New Britain herald., 1925-05-06

PltsDurgh, May 6-Elght Dodle4 had been recovered early today from the ruins of three buildings in swissyale, a suburb, which were wrecked by an explosion shortly after midnight. Two other persons are missing and are believed by po- lice and fire officials to have been burned to death in the fire that fol- lowed the explosion.
 The body of one man was identi- fed but the others were burned be- yond recognition, A number Of per- sons were injured and two children taken to hospitals were believed to have been fatally hurt Several ad- joining buildings were damaged be- fore the fire was brought under con- trol.
 Says Bomb Caused Blast.
 Fire Marshal Pfarr expressed the opinion that the blast had been caused by a bomb. Eyewitnesses told police there were two eyplo- sions in quick succession in the fruit store of Thomas Pasatera, followed by a sheet of flame and the col lapse. of the walls of an adjoining building. Police were investigating a report that Pusatera had received threatening letters from Black Hand" society. They were unable to locate the man. who was reported 10 be absent from the city.
 Damage Placed At Sl00,000
 The blast shook the entire Swiss vale district, shattered windows within radius of several blocks and was heard and felt in surrounding boroughs. Joseph Snyder, fire chief. l estimated the damage at $400, 900.
 Those believed dead are Carl Baldus, hIs wife. and four persons unaccounted for The bodies of a man and a woman, burned almost beyond recognition, have been re- l covered.
 Saw Sheet of Flame
 An witness from across the street told police that about mid night he saw a sheet of flame shoot 1 from 6 store owned by Thomas | Pusatera and a moment later the { walls of an adjoining store collapse, 1 Baldus and his family lived on tho i second floor. Fire followed the ex- posion so quickly that other build ings were in flames before fremen and police arrived. Figures were seen at windows for an instant and then disappeared amid the flames and smoke. Search o' the ruins had not been completed early today.
 Dr. L, H. Smith of Williamsburg. a nearby suburb, was aroused by the blast. Jumping into an automobls he drove 10 the scene and upon sr< irving found the two children ly- irg In the street unconscious. One vas identified as Helen Baldus; the name of the other was not known, Both were taken to a hospital.
 Tony Rocco drove his autombiis close 70 one of tho burning buildings and four persons jumped 10 the top Of the car from a second story win- tow. One suffered a broken leg.
 More than dozen persons fled into the street in their night clothes witnesses said, after the explosion had wrecked the little building in which it took place. The force of the blast damaged buildings in the block.
 The last two bodies discovered burned beyond recognition, were be- Iieved to 6e those of NIT. and Mrs. Carl keglar. The other victims in- cjuded two men and their wives, a fourth woman and a child. Morgue officials reported that it wHs practically impossible 10 identi- Y ny ot the bodies. because they were so badly charrcd. Efforts were beIug made 10 identify the victims ny 'eweIry and dental work
 Marshal Pfarr. after a close in epnct!on o' the tangled mass Of de- iris said he believed the blast was caused by dynamite or nitroglycer- inc. bearing out the police theory that the explosion was the work Of "b'ackhandcrs"
 County detectives were making an rhort 10 locate Thomas Pusatera, owner of q fruit store in which the explosion occurred. It was said that . Pusatera. reported n be out of the rity ha1 received threatening let terS recently.
 TNa eigh' victims Of the explosion today at Svissvajc. wero all members o' the same family. Mir. and Mrs. jC1cment Jcrcmias were inc parents oS Mrs. Carl KoEjar and Mrs, Carl Ba'dus. all oc whom were killed to- gather with their husbands and a son of Mir and Mrs. Ga'dus. Mrs Marie EoAte. the eighth victim, w1s a sister Of Mrs JereIuias.