Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-02-19
A STRANGE pAr EXPLOSION.


Two employees oil the diamond ice Coh-
pany Badly Burned in an Explosion
Two of the employees of the Diamond
Ice Company, Thirteenth and Lombard
streets, We're seriously injured Tuesday
while in one of the ice watts, which was
being repainted.
The regular annual repainting Of the
watts is going on this week. These watts
are deep longitudinal structures, ar
ranged in series along the floor. Their
purpose is for the artificial manufacture
of ice. They measure 16 feet long,
about six or seven feet deep and two
feet wide. They have a timber flooring
and the sides are covered with sheet
iron. This, as stated, was being re-
painted, which is done annually to
guard against rust and corrosion. A
bright liquid black paint is used for this
purpose. 1t very much resembles roof
tar, but Is not so consistent
About II o'clock James Kennedy was
standing in one of the watts applying the
paint to the sides. Engineer Joseph
Kirkley was passing at the time when
Kennedy called out to him.
I'm pretty near asleep Joe | won
der is it this paint makes me fell SO
bad?"
Mr.. Kirkley Immediately stepped
down the short ladder. He replied to
Kennedy that it smelt something like
dentists gas. It was very strong. In
fact the odor from the paint filled the
building to a more or less extent.
Suddenly there was rumbling ex-
plosion. Kirkley, who was standing
close to the ladder, wheeled around and
tumbled up as fast as he could.
Kennedy followed him as fast as he
could. Flames had commenced at the
farther end of the vat but the ignition
was SO quick that by the time kirkley's
head was above the level of the floor
the whole atmosphere of the vat was
allan. Poor Kennedy being in the
rear suffered most. 1t is probable that
his already faint condition retarded his
efforts at escape. Both men were atire.
Courageously, however, they stood and
Immediately commenced pulling off
their burning clothing. The thick,
heavy working clothing with which
they were attired undoubtedly saved
their lives. Kennedy was badly burned
on the face, neck and hands. Kirkley
too received serious burns on the hands
and to certain extent in the face.
Both men were immediately removed,
Kennedy to his home near Lea's mills
and Kirltley, who lives at No. 205 East
Sixth street, was taken to the residence
of friend, John Bliss, No. I'LL French
street. DR.. James ii. Morgan was
quickly in attendance. Kennedy's case
is the more serious and il is thought
that Kirkley is hurt worse than he sup
poses. His face which he claims gives
him no pain is very much swollen.
President Lea Pusey cannot account
for the explosion. The same paint has
been used every year. He thinks the
spontaneous ignition was caused by
some inflammable element used in the
manufacture of the paint. The article
is obtained from New York, and is
claimed to be specially suited for the
purpose for which it is used. Last year
one of the workmen had tainted in a
vat, and when taken out it took some
time to resuscitate him.
Mr.. Pusey personally cautioned Ken
needy yesterday not to go down into the
vat, but to use u long-handled brush for
the purpose. He persisted, however,
| saying that it was too dark for him to
see what he was doing.
There was no fire around of any kind
with the exception of a lamp which
stood some 25 feet away from the watts.
1t was properly protected with chimney
and cover. The strictest rules exist
around the factory in regard to smoking
or to striking matches The employees
are positive that the explosion cannot
be attributed to any breaking of the
rules in that direction.
DR.. Morgan reports that the two
wounded men are getting along well.
Both are totally disabled, but will come
out Ill rinht