Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-09-07
ONE CENT.
DYNAMITE AND FLAMES.
Frightful Havoc of an Explosion
at Antwerp. a
TWO HUNDRED PEOPLE KILLED.


Hundreds More Were Seriously Wounded.
Eighty Thousand Barrels of Petroleum
Aname-The Damage to Property VIII
Reach Many Millions of Dollars.
ANTWERP, Sept This city has just been
the scene Of a frightful accident A large
quantity Of dynamite exploded in a cartridge
factory, totally demolishing that portion Of
the building in which the explosive was kept,
killing two hundred people and more or less
iniuring about five hundred others. or the
wounded majority are workmen but the
number includes several soldiers.
Where the Explosion Occurred.
The explosion occurred in workshop
where a large number Of old cartridges were
being taken 20 pieces Many men and
women were employed in this shop and they
were actively engaged IN breaking up the
old cartridges There were fully 25,000,0O0
Of these in and about the premises, a part Of
them already broken up. The factory was
located in the vicinity Of the Bourse, which
az the time of the explosion was crowded.
Burning fragments of the factory were
hurled against the Bourse, setting it on fire
and creating a panic among the members,
several Of whom were injured.
A Fierce Petroleum Fire.
The explosion OCCURRED Immediately back
Of the docks upon which millions Of cartridges
were being unloaded Large petroleum
stores stood adjacent to the factory aud
these were set on fire by the burning frag-
ments and $1,000 barrels are now burning
no "a 10 81.
Fortunately the cartridges on the docks were
not affected by the explosion.
The Loss viii Reach Millions.
The damage to property will reach many
millions. The fire is still burning iercely,
and the best the firemen hope for is to ex-
tinguish it in twenty-four hours. The heat
from the burning masses Of petroleum Is in
tense, and it is impossible to approach within
hundred yards Several vessels have been
burned at their docks, and others were only
saved through the promptest action Of their
officers in towing them out Of danger The
fire is not now spreading and it is hoped, il
the wind does not rise during the night, that
the flames can be confined to their present
limits A strong west wind would, how
ever, set the whole city in blaze.
Two Acres Of Planes.
The flames cover two acres Of ground and
rise 10 an Immense height. Amidst the
fierce roar Of the flames is heard from time
20 time the loud reports Of explosives, 70
which there seems to be no end. These ex-
pl0sions are supposed TO be Of packages Of
cartridges stored in the buildings, which
seem 70 remain intact until the hot tongues
Of flame are actually upon them. The ship
ping at the African docks and at the Amer
ican docks is in serious danger, and all the
facilities for removing the vessels from the
immediate vicinity Of the cOnnagration are
being pressed into service.
The Reports Increase the Number Of Dead.
Later.-At an early hour the fire is still
raging with undiminished fury, and the
military are assisting the iremen in prevent
ing the spread of the conhagration. 1t IL
now certain that fully 300 people have per-
ished and no less than 900 are injured.
The scenes at the hospitals where the
wounded have been conveyed are heart
rending The ships at the American docks
were saved, the wind being favorable.
The explosions at the burning cartridge
factory still continue at frequent intervals,
and the flying shells render the work Of the
firemen and soldiers extremely perilous
The cartridge factory at which the explo.
sion occurred was known as the Carvilean
factory. The communal council recently
condemned it as dangerous, but for some un-
explained reason it was allowed to continue
operations. The victims are mostly factory
girls.
Windows were shattered at points three
miles away.