The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-31
EXPLOSION IN FLUSHING.
Due TO Firing ~ Fiohert Hins In Fire
works Store.

works store.
FLusHfNo. 1. J.. Oct 3O.-Six persons were
badly burned by an explosion OF gunpowder in
Charles & Vests sporting goods store at 10
Main street about q o'clock this evening. The
store was wrecked and set on fire. and. amid
n fusilade Of fireworks and the spiteful crack
OF exploding cartridges. the village fromen
fought tho flames.
1t was flash from Tlobert rife and an
exposed can OF powder that worked the mis-
CHIEF. The weapon was in the hands OF Mr..
West. who was showing It to Harry Ferris
and his brother. Philip Ferris. sons Of q
butcher In this village.
The two youths were examining the weapon
with the intention OF purchasing 1t. Accom-
paning them were Eugene Wright. Edward
Bailey. and William Engelhardt In showing
how the gun worked Mr.. West placed blank
cartridge in the breech. and. pointing the
muzzle Of tho weapon downward under the
counter. pulled the trigger
The little stream OF fire which blazed out Of
the barrel was followed by heavy shock. and
n great sheet OF flame shot up toward the cell
ing and overwhelmed Mr.. West and his pros
pective customers. Instantly the store. which
was stocked with fireworks and explosives.
was in flames.
Burned and blinded by the blaze that set fire
to their clothing. tho shopkeeper and tho
young men made mad plunge for the side
walk. Mr.. Vests clothing was already torn in
shreds. and his beard and hair wero burned
from his face and head.
The report OF the explosion was felt blocks
away. There was o rush OF village toward
the scene. Great volumes OF smoke and
flames were pouring out Of the wrecked store
when the Fire Department arrived. As the
flreInon entered the blazing building. there
was seconl explosion. which blew out the
whole front Of the store and broke window
rancs in houses a block or more away. The
spectators who had gathered In front Of the
place were showered with splinters from the
big plate.glass windows. which were shat
tered to pieces and blown across the street.
Some Of them were badly cut ty the flying
Then began free Fourth of July celebra;
ton. Roman candies. rockets. blue and red
lights and tlrecrackers went OF promiScuons-
sharp reports Of exploding cartridges and the
whlzzing of bullets.
ns ewa eT to ss rs
,,Immeiiateiy following The ,lrst explosion
Ing buiIdinG. Her two.year. ola child, who
p pss H' escaped without scratch '' "a
The bremen got in on the upper floor and
the ne vb Az
they had q lively tusse and were finally over
come by a cloud OF smoke that followed a
third explosip. which occurred In O sort OF
storcroom where they were at work.
Relief was speedily at hand. however. and
they were assisted to the open air. The
flames were eXtinguished inside Of an hour.
The building was badly damaged, and the loss
is estimated at about $4,000. which is covered
by insurance.
The second explosion shattered the windows
IN Thomas H. Green's grocery store and Lewis
Bros plumb bling shop. which adjoin Vests
place on either side.
Vests store was quite n rendezvous for the
amateur athletes of the village who gathered
there evenings A bicycle match to be run
election day was gotten up by West for tho
Mercury Wheel Club OF this village. and the
trophies were on exhibition In the windows Of
his store. ~~...
pin; several medals. and a bicycle; The bicycle
II. Allen Just rs the second explosion took
place. The other trophies were blown out ON
the street and have not been recovered.
When West and his customers fled from the
store nearly frenZied with pain. they were
caught on the sidewalk by persons running to
the fire and taken into nearby drug stores.
West was badly burned but his injuries are
not thought to be mortal.
Young Bailey had all the hair burned from
the others. When he saw the flash he invol-
unfairly covered his face with his hands. while
his elder brother. in spite OF being burned.
pushed him out Of tho store.
Engehardt was also badly burned. He IL q
druggist. and lives in College Point After
having their injuries dressed all the sufferers
were taken to their homes