davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Men in Percy Jones Hospital
Recipients of Dish Gardens

Mrs William Wilcox. cha rman
OF Ypsilanti Branch American Red
Cross Motor Corps announces that
two Of her drivers. Mrs Olga Bait
zell and Mrs Mildred Fitzgerald
have returned from an Interesting
mission 10 Percy Jones Hospital.
Battle Creek
These two women drove the sta
ton wagon that carried 2G dish
gardens 10 the wounded and bed
ridden patients \ class in Ruose-
welt High School made the gardens
under the guidance Of Dr Martha
curtis and the college sections I'm
elementary science At Roosevelt.
where Miss Gladys Boyington had
charge Of a ninth grade section in
world geography. the Junior Red
Cross boys and girls studied the
geographical environment in which
Michigan soldiers have been fight
ing BY the aid OF authentic sourc-
es, they tried 10 reconstruct accu.
OPEN EVENINGS until Easter.
Adv. 329S
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Thousands at
Floral Shows

Thousands Of lpsilanti residents
who streamed through greenhouses
here Sunday were delighted with
the beautiful displays Of spring
flowers at the annual spring open
houses. More than five thousand
people are estimated to have visit
ed the two shows, many standing
in line during the afternoon when
long isles through the masses OF
fragrant blooms we're filled with
admiring visitors.
Ben J. Sovey. proprietor of the
Ypsilanti Flower Shop and Green
houses found AT the close of the day
thar the number of visitors had
been more than double the total
for any previous year.
In the vast eNpanse Of floral lo'-
liness there was a wide variety Of
blooms TO he enjoyed. In the
house adjoining the office show
room there were hundreds Of lilies,
hydranCeas and geraniums.
In other greenhouses there were
stocks, Gala lilies. sweet peas, Gin
erarias. snap dragons, dutch Iris.
calceolaria, azaleas rose bushes.
many colored carnations and va
Iiety OF other flowers
Contrary to usual custom. the
only flower arrangement IN the
show room was a bowl Of white
stocks and carnations. practically
all attention having been given 10
pleasing array OF gorgeous plants.
which Mr.. Sovey had decided would
be OF most general interest
At the Norton and Son Green
houses there were also lines form
inging at frequent intervals dur
ing the afternoon. Special prom
ineuce was given large bird OF par
adise blooms and there were In
teresting orchids loaned for the
occasion by Mrs Gunther kessler.
Ann Arbor.
Along the entrance TO the green
houses were n variety OF artistic
arrangements. and from that point
guests leisurely wended their way
along the rows. Of snap dragons.
carnations. geraniums. lilies DAT.
fodils. tulips and other plants in
full bloom
The day was perfect and hun
drods Of residents took advantage
of the occasion for pleasant walk
TO the greenhouses OF both florists
as well as a delightful hour among
the flowers which the growers had
so artistically prepared for their
annual shows.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
New Members in
Methodist Church

During Methodist Sunday serv.
ice OF worship the follow
ing people were received into mem
bership: The pastors preparatory
class LaDonna Barnett Nancy
Burrell, Jack Bush, Mary Lou
Camp, James Kline, Wallace Wor-
den. Dora Zimmerman. and Frank
Zimmerman. Adults who we're re-
ceived were: Mrs. L. Brown. June
Conant Frederick Cook, Mr.. and
Mrs. Robert Cranson, Elizabeth
FORMER, Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Gil
lette. Mr.. and Mrs. Homer II. Click.
Bernadine. Robert and William
Click. Deon c. Greene. Mrs Frank
Hewitt. D. Ann Kip. Mrs Carl
Lambarth, Mr.. and Mrs. W Ken
reth Lindner, Mrs. Otto Matties,
Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. ID. Obermeyer
Mr. and Mrs. Lyle +. Phillips, Mr..
and Mrs. Floyd Pinnell. Mrs
Glenn Reddaway. Mr.. and Mrs.
Carl Robinett. Mr.. and Mrs Her.
man F. Wiederhoft, Dorothy \.
Williams. DR.. and Mrs. ROBBERY r.
Willoughby. and Mrs Leo Youngs.
or the adults joining 10 joined on
confession OF faith and is joined
by transfer OF letter.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Food Shortage
to be .Probed

Washington, Mar. pap Sen
ators set out today to get the cold
facts on Americas food situation.
beginning with the meat shortage.
A five-man subcommittee has
been assigned TO the investigation,
but virtually the entire Senate Ag-
riculture Committee arranged to
sit in on the opening session, TO
hear testimony from small meat
packers.
Senator Stewart ODTennD invit-
ed the packers to bring along their
Lalance sheets to prove their con
tention they can not buy and
slaughter livestock at profit I'M
der existing price ceilings.
The investigation has four prin-
cipal aims: l. To determine how
much food is on hand in the Ia
ton: .. Where it is: 8. What are
the prospects for increased pro
duction and 4. The probable de-
mand.
Chairman Thomas (D-Okla.) told
reporters the inquiry is almost GER
tain to lead into an investigation OF
black markets.
Stewart said he is determined 20
find out how big a food stockpile
Great Britain has and the amounts
set aside for lend-lease and UNRRA
operations.
Members of the subcommittee
with Thomas and Stewart are Sen
ators Wheeler (D-MontD Aiken
CR-Nt.) and Bushfield (R-SD).
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Red Cross Drive Goes OUer Top

fPsiiaHH,s goal OF S21.j0O was
passed this morning in the Red
Cross drive when totals in the o.
flee passed that mark and threat.
ened to reach $4,000. Reports are
incomplete from the theaters and
will be announced later. Employees
at United Stove Co. turned in
S36150. Central Specially employees
added $500 and miscellaneous re
ports brought the figure to approx
imately $4,000.
Naturally, We are all elated, ~
said City Chairman S. +. Eager
strom. Everyone in the city seems
TO have contributed. This is well
over one dollar per capita for Ypsi-
lant and our immediate terri
tory. We feel confident that re.
ports will continue to come in for
a week" Laurence NJ. Thomas,
chairman OF the Ypsilanti branch.
FASTENED to notify Ray Bonini,
Washtenaw County chairman, and
received his enthusiastic consratu-
lations.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
.Japs Claiming
Landings on
Ryukyu
tBy Associated Pressl

Unconfrmed Japanese broad
casts reported today American
amphibious forces were Attempt
ing to invade two OF the kyukyu
islands, in the center OF an area
OF announced air and naval attacks
that knocked out % japanese ships
and crippled war industries in ia
pan and Formosa.
The Japanese invasion report
said sea-borne Nanks struck al
Toka and Aka Islands about 10
miles west Of Okinawa. ma or
island Of the Ryukyu chain.
japanese propagandists said the
islands were being attacked as
springboards for an assault on ia.
pal proper, about $50 miles TO the
northeast II true, the action rep
resents a departure from the recent
practice OF heavy and lengthy pre-
invasion bombardments.
Adm Chester W. Ntmitz an.
nounced the Ryukyus were shelled
by the l6-inch guns OF America S
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Drake, Burns Will
Direct Scout Camp

Clarence Mum, chairman OF the
Camp committee OF the Washte.
naw-Livingston Boy Scout Council.
announced today that Donald
Drake. swimming coach at Ann Ar.
Dor High School. will again be d.
rector OF the Camp Newkirk sum.
mer camp and Donal Burns. assist.
ant Scout Executive will serve as
assistant director. other members
OF The staff have not yet been an
nounced.
Camp will open on June Il and
continue for three periods OF two
weeks each. although a Scout may
attend for as short a time as a
single week IL he chooses.
A high spot OF the opening week
OF camp will be the Scout Circus
to be held on Saturday afternoon.
June %. in charge OF J. Robert
Cameron.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Would be Choker
Identified, Fined,
Ordered to Leave

Windfred J. Thompson identified
as the man who tried to choke
newsboys March II. was brought
into court today where he paid a
$50 fine, and was given a so day
sentence, suspended OH condition
he leaves the county for at least
two years.
Although he claims he could
not remember if he had chased the
newsboys. three of the boys who
witnessed the attempt, positively
identified him as the man. He told
police that he had a temper which
frequently got out OF hand when he
drank. He admitted that he had
been drinking the night in ques-
ton.
According TO the boys. he had
tried to choke them and when they
broke away from him, he pursued
them through an alley which runs
west of n. Washington st. They
were successful in GLIDING him.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

rate scenes I'm which the armed
forces have visited The college
students we're called upon 10 aid
with the scientific angle OF the con-
struotion and the choice Of plants.
Emit Barr and Larry Elliott. t~e
Junior Red Cross boys were chosen
10 90 10 Battle Greek in order TO
re.assemble the materials and make
personal presentation in the
name Of their class. Miss Evelyn
Kachaturoff was the college stu.
dent selected 10 accompany the
gardens and supervise the proner
scientific arrangement during the
re-assembly While the young
people did their work with these
Junior Red Cross gifts to Percy
Jones Hospital. Mesdames Baltzell
and Fitzgerald spent a very pleas
ant time calling upon Sgt. Donald
Bennett. an Ypsilanti boy who Is
patient in a seven-bed ward at
the hospital
IIants, Z ". Michigan. Phone IA.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

Lansing Mar. 26-AP-The pro
gress the house and senate make
this week in handling big calendars
of work will establish whether they
can complete their work in time
for final adjournment of the 1885
legislative session before May !.
The senate has its eyes on ad-
journment about April 90 il its
orators will lean more toward work
than toward words. Some optim-
lists in the house keep reiterating
that adjournment on the 18th of
the month still is possible, despite
the setback suffered when the sem
ate finance committee took out a
week to go travelling on inspection
trips. But mostly. they have their
eyes on May /, with farmer men,
bers declaring this date must not
find them SIN away from home,
but willing TO remain in session
until then If necessary,
Lands which have come into
state ownership through confsca-
ton for non-payment Of real estate
taxes have provided much fuel for
discord in the house.
A pending bill in that chamber.
kicked around for a week without
decisive action, would provide for
the sale of tax-seized properties
to war veterans for 10 per cent of
assessed valuation. Its foes con
tend this is a poor break for the
veteran, because If the lands were
desirable, most of them would not
have reverted for tax delinquency.
On the other side OF this picture.
resolution in committee would
freeze sale of all tax delinquent
properties for two years. until a
larger percentage Of veterans are
back to take their pick in the
sales.
In addition, Rep. Thurber Cor
nell. Howell Republican. has put in
a bill to require the state to pay
average taxes on all lands coming
into its possession.
The senate is saving most OF its
important work for later this week.
but the house scheduled for a vote
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Probe Sought
in Hospitals

Washington. Mar. 26-AP-Com-
plants that wounded war veterans
are being greeted with cruelty
and neglect in government hos.
pitfalls headed to the House floor
today with a demand for a full
scale investigation
Rep. Philbin (D-Msss.) said he
would renew in the House his com
tee-sidetracked resolution TO
investigate alleged intolerable con
ditions' in the care Of returning
seryicemen.
The rules committee put his
broad resolution aside and recon-
mended, instead. legislation by
Chairman Rankin (D-MissJ Of the
veterans committee authorizing a
study of facilities within the vet
Grams administration.
Rankin said he will seek its
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
House Will
Vote on New
Labor Bill

Washington. Mar. 26-AP Com
promise manpowcr legislation,
viewed In some quarters ms n po-
tent antistrikc measure aimed AZ
400 600 soft coal miners. ch1ugod
the vacation plans of many House
members today.
They were summoned back 10
the capital N begin considering
tomorrow the product OF more than
two months of congressional give.
and-talie, 10 which this preamble
was added:
every individual not IN the
armed forces shall have an obliga-
ton, when called upon. 10 serve the
nation in an activity essential TO
the war effort"
One member OF the Senate-iiOuse
conference committee which draft
ed the compromise said the ~ cam
Bile was written into the bill as 4
direct result OF the stalematod soft
coal contract negotiations. \ min
ors' strike vote has been set for
Wednesday. The present work
contract expires Saturday night.
Az now drawn TO adjust sharp
differences between the two cham
bers. the manpower bill gives War
Mobiizcr James f. Byrnes power
to: !. Fix employment ceilings for
any plant or industry, ,. control the
hiring and job transferring Of work.
ers. 2. freeze employees in their
Jobs. and I. call upon any other
government agency TO help him
operate the program
Employers and employees yiolat.
ing Ryrnes' orders would face pen
alties up 10 one year in jail and
a fine Of 10000 Unlike the orig
inal House bill. the legislation con
tains no provision for induction OF
draft age men who leave their jobs
or refuse to accept work in viola
ton OF draft board orders But un-
like the original Senate measure
Geo CnNCRECG pagp
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Yanks Lllnse Across
Main. Troops Within
23.5 Miles Of Berlin
War In Brief

ttN Associated PycsD
Western Front: Three break
through drives from Rhine bridge.
heads slice through German defen.
SEES tanks take Main River bridge
al Aschalfenhurg 23S miles south.
west Of BERLIN
Russian Front. Two Russian
Army groups battle through west.
crn Hungary nearing Austria, Ger
mans report new offensive in Slo.
Nakia, heavy fighting east of Ber-
lin.
Italian Front. sharp patrol ac-
tons.
Pacific Front: Tokyo reports
Americans attempting invasion Of
Okinawa group in 'Ryukyu Island
chain 32j miles south of Japanese
homeland; l. S. bombers wrecked
big Formosa hydroelectric plant.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
B. of c. Presents
Roses For Soldier

Just one OF the many services
OF the Board OF Commerce was
the explanation Paul Ungrodt gave
for his trip to the State Hospital
10 deliver birthday greetings to a
student nurse there.
A service man, Patrick NJ. Elan.
ner Cox. in the Mariannas wrote
the board asking them to take the
SIS which he enclosed. buy flowers
for the nurse and deliver them to
her on her birthday. March 25.
Mr.. Ungrod. notified the boy that
the matter would be taken care Of
and today carried out the mission.
Miss Irene Castle, received the
two dozen deep red roses with
thanks. but expressed surprise that
the service man remembered her.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
U. S. WEATHER FORECAST

Lower Michigan: Partly cloudy
tonight and Tuesday. Cooler to.
night
Highest temperature yesterday.
rs. lowest 43.
Highest temperature one year
sgo today, IS; lowest. 90.
Highest temperature this date in
last 70 years, "a in 1905; lowest
II in 1887.
The sun sets today at 80 p. m
and rises Tuesday at 1925 a. m.
The moon rises today at $50 p.
m. and sets Tuesday at 7:20 a. m.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Clothing Must be
Sorted For Drive

we realize that considerable
sorting of clothing will be neces-
sary before people will part with
used clothing" said Miss Eliza
beth Warren. discussing the United
National Collection in April. 1T is
increasingly difficult TO get cotton
goods and underclothing. However.
we do believe that many garments
have been outgrown and are rest
ing in dresser drawers or attics. II
women will take a little time for
sorting we feel confident thai
Ypsilanti people can provide large
quantities of clothing
what is needed is good suhsian.
tial clothing for summer as we'll as
winter wear. according to Miss
Warren. Although clothing need
not be in perfect repair. it should
be useful to the people who receive
It. Goats, suits. jackets. knitted
goods and underclothing-all Of
these are urgently needed. Shoes
should be seryiceable. not fancy
dress shoes with high heels. Shoes
should be carefully mated and tied
The week OF April 5 to 10 has
been designated as Collection Week
in all schools and churches. School
children will assist in this work.
Cooperation OF all social and re-
ligious groups is urgently requested
by the committee in charge. We
know OF no better way TO express
the Easter message said Rev.
Gordon Speer, chairman Of the
committee on church cooperation,
than TO Fundamentally assist in
this unselfish effort. Each wom-
ems society should devise its own
means OF accommodating the cloth
ing in the churches. Fol
lowing April 10 the work OF COZ
lecting and sorting will be organ
lied to properly prepare the cloth
ing for shipment. Cotton clothing,
such as uDdergarments should be
washed but need not be ironed.
WOODEN clothing should be careful
ly brushed but dry-cleaning is mo-
necessary.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Men Cross Rhine in
Michigan Made Boats

Washington. Mar. 26-CP-U. s.
troops are crossing the Rhine m
boats made in Michigan less than
month ago. the war Department
disclosed last night.
The Foster Boat Co. Chsrleyoix.
Mich. was one Of four boat com
panies when turned out the smaller
craft under rush conditions.
Some OF the boats we're even
flown to Europe, the War Depart
ment said
Boats we're also manufactured
Minnesota and Florida firms.
The plywood came from Washing
ton and Oregon.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Anger Greets
N. Y. Curfew

New York, Mar. % ms Army
ami Navy men who visited the Gay
White Way over the week end grip
ed loudly today at being barred az
ter midnight from bar-rquipped cat
ing places where civilians were be
ing served food.
Angry doughbOys. sailors and ma.
rines milled about the entrances to
several Broadway restaurants after
being shooed out onto the side.
walks by military and naval police
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26


| $ Third Army tanks wheeled
across the Main river 23J miles
southwest OF Perrin today IN
swift mnGe through disorganize1
German d,fonscs. and three other
Allied armies sla she'd from 20 TO
u miles or more beyond tho Rhine
In brcakthrough drives
The fourth armorrd division Of
It. Gen George s Patton's third
Army dashed 10 miles from the
Rhine and seized the Main River
bridge ut tFChHtfrUbUrE, a55 mites
from Berlin ana within $50 miles
Of Russians fighting southeast o.
the Na2i capital ratton's men
reached the Main al two othc"
points, forged new crossings OF
the Rhine. mud struck To Within
s,N miles of outilanked Frankfurt
onthc Main There were stock.
holm reports that American troops
had entered Frankfurt
Northwcstward. the T. 8 First
Army tore - miles forward from
us Rcmagon bridGohcad IN break
through which front dispatches
termed reminiscent Of the St 10
drive in Normandy.
Advance 10 Miles
On the northern flank. the I. :
Ninth Army surgcd at least 10
miles past the Rhine and was be-
/ yond nuisbcrg In the SCARED RUIN.
/ The British Second Army Knocked
! 10 miles past It's Rhine crosslngs
hoped the Issel river. and battled
onto the Wcstphalian plain on the
northern approach to Berlin.
Two huge Russian Army groups
the Second and Third Ukainian
were fighting through western
Hungary on 90-mile front only SO
miles from the Austrian border and
"a from Vienna They gained up
. 10 16 miles Sunday In the drive
/ along the Danube. Rcd Army
f troops were within six miles Of ko-
marom on the Danube. had out
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Congress Today

tg- Associated preSsl
tBy Associated Press)
Senate
Considers Mexican water treaty
(noon).
Agriculture Committee begins in
Quiry into food supplies u0D.
House
Considers proposal for investisa-
ton Of treatment OF veterans
tnoOn).
Supreme Court
Conyenes at noon for opinion day
session. .
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
AUCTION CALENDAR

THURSDAY. MARCH % - 100
sharp, EWT. at the c. 3. Sander.
son farm. 225o N. Prospect Road.
just north OF blinker on Geddes
and Prospect, first farm on East
Side. A. N. Chambers. Proprie.
tor; Earl Wright, Auetioneer; o.
e. Vedder, Clerk Adv. 32s
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
State Legislators Hope to
Complete Work by May LIST

tonight a joint resolution propos'
ing a constitutional amendment to
bar from public office forever any
person convicted OF, pleading guilty
to, or confessing under grant of
immunity that he participated in
any governmental graft, conspiracy
or other felony.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Aschaffenburg
Bridge Taken
by Patton

London. Mar. 26-lNS-The Lon.
don Evening News reported today
that Adolf Hitler had called a meet
ing OF all OF his ministers and
aauleiters at BerehteSosden tonight
as Allied advances along the
crumblina western front have
spread growing alarm throughout
official Germany
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

LONDON-AP-The condition Of
David Lloyd George, who has been
ill for some weeks at his home in
North Wales, is becoming critic
al" bulletin from his bedside said
roday, THE physical weakness of
Earl Lloyd George OF Dwyfor has
Increased considerably during the
last % hours and his condition is
now becoming critical the bulle-
tin declared
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26
Flashes of
Late News

RICHMOND, CaIif.-AP-.An est
mated 900 ALL shipwrights remain
ed on the job at Kaiser Co. ship
yard No. today in protest against
the ALLEGATION of some types OF
their work to the RFL boilermak-
ers. because OF the switchoyer to
ship repair
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

lONDON-AP- A German
underground report today said
Field Marshal Walther Won
Model, commander OF the north
ern group of armies on the
western front, had been wound
ed by bomb. The report said
Won Models injury necessitsted
the quick switch Of Field Mar
shall Albert kesselring from
Italy TO take charge OF the .
western front when Won Rund-
stedt was removed.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

OPEN Thurs. Fri. * Sat. until
900 p. m. Dixie shops, 125 W.
Michigan. Adv. 326
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

HOLLY WOOD - AP - Clark
Gable, slightly hurt in a traffic
accident, required hospital treat
ment of a laceration on the right
leg and chest injuries, his studio
reported. The studio said the
movie actor drove his automobile
over a curb and into a tree to avoid
striking another machine going in
! the wrong direction. Gable was
Manned against the steering wheel.
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

HOLLYWOOD-AP- The leader
OF the movie studio strike claimed
today that the battle is 80 per
cent won" Herbert X. Sorrell
president OF the conference of Stu
do Unions. which called the strike.
Z likewise told a mass meeting Of
5000 strikers last night. that we're
going to stand fast and get an un.
conditional surrender rather than
a negotiated peace"
The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-03-26

WASHINGTON-AP- The Ma
tional Lawyers Guild told Congress
today that accepted legal practices
are adequate" for punishment of
, war criminals land resolute action
therefore need not be delayed. ="
Martin Pepper, executive secretary
of the guild, made the assertion in
testimony prepared for the House
Foreign Affairs Committee which
is inquiring into war guilt policies.
f. STOCKHOLM-AP- Allied air.
>craft attacked a southbound Ger
man convoy in the Skaggerak off
Swedens western coast Sunday
night. Swedish press dispatches
said today. Coastal observers
were quoted as saying they saw
one big explosion and a huge burst
of fire.