MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.

Dunstan Times, Issue 980, 28 January 1881, Page 3

MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSION.

A full atid calcful inquiry has hefen made by the leading officials of the Midland Railway Company into the extraordinary and mysteri us explosion which a few days ago hays the Manchester Times of November 6) occurred in a powerful engine attached to the Manchester and Liverpool express from St, Pancras, The additional facts brought to light show that the explosive substance introduced into the firebox must nave been of great strength, owing to the vh'enceof the explo imi. The engine, No. 1283, was taken to the conv-any’s engine woiks at Derby; an 1 carefully examined with 'he view of discovering the nature of the explosive substance. The driver of the train, John Ord, of Manchester, and the stoker were in Ihe front of the furnace, and when the train was running at full speed between Leicester and Derby the stoker was in the act of putting in fresh coal when a terrific explosion occurred, hurling both men back on to the coals on the tender. The burning oo ds were blown from the furnace and set both men on fire, t ie stoker being very badly burnt, while the driver Was also disabled Fortunately the driver was a'de to atop the train. Notwithstanding the most searching investigation the officials are unable to throw any light upon the mysterious occurrence, and they do not think anyone would he so daa'anlly as to introduce dynamite purposely amoilg the KfgiPe Co d. Since the explosion careful inspection has been made of the coal, but no explosives have been found. The stoker s ill lies in a very critical condition, hut the driver >a expected to resume duty-id a short time.