The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-02-01
EXPLOSION IL TOWER.
Seven Story Block
Partly Wrecked.
Explosion Caused Fire and Builling
Was Burned.
Accumulation of Gas
Probable Cause.
Panic Ensued But Two Only
We're Seriously Hurt.

New AOrks january ols-4nh SSNsh
story factory OF the William Wioke CON =
pany, manufacturers of cigar boXe' /,
labels and ribbons at 401 to 41g East alst
street, was shaken this afternoon by an
explosion in the shaving tower" which
wrecked the tower and demolished TIE
root of the engine house. The explosion
is believed to have been caused by gas 40
emulation. The foroe OF the explosion
was tremendous and completely wrecked
the tower. The brick work fell on the
engine house, crushing 1t and the explo-
sion cracked the big smoke stack, leo feet
high, over the engine room. Nearly eight
hundred persons were at work in the
Wicke factory at the time OF the explo-
sion. Three hundred and fifty of them
ensued Il but only two persons were seri-
ousIy injured. A score or more were
slightly hurt by being cut with broken
glass or struck with flying splinters. The
loss caused ny the explosion amounted TO
several thousand dollars. Fire resulting
in damage to the extent OF 81. DOO, 600
started anew In the William Wicke COM
pany's building tonight Within half an
hour the entire building extending half
the length of the block in Slst street to
the East river, was In mass OF flames
and the firemen osasing their attempts to
save the building, turned all their atten-
tlon to the adjacent structures.
A number OF persons vera injured
during the first rush and spread of the
fire.
Roun1sman Quinn and Sergeant
Hauptman, who was promoted for
bravery at the Windsor hotel tire were in
command of a squad OF ten men at the
scene when the tire started. They saw at
once that the Woke building was doomed
and turned their attention to the tene-
ment at 45f East 8lst street, directly OPP
posite the burning factory. This is five
story tenement occupied by twenty-five
families.
A policeman carried out Mrs. Sarah
Mcdonald who lived IN the second floor
and VINO had given birth to a babs only q
few days ago.
Engine company 81 which has attached
lines OF hose to the hydrant at the corner
and almost underneath the walls OF the
burning factory, was in dangerous posi-
ton. The tiremen, forced back by the
heat, were compelled to abandon the
three big white horses Some fireman ran
in and cut the traces. One Of the horses
was SO badly burned that he had to be
shot.
The Wicke building was at that time
bu rned to the ground.
| just before the oompany's main build
ing was burned ladder against the
south wall on which was Fireman Peter
Coyls, was seen to be on fire. shouts o
warning notified Coyls of his danger and
he bsgan to descend. Before he was half
way down the walls fell and took the
ladder with 1t. Coyle was thrown to the
street and both ankles were broken.
The water tower, hook and ladder No.
7, was stationed about the middle OF the
block in Slst street, but the heat was
intense that, after the horses had teen
taken out, the men were compelled o
abandon the tower. In few minutes It
was twisted BY the heat and was a mass
OF ruins.
New York, January 81 The explosion
this afternoon in the cigar factory of the
W. Woke Co., IN East 3lst STREET, by
which over 20 personsswere injured, was
followed at z O'Clock tonight by one OF
the tiercest contisgrations New York
has witnessed in many years, causing an
estimated loss of si,S00.00O. The burned
area In general extent took in about one
city block.