Passaic City record., 1892-12-31
Died BY DYNAMITE.
Long Island City Torn Up by a
Terrific Explosion.
The Scene, a Tunnel Shaft in a
Populous Block.

Aterrible explosion of dynamite occurred
in Long Island City, N. Y, at eight o clock
few mornings ago. by which five persons
lost their lives and some twenty or thirty
persons were severely injured The acci-
dent occurred in the works OF the Long ISL
and and New York Tunnel Company, at
jackson aud Vernon avenues.
The workingmen employed by this corpor-
alton bsve been engaged there for 9 con-
siderable time driving headings under the
surface and have used great quantities OF
the powerful explosives in prosecuting their
work
There have been several minor explosions
Of dynamite at the placa. Buildings have
been shaken and window glass shattered,
but no one until this occasion becams vic
tim to the accidents,
The pushing of the headings has been
prosecuted with vigor recently and great
quantities of dynamite have been kept near
tie works IN order to economizs time in the
blasting.
Residents of the neignborhooi have pro-
tested against the apparent carelessness OF
the company, and have appealed to the au-
thorities, but with no effect. There were
nearly q hundred men who had been en-
ployed in this tunnel about an hour when an
alarm came of a premature explosion.
There was q panic at once, but before
anyone had time to save himself the earth
shook with the explosion of dynamite and
tho s.rface of the ground in the vicinity OF
the tunnel rose in the air. scattering the
fragments Of the unfortunate persons near
and tn, debris Of the tunnel in every direc-
ton.
The flames from the explosion Oct fire to
the large four-story brick building adjoin-
ing the tunnel ami shattered every pane Of
glass in houses for blocks about.
Tk~ 1.~xl 49, =
teen, Long Island City; E iward Hopkins,
Peter Rocco, Mrs. Peter Rocco. Henry
C'Brien, aged thirty three, clerk, Long
Island City
When the explosion occurred eli the work
men were in tae tunnel except Rocco, who
was placed in charge of the dynamite at the
head of the tunnel He was blown to
injured. The cupola of st. Mary's Roman
Catholic Church on Vernon avenue and
Fifth street was smashed into pieces by the
conclusion.
Work on the tunnel has been progressing
about two months. The city. it is said, has
been warned time and again OF the danger
astending the work, but no action was taken
for the protection Of the residents Of the
neighborhood against a disaster of this
character.
The fra which at first set the brick build
ing ablaze, soon extended to the adjoining
ones whose walls had been warped and
cracked by the force of the explosion, and
they are now ir imminent danger of falling.
The tenants are. supposed to have escaped
with safety.
In the building which was nearest the
tunnel was the postofflce. When the shock
occurred tons Of debris fell in this part of
the structure and completely buried the
mails. They were at once removed to No.
SO Borden avenue. where temporary onlce
was established
Hundreds of people, attracted to the
place by the explosion, aided the firemen in
rescuing tho wounded. Wagons of all kinds
were used in conveying the manned people
An oe the doctors in the city hastened to
the scene