THE GREAT FIRE AT GREIS HEIM.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 5 July 1901, Page 4

THE GREAT FIRE AT GREIS HEIM.

One of the most destructive explosions on record occurred on April 25th at the Electro-Chemical Works, near Griesheiui, in Germany, where smokeless powder is manufactured. Fully 2000 persons were killed or injured. The exact number of dead may never be known, as many of the victims were blown to pieces in the explosion or cremated in the fire which followed. The disaster was caused by a small fire at three o'clock in the afternoon, which ignited several vats of picric acid. Terrific explosions followed in rapid succession, doing immense damage. The flames spread with frightful speed to the adjacent buildings and then over the River Main to Schwanheim. Then a second series of explosions took place, the fumes and masses of burning chemicals making it impossible to stay in the vicinity. Troops were immediately ordered to Greisheim to prevent the fire spreading to the large benzine reservoirs near by. Fire brigades from every place in the neighborhood hurried to the scene, bur, owing to the dangerous nature of the fire and the fear of a renewal of the explosions, the greatest difficulty was experienced in stopping the progress of the flames. Only after five hours of strenuous effort was the conflagration to some extent controlled and the danger passed, so as to make it possible to begin the work of getting out the bodies. Ihe last explosion occurred at 7 30 p.m., and when it was ascertained that no further danger was anticipated the inhabitants were' allowed to return to their homes. At 8 30 o'clock the fire was still burning in the centre, and the work of extricating the bodies from the debris was being carried on by torchlight, gaslight not being obtainable.