Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-05
GAS main LEAK
KILLS SIX, WITH
Others IN RUNS
Philadelphia is scane of a Ter
rifle Explosion
IN. HEART OF THE CITY
IN HEART OF THE CITY
accident Occurred at an Early Hour,
Prec:rding Greater Fatality.
CARELE:sNE WAS THE CAUSE
Pipe Was Repaired Only Last Night
1mproperly-Property Damage
Was Great-Eouses Shaken.

A leak in the city gas main that
was carelessly repaired cost six
men their lives in Philadelphia this
morning, and it is believed that
others are in the debris. The ex-
plosion occurred at 9th and Market
streets at an hour when there was
but little traffic, or the death list
would have almost assuredly been
greater. Many thousands of dol
lars worth of property was de-
stroyed. Firemen put out the
flames with dirt, water being use
less.
PHILADELPHIA, October 5.-A terrific
explosion of Illuminating gas in the subway
of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Com
pany. under construction, at 9th and Mar
ket streets today resulted in the death Of
six men, the injurng of about dozen
others, and caused property damage that
will run into thousands of dollars. Be-
sides the six men that are known to be
dead, 1t Is said that at least three others
wrecked subway. Extraordinary efforts
are being made to clear the excavation, but
it will be late In the day before this can
be accomplished.
The Dead and Injured.
Up to this afternoon only three Of the six
known dead had been identified. They are:
John Lawless, foreman for the Mil.ard
Construction Company.
Frank Leans, an employe Of the United
Gas Improvement Company, who was to as
sist in repairing the leaking gas main.
Fl. Capero, timberman.
OF those injured the most serious is Miss
Mary Crow. who was struck y a plank
wii,iii;e riding in street car tina, had passed
the subway moment before the explosion.
She is in a critical condition.
The explosion occurred shortly before
o'clock, and in consequence of the early
hour but a few workmen had gathered.
The explosion was caused by a leak In a
city gas main that had been improperly re-
paired last night. The escaping gas formed
in a pocket In the subway and 1t Is be-
lieved that workman carrying a lamp
into the great hole ignited the gas. The
corner of 9th and Market streets is one Of
the business sections Of the city, but there
was fortunately little traffic there when
the explosion occurred. About a dozen
workmen were gathered near a large der
rick and about five men are believed to
have been in the subway.
Subway Partly Wrecked.
The force of the explosion wrecked the
subway for half block, and all the heavy
timbering and other structural work, in
Guiding tons of earth, fell into the ex-
cavation. A heavy rain during the night
had slightly weakened the walls of the
excavation and added to the damage.
Just as the gas blew up double-team
dirt cart was being driven directly across
the covered subway by driver Of the
Willard Construction Company, which is
building the subway. The vehicle, horses
and man were blown high in the air and
the horses and cart fell into the hole. The
driver landed in the street, and was only
slightly hurt. Several of the workmen
who were standing near the derrick were
blown across the street, and either killed
or injured, and number OF pedestrians
were hurt by falling glass and signs from
the tall business. houses on both sides Of
Market and 9Th streets.
Feared Further Explosions.
Those portions of the subway that were
not covered with dirt burst into flames,
and for a time no person dared venture
near the place for fear Of further explo-
sions. Firemen were quickly on the spot,
but water was Of little use, owing to the
fact that the Names were shooting from
dozens of gas pipes and a large gas main.
Dirt was then resorted to. and in the
course Of a couple of hours all the flames
had been extinguished except those from
the large main. This was not put out until
nearly 10 o'clock, and only after a hole had
been dug In the street near the subway and
the main plugged up.
Great Damage Done.
Az soon as the fire had been extinguished
and all danger Of further explosion had
passed hundreds Of men were put to work
clearing out the wrecked subway.
While the damage done to the subway, to
the city's gas and water mains and the
electric light and telephone conduits is con-
siderable, 1t Will not compare with the de-
struction wrought to surrounding property
From 9th street to 7th street on Market
street, and for half square on 9Th street
both north and south of Market street not
q whole pane of glass is left. The large
plate-glass windows were broken, and
thousands Of dollars worth Of goods In the
show windows were damaged. Dozens of
signs were torn from the roofs and walls
Of buildings. and 1t Is considered remark
able that not more persons were killed.
The vicinity of thu explosion Is roped of