The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-18
EXPLODING GAS
SHAKES BUILDING
A Body of the Illuminant, Set off by
Gas Company's Workmen, Causes
CONSERVATION at South Main Street
and Eighth Avenue.

There was lively commoton in the
vicinity of South Main street and
Eighth avenue about o'clock last
evening.
A body of gas, the accumulation from
Il leak that has existed since the re-
cent food. was set off by an employe
of the gas company, who was endeav-
oring to locate the trouble. and who in
dscreetly lighted Il match, In an in
slant there was Il sheet of flame, fol-
lowed by the noise of an earthquake,
that went rumbling over the southern
part of the city. Buildings within the
radius Of Il block felt the shock. The
stores and residences within Il few
hundred feet of the spot where the gas
exploded shook until the windows rat
tied. and the occupants were filled with
the fear that their destruction was at
hand
A big hole was torn III the ground
surrounding the spot where the gas
issued forth.
Mud and stones were dug up and
thrown against the neighboring houses.
Edward Houston. the employe, who
had the misfortune to light the match.
was caught in the force with an up-
heaval of mud that covered his face
and almost blinded him. Medical at
tention, however relieved him, and no
bad consequences are looked for
Houston. who is employed in the sas
house, left his home after the supper
hour, and was passing the spot where
the odor of gas was strongest. There
is II stand pipe at the Eighth avenue
bridge, where a valve is located in a
box. 1t was here that Houston began
his investigation. He raised the cover.
when a sickening odor of gas burst on
him. This was certainly evidence
enough that there was Il dangerous
leak there. but Houston did not feel
satisfied until he lighted a match. Why
he made such a dreadful mistake, no
one, not even himself, can explain now.
However, he did. The result and con-
sequence are plain. There was an ex-
plosion. ana IL mighty ne.which caused
all the ruction heretofore described.
HouSton's escape from dangerous in
jury was marvellous 1t might be men
toned that he was acting on his own
responsibility in his endeavor to locate
the trouble
While all the houses in the neiehbor-
hood were shaken, until the windows
ratified, the meat market and dwelling
of w. Ii. Evans, at Eighth avenue and
South Main street. and the residence of
Contractor p. y. Moran, ON Eighth ave-
nue., Were agitated more than the rest.
In the Moran residence, the family felt
that the house was colmpsing.
The noise of the explosion was dis
tinctly heard in that section of the city
and caused many to believe that there
was another blow-up ut the Jermyn
powder mills.
The Carbondale Gas company has en-
deaVored to correct the trouble ever
since its presence became known over
Il week ago, by the almost Overpower-
ing smell of gas in the vicinity. The
leak is supposed to be located some
where in the main that runs under the
river at this point. The break is at
tributed 10 the action of the recent
floods, which greatly disturbed the
'lver bed, also the gas main. The depth
of the river and the presence of frost
In the ground prevents the work of re-
pair from being carried on just now.
When these conditions are removed the
company will abandon the main under
the river and will carry it overhead
Z across the stream. Permission TO do
this has already been granted by coun-
ellis.