Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-05
A Big Building in Chicago Badly
Racksd by Leaking Gas.
MANY FIREMEN BADLY BURNED.
No Explanation Of How the Leak
Came About-The Explosions
Were in the Basement, Under
the Sidewalk = Gallant Work
of Rescue Directed by the
Chief Of the Department.

".
The accident occurred during the pro-
gress of small fire, and over score OF
firemen, including Chief Swenie, OF the
fire department, and several laborers were
seriously Injured. Two Ren are dying, and
others are so seriously burned that they
may not recover.
The explosion was in the plate vault
which is located Immediately beneath the
sidewalk which is formed Of heavy iron
frames covered with glass and iron.
During the early part OF the afternoon
three employees of the natural gas company
had been at work in this vault, making
connections that were to be used in supply
ing the boiler plant with fuel.
AS precaution the doors of the vault
were closed Shortly before o'clock
Foreman Robert Granger, OF the press
room which adjoins the vault, noticed
flames in the vicinity OF the brick wall
which extended between the press room
and the vault
These flames had the appearance of igni-
ted gas that had escaped through the par
tition wall. Without waiting to open the
vault doors the foreman gave an alarm OF
fire. They then returned to the basement
when some one threw open the vault door,
Instantly there was an explosion and
nearly all of the employees who were in the
vicinity, about ten in number, were thrown
to the floor, all sustaining more or less Sc
rious injuries.
Within a few moments members Of the
fire insurance patrol, hose and engine COM
panies were on the spot, headed by Chlef
Swenie. The squad OF fremen rushed to
the basement and had no sooner reached
the vault door than second and stronger
explosion followed, and all the men were
hurled to the floor or across the room
against the wall on the opposite side,
which they struck with terrific force.
Several of the men were rendered sense
less, and the flames which had ignitcd
their clothing roasted their hands and
faces in the most horrible manner.
Other firemen were close behind them,
however, and for few minutes the fire
was left to take care Of itself while
the injured men were rescued. Before
one half of them had been taken out and
while the basement was full Of men work
ing with desperation TO save their helpless
comrades, came third explosion more
terrific than either Of its predecessors, and
the would be reScuers were laid beside the
men they had come to assist
This time the already loosened iron
work covering the vault was torn from its
fastenings aud came tumbling down.
Fresh food for the gas was already at
hand and q score OF gallant fremen sprang
into the vault TO rescue the men who had
been injured Undeterred by the danger
of another explosion, and cheered by
Sweenie, the tiremen worked as men
can work when their own lives and the
lives of others were trembling in the bal
ance.
One by one the burned and battered men
were dragged from the basement, and as
the last one was taken out Swenie called:
"Now out for your lives men," and there
was a rush for the upper floor which was
made just in the nick of time, for fourth
explosion came, which made bricks, mortar
and iron work fiy like feathers, and gave
the Chief a scorch as he beat a retreat,
that he will remember for many long day.
Hurrying to the door Swenie called TO
the driver of patrol wagon standing near,
and ordered it 70 drive at once to the Office
of the natural gas company and tell them
to shut of the flow OF gas.
IF it is not done," he said, II won't an
swer for the safety of the building" The
patrol wagon took only few minutes TO
fulfill its mission, the gas was smut on. and
the firemen led on by the Chief, who had
improved the opportunity to have his face
and hands dressed and bandaged, went at
the fire once more, and made short work OF
it. The great building, however, had been
badly strained and torn and every pane OF
glass in the entire eight stories was lying in
splinters on the ground. 1t will cost $2O,-
600 to repair the damage done.
How the gas became ignited is mys-
terry. The police are inclined to place the
blame on the workmen but it is doubtful
whether the cause will ever be discovered.
FATALLY BURNED.
Russell, JAMES, fireman, burned about
the head and internal injuries.
GALLAGHER, THOMAS, fireman, internal
injuries and face almost burned off.
The following were seriously but not
fatally burned
SwENIE, DENNIS, Chief of fire depart
ment
O'MALLEY, PATRICK, fire marshal.
SYFERIdcK, CHARLES, Captain truck
No. l.
MCDONALD, JOIN, Captain Company
KAEDER, FRED, Captain Company No.
21.
LACEY, MARTIN, Lieutenant Company
No. 13.
MURPHY, PATRICK, Lieutenant Company
No. 10.
LAIN. ]. c., Lieutenant Insurance Patrol.
DoNLAN, JOHN, fireman.
Koch, MATTHEW. fireman.
PADDoN, WILLIAM, fireman.
NOLAN MICHAEL, fireman.
NEvINs, THOMAS, fireman.
DEvLIN, JOHN, fireman.
KELLY, J. E., fireman
FLEMING, CHARLES, fireman.
MULLEN, EDWARD, time-keeper for Don
ohue & Henneberry.
SREEHY, JoHN, pressman.
GNATT, AUGUST, pressman.
CLEVELAND, CLINTON. laborer.
FARRAGH, JOHN, labOrer.
MULLANE, A, laborer.
SCHROEDER, HENRY, laborer.
UNKNOWN MAN employed by gas CON-
pany.