second explosion
were blown out Of the doorway into Ghe street. Tho
front doorsOf the cellar and first floor were blown out
ward and shattered.
When Mr. Collins and his companions regained their
presence Of mind they hurried back into the building
and brought out McShay and Pepper. It was afterward
ascertained that Mr. wheelock badly burned about
the hands beside being shocked by the explo
sion Gsorge Chaplin. clerk, also burned about tho
face hands. 1t is stated that Mr. wheelock returned
after having gained the street. procure his
and pagers. He reachsd his Office, and secured OF
his more important papers and books, and closed tho
safe. In returning TO the street he very severely
burned. Had he not returned 70 the store, he would
have escaped with slight injury.
Tie three upper floors used bag manufactry
and number OF boys and girls employed there
On hearing the sonnd OF the explosion they rush
ing down stairs and gained the street without accident
The occupants os the second or also out in safety
leaving their desks open and papers exposed Most OF
the injured removed 10 the Beck
Poicestation. Mr.. Wheelock aerward renoye ed to
his residence, No l2l Vanderbiltave Brooklyn Chaplin
taken to his home In Jersey City McShay also
taken home Capt Pepper vas the most badly burned
He taken tn the Park Hospital. He resides at No.
1853 Meadow>st., Hoboken, where he has a wife and
family.
The flames spread rapidly among the inharanable ma
teria in te cellar, and burned with hereeness that
defiance the efforts OF the fremen 10 extngsh them.
At short intervals barrels or gasoline would explode
with loud reports ana iguting, threw upward and
ward large volumes OF aame driving back the remen
and the great throng gated In front OF the build
ing The police afterward drove back the crowd.
ablng the hremen to Tk to more advantage The
posions continued as tn rivals for hours Water seemed
to have no effect OF ne flame and the only thing that
could he done to Keep the fre much possible
confined 10 the cellar cD died out for lack Of material
| To feed upon.
The losa OF Mr. wheelcck amounts TO about 5000 In
| sured. Samuel Myers, Hiram j. Collins, Capt Peyser.
and the others who had desk there lose t0o
to 800 each. On the second floor W, o. y. \.
Roome, commission merchants. Loss $500 insured. On
| the same floor WIN. Ii. Darling boat aud yacht
builder and Messrs. Baker, Carey Phillips, Nanufse
turers OF varnshes and ialans- Their loss viii amount
three upper floors are occupied by Mossrs. shaw 4
Methered, bag manufacturers Loss by water slight
Tho building belongs TO the Adams estate. and Is dam
The stock OF tobacco In No. Is2 Pearlst belonging 70
simon Solomon and IL. Schoverng Il Co. WA damaged
| slightly by wafer; fully Insured Nearly 100 barrels ~
| petroleum oil, belonging To MessrS Mcdonald DaSm
at No li MaidenaDo, rolled out the walk, -
was believed at time that that building would %
destroyed was saved by the exertions OF th3 rems
originated II difficult 10 determine Tho mStter
l. viii bo investigated by tha Fire AAxAAaA