The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-23
BLOWN TO DEATH.

EXPLOSION OF AN IRON cYLIHDER FILLED WITH
AND ONE wouNDED-wAs THERE CRIMINAL
cARELEssNEss?
Dense smoke pouring from the windows OF the
New York Calcium Light Company, at No. All
Blocker street. yesterday afternoon at hafpas three
O'Clock, and alarm of ire brought the police
and Aremen 10 the spot. An explosion had taken
place, and the windows OF the establishment we're
shattered An immense crowd OF people soon gathered
and the excitement became intense when the manged
and bleeding form Of brought out ana placed
in an ambulance The company occupies the lower floor
of the building and manufactures and prepares for use
calcium lights. 1t seems that John Borini, who was
employed as foreman Of tho workshop. was putting
brass plate bearing the c0mpanys name upon one or
cylinders which at the time filled with oxygen
gas when the cylinder exploded Borini was thrown
under the workbench horribly mangled, and William g.
Bent, workman who was standing within few feet
OF him. was badly burned about the face and hands
Tho windows were blown out with . terrible crash,
and a dense smoke filled the room and rolled
tho street. The cylinder, which was made OF sheet.
iron hall an inch thick was blown 10 pieces and scat
A number OF large, heavy wooden boxes standing on
the floor were thrown the room and the covers
fully eight pounds and hanging the wall In the store
adjoining the one in which the explosion occurred,
July ulty feet distant, was thrown GOWN on
floor fifteen feet from where IL was hanging.
The interior partitions all started but none were
thrown down
WOUNDED MEN,
Borini was terribly wounded and the surgeons OF the
Now York Hospital, whither he was at once removed
declared that he could live When picked up from
under the bench he was moaning ianty. His face
was torn and the jawbone and nose were fractured
HIS right arm was badly torn ana bruised ana there
was acerated wound IN the right side fully five inches
long and compound fracture OF the right thigh.
Banta was badly burned about the hands and lace but
able move about and consequently aid not 20 TO
the hospital.
Tho cylinder WINS known as a 'twenty- fver''--that
ls II had capacity twenty i've feet OF gas Borini
was soldering ON the brass plate and II IS supposed
that the heat expanded the aud caused The expo
sion The proprietors of the place admitted 10 re-
renee to asen the plates while the cylinders were
III Gu with gas.
When the alarm sounded Captain Kennedy, of
the Ninth precinc hurried TO the spot with number
oil men and under his direction lhc crowd kept IN
excellent order. Tho District Quiet Engineer Of the
Fire department. also early at the scene, but tho
presence OF the department was found to be un-
necessary, when the gas was exhausted the Dire
went out II might, however, have proved very So
rious conhagration and attended with great loss Of
life, for IN the room, within few feet OF tho spot
where the cylinder exploded, there large gas
ceiver, and the contents OF the entire place Of
the most infammuble nature.
About an hour alter his removal to the hospital
Bolen died. HIS family, consisting OF wife and sew
children who reside at No. SIS FLUSHING avenue
notified Of his death ana will take charge OF his
remains Coroner Flanagan will hold an inquest
to-day,