St. Landry democrat., 1885-12-12
NATURAL GAS.

Z a & Is. 4 ~ Il +
Terrible wreck and Probable Loss OF Two
Human Lives BY an Explosion OF the Inc
sfdious Element In Pittsburgh--Three
Houses Wrecked and Several Persons In
iured by Failing Debris.
PITTSBURGH, Pa, December 6.-Yes-
terday morning at four o'clock a natural
gas explosion, with probably fatal results
and destroying much property, occurred
It $40 Grant street, in the cellar OF
house occupied byJ. Meehan. Almost
simultaneously similar explosion, ac-
companied by tremendous reports, oc-
cured in the adjoining cellars Of Louis
Favilla, fruit dealer, and j. j. Flan-
nery's livery stable and undertaking
rooms. There is a six-inch main running
along Grand street, but it had no connec-
tons with the houses that suffered. The
gas probably escaped from the main
and found its way to the cellars. Shortly
after four O'Clock Katie Griffin, domes-
tic employed by Mrs. Meehan, started in
to the cellar for coal, taking with her
lighted lamp. At the cellar door she re-
quested Mrs. Phipps, who was in the
room, to hold the lamp. No sooner had
she opened the door than the gas rushed
Phipps' hands A terrific explosion en-
sued, followed in quick succession by ex-
pIosions in the cellars of Flannery and
Favilla The noise was heard for squares
away, and created the most intense ex-
element. Sheets of flames burst from
the windows and doors of the wrecked
houses. From within came the screams
of the terrified women and children.
cr(,r1a,
Several men worked their way through
the fire into Mrs. Meehan's house, where
terrible sight met their gaze. Prone
upon the floor, with every vestige of
clothes burned from her body, hay Kate
Griffin, bleeding from cash in her side.
Near her was Mrs. Phipps, wrapped in
flames. Both women were picked up
| and carried from the burning build
fin was burned beyond all hopes of
recovery. She was removed to the
Hon ppathic Hospital, where she now
is lying unconscious. Mrs Phipps is Sc
yerely burned, but her injuries are not
considered fatal On the upper floor
of Mrs Meehan's house were eight
| women and children; in Flan-
nery's, Mrs. Elannery and two
babies, and in FaYilla's Mrs.
Fayilla and her nephew, J. E. Case.
The fire spread so rapidly that they were
rescued with difficulty, but all were
finally taken out uninjured except Mrs.
Flayilla and young Case, who were quite
seriously hurt by falling debris. Mean
| while the flames gained such Roadway
that the three-story brick building was
completely destroyed. The other houses
were not entirely burned, but were so
badly wrecked by the conclusion that it
| will probably be necessary to tear them
down The news of the casualty in few
minutes caused the streets to be black
with people struggling to get near
the scene and learn the exact results. The
widest rumors prevailed. 1t was first
stated that seventeen persons had been
killed and injured, but when it was
| definitely ascertained that the victims
seriously hurt numbered only two the ex-
element gradually subsidized and the throng
| dispersed. A short distance from the
scene of the accident faith-cure meeting
was in progress. The explosion shook
the building and created a panic, but all
reached the street without injury. The
loss will reach $4,000.