New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-18
SIX UNCONSCIOUS IN THEIR CELLS.
AN EXPLOSION BURNS TWO MEN AND FILLS
POLICE STATION WITH GAS.

AN EXPLOSION BURNS TWO MEN AND FILLS
POLICE STATION WITH GAS
Two men were injured and half dozen prisoners
we're made unconscious as the result OF gas explosion
in front Of the police station at Yonkers early yester
dav morning Daniel Cunningham contractor Is
engaged in making a sewer at Main and DOCK sts'
On Tuesday owing to the heat. the workmen stopped
excavating and resumed work at night Az the ume
OF the explosion Cunningham and Thomas Mesny,
laborer were at the top Of the excavation and Michael
Ouinlan and jeremiah Malone at the bottom holstlng
up dirt and stones A large bowloer was ued Oh d
rope and Meany was hosting it up. When near the
top 1t became detached from the rope and fell back
into the excavation. The stone struck sXlnch
gas pipe and shattered it. The men in the pit had
lighted lantern with them. The escaping gas was
iented by the light and terrific explosion took place
The blaze shot up into the air twenty feet. Qulnlan
and Malone who were at the bottom Of the pit, were
surrounded by the flames. Their clothes were soon
on fire and they were loudly calling for help.
Roundsman Quinn, who was sitting on the WINDOW
sill Of the police station, was knocked down but not
hurt by the force of the explosion. He ran to the
two suffering and frantic and helped them out
of the flaming pit Both men were severely burned
about the face, hands and body. They were
removed to st. Josephs hospital for treatment. had
II not been for the arrival of Quinn tho two men would
probably have been roasted alive Cunningham anu
Meany wro blown ten feet away by the force OF the
exn1osion These two men not injured, though
greatly frightened and somewhat dazed. Meany was
blamed for the accident. He was into1icateu "iilo
at work Yesterday morning he was arrested ana
Jndee Tbayer fined him $40 for intoxicacon, wmch
was afterward RENTED. AS soon as the men were
taken ont OF the excavation the flames In the sewer
were extinguished by filing up the excavation with
earth, The force Of the explosion put out al tne
burning gasjets in the police station .
During the early morning the escaping gas hao mic"
tbs poIica station At O'Clock the doorman MADE
his roupds and one Of the prisoners complained 70 MIN
that the gas made him sick. At O'Clock Roundslah
Woodruff who was the only officer at the station went
n the cells to send the prisoners over to court On
the stone floor Of the cells were stretched the FORMS
~ sly nrsoners unconscious from the gas whch had
eI,e5 their cells Woodruff himself was almost over
come by It, He quickly picked up George eherinan'
one n. the prisoners and hurried with him up STAIRS
u. laid sheridan on the floor and summoned CITY
Marshal McGrath, who was approaching the STATION
with Patrick O'Ne prisoner whom ne hao adfeS'eo.
A dozen citizens also responded to the summons OF
Oncer woodruff and they removed the uncon-
scions men 10 the Manor Hall Square, where they wore
laid ON the grass in the open air. Police surgeon
swift was sent for and after working over tho men
Gov nearly An hour succeeded in revivng them The
victims were John Lyons, Thomas Meany' George
sheridan George Moran James Mcouade ana Jonn
S' fteT he men had revived they were taken
bacE 10 court. During the EXCITEMENT % renoviihS
the nrsoners from the gas-hlled cells, CITY MarsnI
Mcrafh,s prisoner, O'Bren who was hed LOT larcenys
made his escape and is stu at large.