Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-30
EXPLOSION And FIRE
AT TIE HUNTER SPICE MILL ON IHE SOUTH
SIDE, YESTERDAY MORNING.
Natural Gas Accumulated in the Cellar During The
Night, and Igniisd From TOrch-Ihrss
Other Explosions During the Day-Ihrss
Men Slightly lpjured-Tha Tea
Company Fire.

10 IGN WY O'N-- y
back TO their houses from the Atlantic
Tea Company fire, yesterday morning,
when an alarm from box No. Al. at the
Hook and Ladder house, called the fire.
fighting force TO J. w. Hunters exsen-
sive spice mills, on Main street, at the
south end of thestoue bridge, where a
serious natural gas explosion had start
ed bad FIRE in the cellar Of the estab-
lishment.
About seven o'clock in the morning
John Wherry. the engineer at the es-
adjustment, went down into the cellar
with a torch to turn on the water,
which had been shut of the night be-
fore, on account of thu excessively cold
weather. AS soon as he had cleverly
entered the cellar there was an explo-
sion of gas, which had accumulated IN
the cellar during the night, and Mr..
Wherry was knocked down and his hair
and beard burned, he making a very
narrow escape. At the moment OF the
explosion john BoIuger, another en-
pioye OF the establishment, was IN the
Office on the first floor, engaged in start
ing fire 10 the stove. The force OF the
explosion ripped the floor ali out OF
shape, blew open the front doors and
upset Mr.. BolinRer and bucket OF coal
he had in his hand all over the floor.
lie escaped with slight bruises.
The noise made by the explosion was
very considerable, IL being hearG for a
considerable distance 10 that portion OF
the city, and moment later the Dig
building was filed with smoke, while
flames burst from almost the entire cell
lar. An alarm was sent Ia from box No.
Al, and the department was soon at the
scene, and penetrating TO the cellar at
considerable risk, the fire was drowned
out before ii had time to make its way
into the upper portion Of the building.
A very little better start would have
made one of the biggest fires ever seen
In the city.
An examination OF the premises after
the fire was extingulshed showed that
the entire lower floor had been damaged
by the force of the explosion, being
ripped up and skewed out OF shape,
while the fire which followed had
charred the jolsts and flooring badly,
necessitating good deal Of work In the
way OF repairs. Several holes had 10
be chopped in the floor by the iremen
ia order TO throw water adVantageousIy.
In the rear Of the cellar the foundations
we're also Jared by the explosion. and
biicks were torn loose, illustrating the
force with which the gas went off, and
showing that there had been very
considerable accumulation.
After noon yesterday there were
three smaller explosions. One was
caused by Architect Giesey, who had
been called in to estimate repairs, max
ing light in the cellar TO measure the
charred joists. Mr.. Giesgy was upset
and his hair and moustache were sing
ed. Later John Bolluger, who had
been knocked down by the explosion Of
the morning, made a light 10 the cellar,
which was instantly followed by an e1-
plosion, and be was again knocked him
of his feet, and later still fourth explo-
sion OF the gas occurred. A portion OF
the fire department had to respond TO
call to the building during this series
Of EXPLOSIONS.
The loss could not be estimated by
Mr.. Hunter yesterday afternoon. He
said he had not been able TO make an
examination OF his stock, but
be bad no doubt some goods had been
damaged by water, by smoke and by
cold. There were three feet of water
left in the cellar by the tremeu, aud
this would about ruin large portion OF
the stock in that part OF the establish
ment. The loss TO the building will
probably not exceed five hundred dol
lars
1t was the universal opinion OF both
those about the premises and Of experts
from the city gas Office that a big nat
ural gas leak had caused the trouble,
and that snow and ice had stopped ~
the vent holes 10 the covering OF nat
ural gas man-hole, causing the accu-
mutation OF gas in the man-hoIe TO seep
through the ground into the cellar.
Persons in the vicinity say there has
been a very strong odor OF gas about the
south end Of the stone bridge for sew
eral days past.