SHOCKING EXPLOSION AT SHEFFIELD.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 4, 3 November 1887, Page 2

SHOCKING EXPLOSION AT SHEFFIELD.

L'SS OP EIGHT I.IVES. A tonii.lc accident occurred at Mess'* Vickers. Sons <k Co.’a Hivor Don Works Sheliidd, ou Sopicmber Gth, resulting in the loss of ei”ht lives and injury to several woi kmen. Tho disaster occurred 'iitho stool, melting hoa.se, where u gnu jacket w.i.s being cast. The metal, weighing about 00 tons, exploded with a tremendous report, which was heard several miles away, and shattered windows at a distance of half a mile. The furnace burst in all directions, mi l most of those who were in the neighbourhood of the furnace were hilled <n- seriously injured, one of them, James Edge, being blown to the top of the bui ding, while another workman, named Holland, had the top of ids head blown off. The explosion naturally warned everyone upon tho works that soin-thing very serious had happened, and there was quickly a largo number of hands on the spot ready to assist. The scene which met their eyes was tv terrb le -me, for men were lying about in all directions. They were not slow to get to work however, and through blinding steam and dirt they carried the injured to places of safety. Four men were got out of the debris dead soon after tho accident, and a fifth corpse was e tricated several hours afterwards. Six other men were bally mutilated, and were conveyed with broken limbs to the infirmary. Three of them subsequently succumbed, un I a fourth was not expected to recover. Outside the building great excitement prevailed, the doors being besieged with women whose husbands were employed upon the works, and some very distressing sights were 'witnessed. The cause of the accident is m>t definitely known, but it is supposed that the metal came in contact with water.