Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-05
the DEADLY Gas AGAIN.
{ Explosions Occur In Pittsburg
With Probably Fatal Results
AND DESTROYING MUCH PROPERTY.
A Servant Girl Enters a Cellar Where
Leak Was, With
Lighted Lamp.

PIrTsBuRo, December This afternoon
about I o'clock . natural gas explosion.
With probable fatal results and destroying
much property, occurred at No. 545 Grant
street. in the cellar of house occupied BY
Mrs. ]. Meehan. Almost simultaneously
similar explosions. accompanied BY trs
mendous reports, occurred in ths adjoining
csllas Of Louis Fasills, Q fruit dealer
and J. ]. Fhnnerys livery stable and
undertaking rooms. There 10 . six-inch
main running along Grant street, but no
connections with houses in that square.
The gas probably escaped from the main
and found its way to the adjoining cellars.
Shortly after o'clock Katie Griffin, . do
mestic in the employ Of Mrs. Meshnn.
started for the cellar for coal, taking with
her
LIGHTED LAMP.
At the cellar door she requested Mrs.
Phipps, who was in the room, to hold the
lamp. No sooner had she opened the
door than the gas rushed out aud igniied
from the lamp in Mrs. Phipps' hand. A
terrific explosion ensued, followed in quick
succession by explosions in the cellars
Of Flannery and Fsnilla. The noise
was heard squares swsy and created the
utmost excitement. Sheets OF flames burst
from the windows doors and sides Of the
houses. From within were heard the
screams Of terrified women and children.
Several men forced their way through the
FIRE into Mrs. Meehan's house where
ATERniBLE SIGHT
met their gaze. Prone upon the door with
every vestige Of clothes burned from her
body was lying Katie Griffin bleeding
from q deep gash in her side. Near her
was Mrs. Phipps wrapped 10 flames. Both
women were grabbed up and carried
quickly from the burning building.
Il was found that Kate Griffin was burned
beyond hopes Of recovery. She was taken
to the Homeopathy Hospital, where she ia
nov lying unconscious. Mrs Phipps was
severely burned, but her injuries are not
thought TO be fatal. In Mrs. Msehans
house there were eight women and child
rem, and in Flannerys Mrs. tlannery and
two babies The FIRE spread so rapidly
that they were rescued With difficulty, but
ell were finally taken out unipjured and
conveyed to places Of safety. Meanwhile
the flames gained such headway that they
could not be controlled, and Flannsrys
three story brick was completely destroyed,
The houses Of Fanilla and Meehsn we're not
entirely burned, but were 90 badly wrecked
by the explosion that it will probably 10
necessary TO tear them down. Tho ness
Of the casualty spread quickly, and in q
few minutes the streets we're black with
people struggling to get near the scene
and learn the exact results. The wildcat
rumors prevailed. 1t was FIRST stated
that seventeen had been killed and
injured, but when il was definitely ascsr-
tanned that the victims numbered only two
the excitement gradually subsided and the
throng melted away. A short distance
from the scene Of the accident . faith cure
meeting was in progress The explosions
shook the building and created panic.
bat oil reached the street without injury
The loss will probably reach $4,000.