New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-22
FOUR MEN BADLY BURNED.
GAS EXPLODES IN A NAPHTHA TANK.
THE VICTIMS CAUGHT IN TRAp-soME OF
THEM MAY DIE.

THE VICTIMS CAUGHT IN A TRAP-sOME OF
THEM MAY DIE.
Four men were seriously il not fatally burned
at 8 80 O'Clock yesterday morning by an explosion
of gas in a naphtha tank in Pratts oil yards in
Kcnt-ave near Bushwck Creek. Tic men had
gone into the tank to make some repairs, and the
explosion was caused by lighted lamp which
McCabe, one of the injured men, carried in his
hand All were frightfully burned about the
face hands. body and legs and little hope is en-
eriained for their recovery
The names Of the injured are James McCabe,
Gfty-fvc years old, Of No 1875 Eckford-st. Thomas
Hayden. thirty-fve years old. of No. 1863 Frank
Inst. James Cramer, thrty-two years old. OF NO.
1863 Frankn-st.: Patrick Mcclure, thrty-five
vcars old. Of No $50 Wytheave., and Mathew
O'Neill. laborer. The latter suffered only from
shock received by the explosion while at work
near the still.
All the injured men are employed by Mcneil q
NcLachlin, boler-makers In Franklnst., between
Mcscrole-ave and Quay-st., Grccnpoint. McCabe
was the foreman Of the gang and has been IN the
employment Of the firm for many years, VINO nave
of late had the contract with traits OIL company
to keep the tanks in repair
On Wednesday last IL was found that sui No.
10. which Is situated in the centre OF thirty
others. needed repairing. The still was emptied
and after the oil had been run of the tank was
steamed out. This was done in order that no gases
should remain in the still when the men entered
TO repair it. The stcaming was done yesterday
,orninc before the men entered 70 do the work.
p.licving everything 10 be safe, the men started
- ontcr through the manholc on top, which nearly
admins the drum and safety valve. McCahe was
the first TO enter, carrying the cone lamp IN his
Loud followed bv Crcamcr and Hayden Nc
c,ir was tho las, 10 enter. lie in the act
- ,,,lipo his descent to the bottom of the sui
,,ho, rho cyplosion occurred, followed by Jet OF
Hama and = dense volume of smoke. Badly burned
obopt the face. hands and body. he managed 10
roocb tho rround where he fell unconscious. The
explosion, followed by the shrieks OF the impriS-
oncd men, rang through the yard ana were hcaru
bv the worllmcn, who were thrown ih'o 6ic"'
state Of excitement. Work was al oicc
hogan 70 rescue the unfortunate men. Mc'aoe
remembered the manhoc within few ieet Oh ''e
hottom Of the tank and telling his companions 10
follow him. they CROPPED their way TO IL ana eheise'
90 rho omen mir. all frightfully burned. Their
clothing which Ind taken fire from the eNplosloh
,,,s sill burning. As the unfortunate fellows
ro,cbed rho open air they fell to the ground I'M
conscious from their burns. Blankets were secured
,yerc in this way eXtinguishcd Willing hands
then carried them into the Office Of the company
and then ambulance calls were sent out The
surgeons who responded were ONell and "hlte.
Eastern District Hospital; Schappan. st. Catha-
RINGS Uospital; and Slcc Homeopathic Hospital
Surgeons White and ONcll were first TO reach
the scene and at once began to relieve the suher-
nes Of the injured as much as possible
McCabc was found 70 be burned so badly that
the flesh fell off his hands and face He was
also totally blind. Crcamer and Hayden also
presented Il shocking appearance. Their faces were
burned almost beyond recognition. Creamer, IT
Is also feared has lost his cyesight Little hopes
are entertained for the recovery of Creamer, Hay
den and McCabc.
McCabc was removed TO his home. while Dreamer
and HAYDEN were taken to the Eastern District
Uoepital Mcguire was removed TO ~. Catharlne
Hospital IL is believed that the damp on Friday
night generated the gas in the drums The dam
age done by the explosion was trifiing. Had the
force Of the explosion, however, ignited the oil
in the surrounding tanks nothing could have saved
the entire works from destruction.