New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-27
MANY BURIED IN THE RUINS
FATAL. WORK OF A GAS EXPLOSION.
FIVE woRKMEN KILLED AND MANY sEvERELY me-
JURED-THE GAS WORKS COMPLETE WRECK.
pY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]


Montreal, May 26.-Between and o'cloch
this morning of the most serious disasters that
has visited the city for years took place at the
Montreal Gas Company's works in the eastern sec~
ton OF the city. 1t was the explosion Of the new
gasometer which was only built last fall II re-
suited in the death Of five workmen and five
were seriously, il not fatally, injured. The force
Of the shock was felt for miles around. A Cana4
dian Pacific train had only just passed tho
place when the explosion happened and the engi<
says that the shock was so great that hd
feared that the engine would be thrown from thc
track Doors were thrown open and buildings
were shaken in large manufacturing establish<
ments In the vicinity.
Two new gas tanks 100 feet In circumference
were finished and the worlmen Of the Dominion
Bridge Company were engaged In finishing up
third. At about 30 q. people in the neigh<
borhood of the tanks were startled by hearing q
loud rumbling sound and the roofs Of the tanks
were suddenly seen to move upward. Then they
fell with crash, bringing the brick walls with
them. This was followed by thick dust-like
cloud and flames then burst forth. The fire bri-
gade at once arrived and the Games were soon
extinguished
While the hremen were working cries Oh
Help!' were heard from below. Nothing could
be done till the thick dust had subsidized, when q
horrible spectacle met the onlookers. At the bot<
tom Of the pit were men partially burned and
wounded some were trying to crawl forward on
hands and knees and others lay motionless, rive
eted to the ground by heavy iron rails and girders.
Immediately willing men, fearless Of the DANCES
which menaced them hy the overhanging ron pill
lars descended into the pit and brought forth
the bodies of the men who had met their DEATH
The first body recovered was that Of Samuel Bell.
age fortytw who leaves wife and five young
children. The next body recovered was that on
John Angel, age twenty-five, who leaves young
wife, who was carried away from the
scene in ar almost insensible condition; Samuet
and almost unrecognzable. His arms were closely
folded his chest and his teeth firmly sci, as %
he had had terrible struggle with death He
was unmarried. John Angel, age forty-hve ana
young man named O'Brien are also known 70
be under the ruins, but their bodies have not yeu
been recovered.
Tho wounded are Thomas Stacey, age twenty
seven. an Indian Of Caughnawaga, who has CONS
pound fracture Of the leg and severely bruised
about hands and face, not likely to recover;
a FRI ture Of the skull and face and hands burned,
not likely to recover; George Fisher, age twenty.
four native of Ohio, also badly burned. These
men were employed by the Bridge Companys
Gerald Donahne, Robert CoqTh;o,n,n Terence RonG,
Garchu are also badly burned The search fos
the hodies is still kept up.
There are various opinions as to cause OF dlsA
aster. but it is generally believed that there was
n leakage Of gas and while wofllmen were search-
ing for 1t the explosion happened. lew minu,es m
the building with lighted lamp The damage
Is about s20OOOO The new gasometer was only
recently built at cost Of $4,000.