A Terrible Explosion.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 203, 30 December 1893, Page 3

A Terrible Explosion.

BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM BLOWN TO PIECES. A shocking explosion occurred at a small village named Soothay, Silverdale, North Staffordshire, recently. A young man named Charles Poulton and his wife, who had only been married a few days, had just gone to reside in a small cottage, were sitting together along with an elder, brother of Poulton, who had just returned from soldiering, when a dreadful explosion took place, which blew the windows out and almost completely wrecked the house. A police-sergeant and doctor were soon at hand, and a large crowd were attracted by the violent report. As soon as the smoke and clouds of dust had cleared away it was found that the wife had been literally blown to pieces, and her charred remains were beyond recognition, while the husband also had sustained terrible injuries. Both his arms were blown off, and he was otherwise fearfully mutilated. Unlike the wife, however, who must have died instantaneously, the husband still breathed, and iv a deplorable plight he was removed to the hospital. The doctor stated that both legs must be amputated. The elder Poulton was also injured, but his wounds were very light in comparison with those of his brother. Before the elder brother was taken to .the infirmary he was questioned about the cause of the explosion. He replied that he had placed a charge of explosive gelatine in the oven boiler to obtain its proper temperature, but he had forgoW^ y^about it until the explosion ,b-#*p Jp&