The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-12-27
THE CEDIR STREET EXPLOSION.
what mas been Asccrtnincd In Relation TO
the Cause Of the Disaster.

The sidewalks OF Cedar street, near
Broadway,were crowded yesterday morning, and
everybody was gazing at the shattered windows
Of the American Exchange National Bank.
Hardly pane was left on the south side 81 the
building, and in many instances the window
frames, and even parts Of the adjacent masonry,
were blown out bodily On the opposite side ~
the street, the side OF tho Equitable Life Assu-
rance Company's ednce looked IA though I'M
numbered bulletin boards had been placed in
position in anticipation Of copious returns from
election districts. Nearly all the immense plate
glass windows were shattered, and the vacant
spaces were filed with white canvass on frames.
Hut except as to the destruction Of glass. In
itself heavy loss, the Equitable was compara-
lively uniniured.
In the Exchange National Bank workmcn
were clearing away the debris and repairing the
damage done by the explosion. Business was
not suspended, aud the clerks and officers were
in their places at the usual hour. NOBODY had
any satisfactory theory to advance In explana-
ton Of the catastrophe beyond not unnatural
suuposition that the gas had been escaping
down stairs for some llOura.
james MURRAY. the ianitOr. lives ln the upper
story OF the bank building with his family. lie
went out shortly atter Ociock on Monday
evening. leaving the Waterman. Eiwaid w.
Condon' To take care OF the premises. Tie had
not walked very far down Cedar street before
he heard the explosion. and turning. saw what
looked like volume OF steam pouring from all
the windows simultaneously. He was knocked
down 10y the concuasion. S1ppusing that tho
building was utterly DESTROYED. and that ms
wife and children hal perishci, no rushed bacN.
crowd had already gathered at the doors, tut
everybody WAS quickly driven hack Nv the no
lice, vino entered the bank. Tho light. were
out. and the floor was Uttered with masonry,
broken glass, aud sulinteted thinner. sutfo-
eating udOr OF gas indicated the immediate
cause Of the explosion. and several police IN
GERS FASTENED down the iron staircase To- the
waehrupni, where the meter wa situated, aud
stumbled over the unconscious watchmnn.
Nelfiy all the arched ceiling was broken down,
and tne room was half flied with bricks, beams,
ard plaster. All the windows were smas hed,
and the walls were rent.
A slight lire that was kiudng In the wood
work WIS qui KITS extinGuisned. and the watch
man was carried w stairs. lie was iuund To- uc
very seriously It not fatally. injured. ard long
tue eidused before he recovered consciousness.
lie said that about minute after tho jluifur
htd left MN alone the lights IN the bank sud
denly went out. lie took "A candle. and went
down TO the washroom to examine the meter,
fdncVing thai the cause Of the trouble was there.
As he dcscendei the staircase he smelt an al
most OverpOwefiR odor OF gas, but he opened the
door without hesitation aud entered the wash
room. Instantly there was terrific explosion.
and he WIS hurled out Of the door. lie knew
nothing more until lie recovered Consciousness
up slairs.
II Is estimated that the total damage to the
American Exchange National Bank cannot ue
less ,nan SlOOJJ.