The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-19
BENZINE
i BURNS THREE.
Mrs. L. j. Ragey May Die
From the Effects.
ALMOST BURNED TO A CRISP
The Explosion Occurs in the Dying Es.
tabliSnment Of |. Ragey on East
Eighth Street. Loss $500.

= Exploding benzine will In all PROBABLE
ity add another victim to Its long list.
Shortly before noon while John Ragoy,
his wife Josephine and daughter Maria
were at work in the Ragey dying establish
ment at No. East Eighth street tho
fumes became ignited md Mrs. Ragey was
burned so badly that her life is in the
balance. Mr. Ragey received burns about
the head and faco, while Miss Ragoy Is
burned about the head, face and arms
quito badly.
The explosion was the second one that
has occurred at the establishment within
six months. but was more serious mas.
much as no ono was burned by the pre-
yious ono. This time husband. wife, and
daughter wero at work in the franc two
story structure in the rear OF tho main
building securing clothes.
They were rushed but were nevertheless
careful, knowing the combustible nature
of the liquid they were handling. But an
explosion occurred and the flames seized
upon Mrs, Ragey who was walking close
by. In an instant she was mass OF trc.
Hor husband and daughter were dumb
founded and before they could render any
assistance were forced 10 leave tho burn
ing room. Mrs. Ragey wild with frenzy,
yet weak from her fresh injuries, managed
to escape from the ROOM and rushed out
passed her husband and daughter who
were unable to pacify her. The burning
woman reached the street just as several
pedestrians passed the door hut SO awe
stricken were they that they shuddcred at
the sight.
Wilmer Stewart. barber, walking on
tho opposite side of the street. saw the
burning llgale, and dropping razor
which he was using, rushed to the wo-
mans aid, meeting her just us Howard
Fuaster did. Both men threw thor couts
about the woman and laid her in the
street with the effect of distinguishing the
fire But it was too late.
The flames had eaten the clothes from
the aged woman's body aud the burned
skin from her hands and lower limbs hung
In strings 1t was "a sight which made the
men weep. Meanwhile crowd Of people
had collected aud shortly afterward an
alarm of fire was sent in from box No. to
which district engines reported. The fire.
men found the blaze exceedingly stubborn
because of the flaming mat rial started
within tho building, and worked half an
hour before what looked to be disastrous
fro was extinguished.
All this time aid was being rendered
The human victims Of the fire. Mrs Ra-
gey was carried to the side walk by strong
arms and subsequently placed in the
Phoenix Ambulance, which was sum-
moned by Officer Harry Pierce, and hur-
Iicd to the Homeopathic Hospital.
Mir, and Miss Ragey were taken into tho
storo and attention given them. DR..
Stubs and Herbert X. Watson We're soon
in attendance and gave tho aid. They
did not realize their own condition, but
inquired how Mrs Ragey was They ex-
pressed desire to see her and in short
time woro taken to the hospital.
The loss to the building will amount to
about $3.50 There was sufficient insur-
ance to cover it, however. The police ably
assisted the tlremen in keeping back the
crowd. The can containing the explosive
was carried from the building by Fireman
Burke.
At2 o'clock attendants at the hospital
announced that Mrs. Ragey's condition
was srch that she would not live through
out tho day.