The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-03
TERRIFIC EXPLOSION
IN CLEVELAND FACTORY
Thor Building Blown Into
Kindling Wood.
MANY KILLED AND INJURED
Pedestrians Knocked Flat in Street
and Houses Torn Apart-Hos- .
pitfalls Filled.

CLEVELAND. Ohio. May "A terrific
explosion blew the factory OF the Thor
Manufacturing Company, 647 orange
Street, into kndling wood, wiped out
a dozen houses in the vicinity, and IN
jured score of people at 12:15 p. m.
TODAY.
Fire was discovered in the factory
building at the noon hour. Instantly the
alarm was given to the employees IN the
building to get out of harms way, be-
cause the explosive stores were IN
proximity to the blaze. Pellmeu the
men rushed from the building, but
they had hardly gained the street before
there was a flash of light, an awful roar,
and in spectacular cloud of black
capped smoke the building shot into the
air. Men we're knocked fiat down in the
street by the terrific rush of air. Ad-
joining houses were torn from their
foundations and crushed as If IN the
grasp OF mighty hand
Ruin Everywhere.
Buildings were torn apart, structures
reeled and staggered on their founda-
lions. Some disappeared, others fell in
to ruins, while still others were left
lettering on their foundations. No one
seemed to realize just what had hap
pened. but the ambulance men and doc
tors had work enough ahead of them
It was reported that three dead had been
taken from the ruins of the house ad-
joining the factory site.
The proprietor's son was found with
his arm blown off. Mrs. Mary Easter
brook. aged fifty. was knocked fiat il
her home, 1872 Woodland Avenue. She
was taken out bleeding from bad cuts
The Easterbrook family was just sitting
down 10 the luncheon at noon. Lulu Hlnd
aged twenty, stepdaughter, was
thrown to the floor with terrific force
by the conclusion. She was removed
to the Cleveland General Hospital, anc
is so seriously injured that ii is feared
that she will die The house was de-
mol:shcd.
Work of Relief.
Doctors, ambulancemen, firemen, po-
lice and fremen hurried to and frc
among the thousands who crowded the
streets trying to organize systena-
tie work of relief. Twelve injured per
sons were removed from the neighbor-
hood to the Cleveland General Hospi-
tay in ambulance. Two were women
who were in a nearby house at the time
OF the explosion. Their house was wreck
ed and they were taken cut.of the debris
in an unconscious condition Both were
cut about their heads.
Two children were found in a house
close by, unconscious and We're taker
to the hospital. The windows and door:
of the structure had been blown OF
Two boys, aged eight and nine years
were taken to the same hospital. One
OF the injured little fellows recovered
his senses for moment.
II see the flames" he screamed, am
again lapsed into Inconsistencies.
One dead woman was taken to thu
county morgue in an ambulance. Mrs
Cohen d.ed in the ambulance on the
threshold OF the hospital.
The injured: Mrs J. P, Miller, Fan
ME Peipsic, two unknown women, I'M
known man, two boys, eight or nirC
years of age, and two small children
all unconscious, stunned by the eXplo-
sion.
At Charity Hospital: Mrs Anna
Stone and TWO children, Mrs a. W
Horwitz. OF Orange; William Cole, sol
OF the proprietor of the factory, lef
arm blown OF: unknown boy. aged ten
unknown man, aged twenty five. Boil
or the latter Will die.