The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-07-28
Floors Ablaze; All
Manhattan AmbuZances at
Scene; Elevators DAMAGED
There
Within FeU
Minutes


plane, described by some witnesses
as a twin-motored bomber, of the
BIS Billy MITCHELL type, crash.
ed through the fog into an upper
floor Of the Empire State Building
today, exploded and sent flames
and glass showering over the area.
The plane struck the north or
saith st. side of the building Just
off Fifth Ave, and witnesses said
they heard three distinct explo-
sions.
Flames shot up and the spire of
the building, the worlds tallest
structure, obscured by the thick
morning fog, soon was enveloped in
vast smoky, foggy screen.
Eleven Floors Burn
Police reported IL floors above
and below the seth floor were in
flames and every ambulance unit
of Manhattan hospitals was sum-
moned. One OCCUPANT Of the build
ing said flaming gasoline and fumes
poured into the building and the
bank of elevators serving the high
est floors were knocked out of
commission. He was unable TO
say whether there were any casu-
alties.
The plane struck the building
shortly before 10 a. m, and within
few minutes Mayor LaGuardia
had arrived. Louis Peteley, a
guard stationed on the tower at the
time of the crash, said there were
a number of persons in the tower,
but added Il think l got them all
down safely"
The first two injuries reported
were those of Kay oliver, an eleva-
tor operator, and John Mate. They
were on the 10Th floor and were
reported badly burned.
James w. Irwin, management
counsultant and former managing
editor OF the Chicago Herald Ex-
aminer, who has offices on the 18th
floor OF the building, said he heard
the plane coming through the fog
and that II struck the north side
OF the building, above S4th St,
about the nth or 18th floor.
Irwin said that the hall on the
18th floor was filled with flaming
gasoline and fumes and that the
tall elevator bank in the building
was put out of commission so that
people served by that bank could
not leave.
Irwin said he could not say
whether anyone in the building was
injured, as he was in a neighbor-
ing office with the doors closed to
keep the fumes out. He said the
plane was a twin-engine machine.
Edward Hughes, of Louisville,
KY, who was at 36th st. and Fifth
Ave, said "the entire top OF the
building appeared to be in flames
Heavy smoke poured from three
and four stories at time. There
was a terrific explosion before the
fire"
Police reported that the plane
struck the seth floor Of the build
ing.
Frank A. Slovenian, Sd, who saw
the accident from the window OF his
office at 440 oath St., said smoke
was coming from the plane just be-
I fore It struck the building.
1.-THE plane crashed near the top
OF the building with a stunning
roar and Immediately exploded, g."
Slovenian said. Parts OF 1t fell
burning on an Offset.
out Of Control
1.-The plane was obviously out OF
control and flying extremely low.
AS it neared the building, the pilot
seemed to try and veer away, but IL
struck squarely. I could not tell
the type of plane and did not see
any OF the occupants"
Slovenian is an executive or
Slovenian Stores. Inc.
1t. Aubrey b. Condit, an Army
pilot who was on the 55th floor OF
500 Fifth Ave, also saw the plane
strike the building. He said it
was a BIS Billy Mitchell. which
ordinarily would have a crew OF
three.
Stan LomaX, sports announcer
fer radio station WOR, saw the
crash when his automobile stopped
for a traffic light at 37th st. ana
Fifth Ave.
He said the plane flew straight
down Fifth Ave. and into the build
ing, striking four or FIVE stories be-
low the observation tower.
Ball of Fire
There was the damndest ball OF
fire you ever saw" Lomax said. ut
was a tremendous big burst OF
flame. A wing Of the plane shot
off to the left toward Madison Ave.
The remainder OF the plane stuck
right in the building.
For almost two floors the entire
width Of the building burst into
flame. II was an inferno.