Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-16
Violent Thunder
 Storm in Paris
CAUSED LOSS OF LIFE AND
 ENORMOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE
CENTRAL STREET CAVED
500 Feet of Roadway Sank, Carrying With It Number of Persons Water Mains Added to Torrents From the Skies.

Paris, June 15.-A thunderstorm of phenomenal violence ragged over Paris for three hours this evening. It caused loss of life and enormous damage to property. The great volumes of rain flooded the streets and caused the bursting of sewers. In the central fashionable quarter of the city a street caved in. engulfing several pedestri- ans. Tie number of victims is not known, owing to the danger of ap- preaching the immense pits resulting from the collapse of sidewalks and roadways. The police estimate the vic tims at seven at least
 The most serious cave-in occurred at the Place Saint Philippe du Roule, at the junction of the Rue LaBoetie and the Fauoourg Saint Honore. When the storm was at its height a sharp rending sound was heard in this quar- ter and simultaneously five hundred square feet of the roadway heaved up and sank. carrying with it number of persons who had taken shelter under the anwing of a cafe. Water spurted from the broken mains, and, added to the torrents from the skies. converted the whole district into a veritable riv- CT. Gas mains, telephone wires and the electrical supply were broken off.
 Darkness Retarded Rescue Work.
 The quarter was immediately isolat ed and the prefect of the Siene with large detachments of police were has tily summoned, but for a long time nothing could be done owing to the darkness. Bremen arrived with pow erful gas lamps and with the assist anCe of fangs of laborers began the risky task of exploring the wrecked street. Meanwhile the occupants O. two large houses at the corner of tine Rue La Beetle were ordered out of the buildings. as it was feared that the foundations might be undermined.
 As soon as he was informed of the accident, President Poincaire sent a member of his military household to the scene and troops were ordered to aid the police and firemen in the ef- forts at rescue.
 Taxieab EnguIfed.
 About the same time a large section of the roadway in the Place Saint Au- gustin, where the Boulebards Male sherbes and Haussmann intersect suddenly collapsed. A passing taxicaH was enguifed. Eyewitnesses saw. a woman's hand waving from the vehicle and the head of the chauffeur as the taxicab disappeared. Almost immedi- ately a great block of stone fell upon 1t. A large wagonette just missed the same fate. the hind wheels sinking axle deep in the soil, but the occupants A cordon of police and soldiers was also established here. The flood reach ed depth of three feet and swept eVSryInlng DeIOr6 II.
 Almost at the beginning of the storm the roadway at the junction of the | Rue Tronchet. the Rue Auber and the Boulevard Haussmann, one of the busiest sections of Paris, disappeared leaving an opening thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide, into which the water from a broken main poured in a | torrent A pedestrian fell in but was ] quickly dragged to place of safety. Gas Exclusion Added to Terror. The cordon of police kept the people away from the roadway, which con- l tinued slowly to subside. Suddenly d i sheet of flame shot up to the house 1 tops with a terrific detonation Gas | from broken pipe had caught fire anC | the crowd. seized with a mad terror | sought safety in the surrounding i houses.
 A sewer burst alongside the subway in the Rue de Rivoli, putting it out ol commission. Another burst in the Rue | Boissy D'Anglas, carrying away many | feet of the pavement and flooding tho 1 new subway line under the Place Do | La Concorde.
 l The steeple of the Rumanian church i in the Rue Jean de Beauvais was se | on fire by lightning.