The Washington times., 1895-04-23
Patent Office Employees Received
Painful and Serious Injuries.
A. L. FLINT BURNED ALL OVER
His Injuries Will Not However Result seri-
ously-The Accident Happened During
the Transfer of Ether In the Photograph
-Eundred-P Pound Carboy the
Acuident-Damage VIII Reach ST, 900.

The explosion OF a five hundred pound
carboy of ether caused a disastrous fire in
the southwest corner of the basement of the
Patent Office shortly after l O'Clock yes
tenday afternoon, and although the flames
Were quickly extinguished, several people
were injured and about SO ,0o0 worth OF
damage was done
The explosion took place in the photo
graph room of the Patent Office Mr. A.
L. Flint and Mr. e. Thieikuhl were trans
fenng a quantity of ether from one carboy
TO another, when one receptacle broke and
the fumes from the fluid ignited either at
an oil stove in the room or at a lamp in the
darkroom, and a tremendous explosion re-
suited Mr Flint fell into the midst of the
flames, and the others in the room were
dashed violently against the walls, aud
after sustaining slight injuries made their
escape into the corridor.
The flames communicated from the
photograph room with the stacks OF files
in the corridors adjacent, and in a few
seconds the whole basement seemed to be
in a blaze, dense volumes OF smoke and
flame pouring from the windows of the
building. The fire depar tment was
promptly on the scene, however, and in a
few minutes succeeded in eXtinguishing
the fire. The force of the explosion tore
large pieces out OF the granite work Of
the room, and wrecked the furniture and
wood work.
IN THE MIDST OF THE FLAMES.
Mr. Flint. who was in the midst of the
flames, was the most seriously burned.
He fell down when the explosion took
place. and for some moments lay in the
blaze, unable to rise, and crying for
help. When he was rescued and carried
to Williams drug store, corner OF Ninth
and f streets, he was almost unconscious.
DR.. Heinicke attended 10 his injuries
temporarily, and he was then removed 10
the Emergency Hospital, where he was
4 found to be covered with burns, and 1t was
! feared that he had inhaled some of the
burning vapor. His injuries, however,
are not thought to be OF a serious nature.
He is young man, unmarried and lives
! al No. 1420 j street northeast.
Mr. c. M. Parker, employed as watch
man in the Patent Office. had his right
1 hand badly burned fighting the fire. ard
his hair and beard scorched- Mr. Thiel-
huhl was thrown against the wall and
badly shaken up 10y the explosion, and
Mr. c. F. Black!edge, another assist
ant photographer, was blown through a
| window aud severely shocked.
Mr.. J. Z. wheat, VINO prepares paper for
! blue printing, was by Mr.. Fliut's side when
! the explosion took place, and was thrown
| against the wall, and then found his way cut
! into the corridor. He could hear Mr.. Flint S
cries for help, but could not go TO his aid.
MISS MENUS PAINTED.
Miss Annie Nevius, the telephone operator,
heard the explosion and the cries Of the
injured men, aud tainted away. She was
| found by some of the rescuers and was un-
conscious when taken out When re-
Yived, however, she was able 10 walk away.
Captain OF the Watch Halleck made an in
| vest igation yesterday evening, and esti-
mates the damage TO the building, chemicals,
/ files. etc, at not less than $1,000. The
/ files were of considerable value, being sets
OF duplicate drawings and specifications OF
! patents that have been issued by the office
| and are sold to private individuals at S15
for a complete set.
After the fiTemen had succeeded in putting
out the fire smoke was detected coming from
one OF the stacks, aI& several hundred OF
| these sets were torn down and scattered
| about in an effort 70 locate the source
| Many were destroyed in this way, and while
| a few were burned, nearly all were water
! soaked.
Late last night all the injured were re
| ported to be doing well, and 10 serious re-
suits are apprehended.