Evening star., 1948-03-11
Gas Studied as Cause
OF Blast |njuring Six
AtPhotographySchoo|

Silver Spring detectives and fire
officials today were investigating an
explosion and fire which injured six
persons, one seriously, at the Ma
tional School of Photography, 922
Burlington avenue. Silver Spring.
Approximately IS veterans and
servicemen students were uninjured
in the blast, which occurred about
8 pm.
Chief Charles E. Deffinbaugh of
the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire
Department said he would enlist the
aid of explosion authorities from
the Johns Hopkins Institute of Ap-
piled Physics, Silver Spring, in an
effort to, determine the cause of the
blast. A tentative theory is that it
was caused by accumulated sewer
gas.
Detectives said a representative of
the Maryland State Insurance De-
partment is expected to arrive to-
day to help in the investigation.
Most seriously hurt in the explo-
s>on, which occurred in the basr-
ment developing room of the school.
was Henry Tobin, 80, of 1924 Blair
Mill road, Silver Spring. officials
at the Washington Sanitarium, Ia
koma Park, where Mr.. Tobin was
admitted, said between 20 and Is
per cent of the skin on his face
neck. leg and arms was burned. His
| fingernails also were blown off
they reported.
Injured Are Listed.
Also admitted to the sanitariun
was Kazimer Gorski, IS, of 100:
Holly street NV, an instructor al
the school. He suffered second
and third degree burns on the face,
neck and hands. His condition was
described as fair.
Others injured were:
Joseph j. Mascolo, 80, of $40
street NV: Staff Sergt. Edward M.
Bergquist, 20, stationed at Andrews
Field, both of whom suffered second
and third degree burns on the face,
arms and hands; Allen M. Edelman,
81, of 1862 Sheridan street NV,
first and second degree burns on. the
hands, and Chief Petty Officer Rob-
ert Whaley, about "a, of 604 Butter
nut street NV, burns on the face,
neck and hands.
Mr.. Mascolo and Sergt. Bergouist
were admitted to Walter Reed Hos
pital. Mr.. Edelman was treated
there and released, and Chief
Whaley was admitted to the Naval
Medical Center. Bethesda, where he
is stationed.
Blast Rocks Building.
Detectives said the explosion
rocked the three-story stone and
brick building, shattering windows
and basement partitions. Damage
was estimated at approximately
$4,000 by Ruroy Sibley, president
of the school. The fire was put out
by Silver Spring volunteer fire
men.
Detective Sergt. James Anderson
quoted Mr.. Tobin as saying he had
gone into the dark room to develop
some film and had turned on the
lights. The blast occurred about
minute later. Mr.. Tobin told the
detectives. The five other men were
in ain adjacent room, mixing chem
icals.
Sergt. Anderson expressed the be-
lief that a spark from the light
TUNED on by Mr.. Tobin ignited gas,
which apparently had leaked in
along telephone conduits. He said
the building formerly was occupied
by the Silver Spring branch of the
Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone
Co., which moved out about five years
ago.
Reports Smelling Gas.
Michael Nocciolino, 20, of 1903
Houston street, Silver Spring, who
was graduated from the school jan
uary 27, said he smelled the gas in
the basement when he visited Mr.
Gorski Tuesday night.
Il told one Of the students about
it," Mr.. Nocciolino said, but he
didn't smell anything I didn't
carry the matter any further be-
cause / knew the schol didn't use
gas of any kind
The photography school has been
in the building since May, 1946.
Mr.. Sibley said the explosion
would not interfere with operation
of the school.
To- T. n>..