DISASTER IN AMERICA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 664, 16 May 1929, Page 9

DISASTER IN AMERICA

Cleveland Hospital Wrecked OVER NINETY PERSONS KILLED Poison Fumes Spread to Streets A DREADFUL report of death and destruction comes from the Ohio town of Cleveland. Explosions wrecked a hospital, and almost 100 persons were killed. Fire broke out, and poisonous gas spread to the streets, so that pedestrians were overcome and fell gasping on the sidewalks. Patients lying helpless in their beds screamed as the brown fumes crept upon them. Then death came in less than a minute. Their bodies were turned yellow by the action of the chemicals. , (United P.A.—By Telegraph-—Copyright) (Australian and. N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

WTr Reed. 9 a.m. CLEVELAND (Ohio), Wednesday. Three explosions wrecked the Cleveland Clinic Hospital, after which fire broke out. First reports stated that 65 persons were known to be dead, and possibly 100 injured. Two hundred persons were believed to have been in the building when the blasts occurred. Unofficial reports declared that the explosion was caused by the X-ray machine in the basement shortly before noon. Then within 15 minutes the chemicals in the pharmacy exploded, firing the building and spreading deadly fumes. The third explosion shook the structure several minutes later, while the police and firemen within were attempting rescue work. The removal of the patients was handicapped by the intense heat. Many jumped from the windows and were injured before the rescuers arrived. Scores of physicians and all the available ambulances were rushed to the scene. The firemen found a gruesome spectacle on the second floor, namely, a pile of bodies on a landing, some dead, some injured, and all unconscious. Mixed among them were chunks of plaster and debris from the ceiling and walls. FIREMEN BRAVED DEATH Reed. 10.5 a.m. CLEVELAND, Wednesday. Latest reports state that 95 persons were killed in the Cleveland explosion, and by the poison gases that spread abroad. Pedestrians for a block around were overcome by gas, and dropped gasping to the sidewalks. The hospital was operated by a distinguished surgeon. Dr. George W. Crile, whoe is known all over the country. The firemen braved death, taking scores of patients from the wards and clinic rooms. Many were unconscious. Some were burned and others were suffering from gas poisoning. The explosion occurred among the X-ray films in the basement. The bromide compounded in the films was

released in dense brown clouds. The bromide, burning out the sensitive tissues of the mouth, nose and lungs, caused the victims to bleed profusely at the eyes, nose and mouth. The scenes were ghastly. Some patients screamed horribly as they saw the deadly gas creep upon them while they iay in their beds. The agony of those stricken by fire vied in its aspect of horror with the convulsion of the other patients, nurses and doctors, who clutched their throats gasping for breath as they suffered the torments of the poison gas. The building is a four-storey structure. The fire was put out in two hours. The damage is £IO,OOO. Dr. William E. Lower, a director of the hospital, said: “The deaths apparently are due to gas poisoning. The persons in the building collapsed and were dead in less than a minute after the gas had been inhaled. I do not know what gas it was; but from the behaviour of the victims it seems similar to phosgene gas, such as was used in the world war.” The bodies of the victims, all of whom are now removed from the wreckage, were turned yellow by the action of the chemicals. A TERRIBLE STORY Mr. F. B. Conklin, proprietor of a neighbouring dance-hall, witnessed the blasts. He was standing on his lawn when he heard a deep rumbling. “I glanced at the clinic and saw the roof lift as the explosion tore through. Instantly doors opened and nurses and patients fled, screaming about. A score of girls appeared at the first and second-storey windows and jumped to the ground. “Fire broke out immediately. Pedestrians ran and caught some of the girls as they leapt. A dozen men jumped, some of whom broke their legs and suffered other injuries. “The clinic was a scene of the utmost confusion. The screams of men and women rent the air. Firemen and policemen rushed in and carried out the bodies of the dead and injured. Some had managed to reach the doors, others never had a chance. They were helpless in their beds.” Other witnesses said they had seen nothing like it since the war.