New-York tribune., 1922-07-08
Emergency Exits and Use
of Fire Extinguishers
Are Big Issues in New
Probes Into Accident
Chemical Experts
Back Up Pyrene
Doctors Report Only One
Gas Poisoning Victim;
Smoke Affected Others

Several investigations were started
yesterday. the chief purpose OF WHICH
was to ascertain whether Pyrene fire
extinguishers were responsible for the
gases which filled a Lexington Avenue
subway train during the fire In the
subway Thursday. II the extinguish-
ers are found to have aggravated the
peril IL is the plan OF the investigators
to take steps TO prevent a recurrence
Of such trouble.
Il was found that experts approved
the use OF tetrachloride extinguishers
Of the Pyrene type. and held that they
offered the most effective means avail
able Of fighting electric fires. II was
admitted that such extinguishers give
OFT dangerous gases. On the other
hand, no other extinguisher will cut an
electric arc. Other developments we're:
Very few victims of Thursdays
accident who were treated in hos
pitfalls showed symptoms OF ga
poisoning. Doctors who attended the
patients taken from the burning
train say that in almost every ease
suifocatlon and not gas poisoning
was the indicated symptom.
Short circuits, such as occurred
on Thursday. are commonplace on all
electric trains. The serious nature
~ this particular accident was due
TO the Circumstance that the train
affected was not near a station and
was running on a level siXty-hye
feet below the ground.
Many Overcome at Exits
Such a condition is therefore
possibility at any time and az any
point in tho subway. Emergency
exits do not solve the problem, ex-
perts pointed out, because they in
evltably act as chimneys. An official
OF the Fire Department said yester-
day that undoubtedly many OF the
sufferers were more affected by the
fumes which choked the spaces
through which they we're forced 10
climb TO safety, than by the smoke
on the subway level.
Any such happening at point
some distance from station, and
deep underground. possibly would be
attended By even more serious re-
suits. An outbreak in one Of the
river tunnels would offer tremendous
difficulties.
Mayor Hylan has asked David Hirsh-
field, Commissioner OF Accounts. 70
conduct an inquiry independent Of the
Investigations now under way. In n
letter to John =. O'Brien. Corporation
Counsel. yesterday, the Mayor states
boldly that the accident was avoid
able Mr.. 0'Brien followed this
broadside with a call for an investiga-
tion Of everything connected with the
Interborough management. basing his
order for a probe on several allega-
tions OF proved ineiiiciency In connec-
tion with recent accidents on the In
terboroughs lines and interruptions 20
its traffic.
The Pyrene company refuses 10 make
any further statement. Interborough
officials also declined TO express their
views until their investigation is com
plete.
Four Emergency Exits at Hand
There are four emergency exits
which were available 20 the passen-
gers trapped in Thursdays FIRE, Of
ficials Of the Interborough said yes
terday. Two Of these lead to the
Fifty-ninth Street station and two 10
Sixty-second Street. The ventilation
system at this point, as elsewhere, fol-
lows the general plan used in all
underground tunnels. Open gratings on
the street level discharge air which
is displaced and pushed upward By
the movement Of the trains below.
This system Is reinforced By blowers,
which are established at intervals
throughout the system and are used
in emerge ncies. Apparently these were
not available in Thursdays FIRE. Of
feials refused TO state where the
nearest Of these emergency fans Is
located.
by short circuits, u was said at the
Interborough Office. These are OF con-
slant occurrence, and there is no known
means Of preventing them, beyond
those already in use.
The use Of tetrachloride extinguish-
ers OF the Pyrene type is supported by
the New York Board OF Fire Under
writers as the best means available for
fighting fires originating with short
circuited electric wires. The board
yesterday began an investigation Of the
accident for its own information par
tieularly with regard TO the effect
tces,inusd On sage fss7