Evening star., 1940-02-19
Woman Killed,
Is Hurt as Blast.
Home
II Of Victims Injured
As They Go to House
After Asphyxiotion
Pictures on Page Az

One woman was killed and 10
other persons were injured
when. gas seeped through a
defect in the meter line and then
exploded with terrific blast which
demolished a two-story frame home
at Savage, Md, near Laurel, early
today.
Eleven of the injured included
friends and relatives who had gone
to the house on learning of the as
phyxiation
The dead woman is Mrs. Thomas
Ridgeway. a 69-year- -old widow.
Her daughters, Miss Catherine
Ridgeway, 26. and Mrs. Helen Linder,
80, were overcome by the leaking
gas and were taken to St. Agnes
Hospital, Baltimore. Their con-
dition was reported this afternoon
as favorable.
Women Asleep at Time.
The three women were asleep in
Mrs. Ridgeway's home when gas be-
gan to leak in the basement. Mrs.
Ridgeway died without awakening.
Most of the II injured persons were
hurled from their feet when the
gas exploded in the basement, while
M SIS Ridgeway and Mrs. Linder were
being treated by a neighboring ply
sician on the first floor.
Several were thrown through
doors of the structure by the blast
which was followed by Are which
almost destroyed the small frame
building.
None Of the II was believed seri-
ously injured. They were:
DR.. Frank Shipley Of Savage, who
was attending Mrs. Lfnder and Miss
Ridgeway He was cut and bruised.
Richard E. Linder, A, husband of
Mrs. Linder Cuts.
Charles Lecallett. IS, of Baltimore,
an employe of the Consolidated Gas
q Electric Co., who had gone into
the cellar to effect repairs when the
blast occurred. He suffered first and
second degree burns of the hands
and face.
Arthur Sweeney, Al, of Baltimore
also an employe Of the gas company
He also was in the cellar and re-
ceived first and second degree burns
Of the head and face.
State Policeman w. M. Boiler
Minor leg injury.
Mr.. and Mrs. Monroe Collisen of
Savage, the former 40 years old
the latter 80, son-in- law and daugh-
ter Of Mrs. Ridgeway. They suf-
fered shock.
Mrs. Efile Hackley, ~, OF Savage,
Mrs. Ridgeway's daughter. Shock
and minor leg injury.
Louis Hackley, 20, her son. Shock.
Herbert Ridgeway, 50, , son OF
the dead woman. Shock.
Mrs. Emory Swami. sister of DR..
Shipley. Shock.
Believed Ignited by Furnace.
Savage firemen, who helped treat
the injured, believe furnace may
have ignited the leaking gas. The
explosion occurred shortly before
3 O'Clock.
Mr.. Linder said the leak was dis
covered at the point where the gas
line and meter connect.
Mrs. Linder was awakened by the
odor of escaping gas about O'Clock
and telephoned for DIR. Shipley after
trying unsuccessfully to arouse her
mother and sister.
She then put in a call for her hus-
band, proprietor of the Stockholm
a tavern on the Washington -Balti-
more boulevard, but, overcome by
the gas, fell to the floor in a coma
before. completing it.
DR.. Shipley hurried 70 the house
broke in the door and found Mrs
Ridgeway dead and Mrs. Linder
and Miss Ridgeway overcome
They were all in rooms on the first
floor.
The Savage and Glen Burnie
rescue squads were called for pull
motors to be used in reviving Mrs
Linder and Miss Ridgeway and the
Consolidated Gas & Electric Co. in
Baltimore was asked to send re-
pairmen to fix the leaking gas line
Repairmen Arrive.
DR.. Shipley and firemen were en-.
deavoring to revive the two un-
conscious women when the repair.
men arrived from Baltimore.
The repairmen went Immediately
to the basement, Mr.. Linder said
and opened door leading into the
room where the gas meter was To-
Gated.
As soon as they opened the door
Mr.. Linder said. the gas exploded
with terrific blast which split the
house in half. Several of those or
the first floor were hurled through
the doors of the building, others
were thrown from their feet, and
one Of the repairmen was blown
through a trapdoor leading onto the
side lawn;
The wreckage of the house left
standing burst into flames and fire.
men poured water onto the blaze
for several Hours before extinguish-
ing it.
Blown Through Glass Door.
Mr.. Linder was blown through q
glass door and q screen at the
front Of the house. He was badly
cut. DR.. Shipley was hurled through
the aperture behind Mr.. Linder
He returned to the house to direct
first-aid work.
Mr.. Ridgeway and Mrs. Swami
were blown through a back door
and the Collisens and Mrs. Hackley
were thrown to the floor and hel
son hurled against the wall.
Mr.. Collisen and Mr.. Hackley tool
Mrs. Linder and Miss Ridgeway
from the burning building after the
explosion. Rescue workers took them
to st. Agnes Hospital In Baltimore
Mr.. Lecallett and Mr.. Sweeney
the repairmen, were removed te
University Hospital, Baltimore
Others who were injured were river