The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-06-22
-Four Are Seriously Injured and
at Pacific Coast Bis.
cult Factory.
HOLDS LIGHT TO BARREL
The Panic-Strieken Girl Em-
plOyes Rush Down the
Stairs-Fire Speed
lily Checked.

1h NfhkNDf 1AhE eAsTTE OuT iHEH
were burned or injured, one fatally, by
the explosion OF a barrel OF alcohol
in the factory building Of the Pacific
Coast Biscuit Company, corner OF
Eleventh and Davis streets, at 10:3O
, this morning. The explosion shook the
building from cellar to roof, and caus-
cd n panic among the 100 or more
employees. many Of whom were giEs.
They rushed pell-mell down stairs to
the street, and several were overcome
by the excitement. None. however.
were injured. The fire resulting from
the explosion did less than $1,000 dam
age, being extinguished by the auto
matte sprInklers.
The biscuit factory lis big three
story building. which occupies half a
block. fronting on Davis street, be-
tween Eleventh and Twelfth. The
third floor Is used almost exclusively
for shipping and boxing department.
1t was here that the explosion oc-
Cured
Adam Brill, assistant foreman, and
James Griffin an assistant In the ship
ping department, were examining a
barrel of what they supposed con-
tained vanilla extract, in an endeavor
10 find out how much was In the bar
rel.
II was too dark for them to see
without light, SO Brill got a piece
of paper, set fire to 1t and held 1t
over the hole In the top of the bar
rel.
He was about to peer in when there
was terrific explosion. The barrel
contained alcohol instead of vanilla ex.
tract.
Griffin, who stood in front of the
barrel, was thrown about 10 feet, his
body a vertiable ball of fire. The
burning alcohol literally covered him
from head to foot. The concussion
broke his right leg.
He fell against Lee Rossiter, the
assistant shipping clerk, whose clothes
were Immediately set on fire. Tn
mindful of his own danger, however.
Rossiter fought bravely to save Grif-
fin from the flames.
Henry Moy, a boy helper, in at
tempts to brush the fire from Rossi-
ter's clothes. burned his own hands
and one foot.
Adam Brill, who was close 10 the
barrel when the explosion occurred,
had a remarkable escape. Although
he was burned some by the blazing
spirits, most of it went toward Grif-
fin, and Brilrs injuries are not con-
sidered serious though they are ex-
tresnely painful.
The report of the explosion, the
cries of the injured, and then the cry
of fire caused stampede among the
employees. There were about 80 people,
including many girls. at work on the
floor where the fire started, and all
rushed madly for the stars.
An alarm of fire was sent in and fire
men were quickly on hand. But their
services We're not needed, for the au-
tomato sprinklers had made short
work of the flames.
The barrel which exploded was a
S0-gallon tank, and 1t Is wonder to
The firemen that the results were not
more disastrous.
The statement that Brill held
lighted paper to the barrel was made
by Griffin, at the hospital, this after
noon. He said they thought it con-
tanned vanilla extract; in fact, he still
thinks so.
Griftins burns are of most serious
nature and little hope is entertained
for his recovery.