Emporium, Pennsylvania
Aetna Powder Company Explosion
February 7, 1916
Loss in Explosion at Emporium Will Be
$75,000.00
WORKEMEN INJURED IN BLAST
One Is Seriously Hurt be Being Struck by Flying
Timers.
Hard Fight to Check Fire
Special to Gazette and Bulletin,
EMPORIUM, Feb. 8. ---The estimated loss
in last night’s explosion and fire at the picric
acid plant of the Aetna Explosive company here
was placed at $75,000.00 today. Four huge tanks,
containing approximately $50,000 worth of acid,
were completely destroyed, as was also the
building, a two-story structure.
The fifteen men who were at work in the
building when the tanks exploded escaped their
escape being little short of miraculous. First
reports were to the effect that all had perished
and it was not until several hours after the
explosion that it was determined that none had
met death, although four were injured, the most
seriously being Harry
Marsh, who sustained a broken
shoulder and other injuries by being struck by
flying timbers.
Flames Raged for Hours
Only the heroic work of the company firemen
saved the adjoining buildings as a strong wind
made it very difficult to fight the flames,
which were not gotten under control until late
last night.
The theory that the explosion was caused by
German agents is doubted, and it is not thought
that the wrecking of the tanks was an aftermath
of the warning received by the Aetna Explosive
Company two weeks ago to the effect that the
plant would be destroyed.
The building will be rebuilt at once.
Gazette and Bulletin, Williamsport, PA 9
Feb 1916
Transcribed by
Trish. Thank you, Trish!
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