Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-08

been accounted for he sent for men and
teams and started the work of removing
the debris IN order that there should be no
delay IN the work of getting the plant in
shape again in a short time
The falling of the bricks and timbers was
followed by a bright blaze. This was
caused by the burning of escaping gas and
WIS eNtinsuished In a short time after the
arrival OF the fire department, which was
summoned to the works soon after the
explosion.
H. C. Grady, ffty-eight years old. en-
ployed as night watchman; Thomas
Woods, night engineer. and John Deming,
the oiler, were the men who were in the
building when the explosion occurred.
Woods was blown through an opening in
the building and landed upon the dirt
roadway on n street, but received no in
jury. He got up. covered with dirt, and
hurried back toward the building to see If
he could be of assistance to the other men
who were in there. By the time he reach
ed the demolished structure other men
from the different parts of the plant were
upon the scene ready to render assist
ance. The blaze that followed caused
them to fear that Deming and Grady would
be cremated If they had not already es-
capped from the building. Woods and the
others were willing to risk their own lives,
however In order to find Ginning, and
the men We're soon brought out of the
building.
Engineer Was Stunned.
Deming was in the cellar getting can of
Ii when the crash came and fortunately
n opening to the ground floor had not
Nm obstructed by the mass of debris. He
Managed to get out without being assist
D. but Grady was found seated on a
lair in the engine room. The shock had
A.en so great that he was stunned and un-
BILE TO walk. Workmen removed him
Eom the building and he was sent to the
hospital The debris was piled about the
chair upon which Grady was seated, but
his only injury was cut on his neck.
Deming received a slight cut on his face.
Woods and Deming returned TO the plant
later fin tine morning and watched the
progress made by the workmen. Grady
remained at the Casualty Hospital after
his wounds had been dressed, but the sur
geons assured his friends that he had re-
ceiyed no severe INJURY
Officials of the Washington Gas Light
Company expressed themselves as being
Greatly relieved when they learned that
loss of life had cot attended the acci-
dent They were also glad that the
amount OF damage was not greater, as
they realized how serious 1t might have
been because of the amount of gas In the
tanks and the quantity OF infiammaole ma
terial that was in the purifying puiIdihs
This latter building escaped oa'pase'
Will Not Affect Consumer.
The exulosion and damage caused to ths
nlant will throw more work on the pian
~ oc-b and q streets but will not interfere
with the gas service TO consumers 1t Ia
said that the Southeast Washington plant is
one OF the most modern plants or its klnc
In the United States and that 1t was be-
cause of the solidity of the demolished
structure that more damage was not done
The walls had thickness of 2215 inches &c
the top of the first story and II inches from
there to the top OF the building. On the
outer edge of the north wall were heavy
steel pipes, and they prevented the falling
of that part of the structure. The machin
cry was saved from serious damage by the
walls falling outward.
Assistant Engineer Burns of No. Is engin,
company was On watch this morning anC
he saw the bright light made by the blaz,
that followed the explosion. Other mem
hers OF the company heard the noise caused
by the explosion, but thought II was mad
by q train passing through the tunnel. Al
eoon as the assistant engineer saw III,
night he aroused the members of the com
pany and Capt. Mclean started them ou
before an alarm was turned in. 1t hap
pened ,tat one member OF the company hat
been employed at the plant and realizes
what Il would mean II the blaze reaches
he purifying building.
'.It viii meak that the navy yard will b.
blown away" he reuar ked.
Capt. Mclean then had hs men direc
their attention to the work OF protecting tn
building mentioned, as he did not want
second and more serious explosion to occur
blaze was extinguished and there was n