Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-01-21

London, Jan. 20,--A portion of the
area of London was shaken severely
last night when a chemical plant in
which munitions were manufactured
was the center of series of explo-
slohs, scattering destruction over
considerable section of the district in
which the works were located. There
Is no evidence that the explosion was
other than the result of fire, such
as that to which any factory is SUBJ
ject.
The central point of the Volcano
like upheaval was in the heart of the
working district of suburban town.
| Az GAS y. M, series OF explosions
/ suddenly transformed the works into
IA iery furnace and great masses of
burning liquid and timber and red
not iron were hurled high in the air.
Mingled with the deafening crash of
beams and girders were cries from the
working people. An adjoining flour
mil, in which a number of women
and girls were employed, was en-
gulfed
Series of Fires Follow.
The explosions were only the center
OF n succession of widespread series OF
fires as the masses of fire brands from
the affected quarter settled down on
surrounding areas. Added to the ter
ror of this upheaval was the sudden
darkness in which the affected quarter
was plunged
crowds of relatives and friends
swarmed into the east end district
seeking word of those within the
stricken section. At midnight while
the work of rescue was still in pro-
gress, the area continued burning, re-
flecting lurid glare over all London.
All available ambulances were reuuis-
itioned, even the London police ambu-
ances being sent to the distant scene.
school houses and police stations were
used as temporary hospitals.
Between thirty and forty bodies
have been recovered thus far and
about 100 persons are reported to
have been injured seriously.
Damage Is Widespread.
The damage extended to distant
points, and to sections where plate
glass fronts were reduced to masses
of debris, while the extent and seri-
business of the destruction increased
in the working quarters nearer the exc
plosion center. The distinct working
districts adjacent to the scene of the
main explosion suffered heavily in
leyelled houses. One of the impro-
vised hospitals was opened for the re-
cepticn of children.
The firarnar dtrantaJ tto;, ob;~e
forts to restricting the area of destruc-
ton and preventing the fire spreading
to other nearby warehouses and fac
tories This was largely successful
and comparatively little damage was
done the warehouses;
A young army officer who was
home on leave told the Associated
Press correspondent that he had been
through heavy fighting on the Somme
on the front in France, but that moth
ing he experienced there came so near
which occurred at a point less than a
mile from his home. He said:
Great Flare Lights Sky.
"A great flare in the sky lighted up
my room and as l dashed into the
street the whole sky was ablaze and
an~ explosion more powerful than any
gun fire shattered my home. Then I
set about aiding in the work of
rescue"
Those who We're permitted at the
scene of devastation soon after the ex-
plosion saw many pathetic sights. A
young man who hurried his mother
and his sister from their house when
the explosion began to shake 1t, said:
The next moment I was blown
across the room with the dressing
table. Then the ceiling came down
and in another instant the house col.
lapsed like cards and rolled into the
street where found my mother and
sister safe but terror stricken"
The ruined buildings were blazing
and confusion prevailed in that vicin-
ity two hours after the explosion. Tho