DISASTROUS EXPLOSION.

Temuka Leader, Volume 2, Issue 133, 29 March 1879, Page 3

DISASTROUS EXPLOSION.

The following account of a deplorable accident is reported in the s an Francisco papers:— that evor occurred in this county took place at tunnel No. 2, now being run through the Santa Cruz mountains on the line of the South Pacific Coast Kail road, four and a half miles above Alma station, or 17 miles southwest of here, about half-past nine o'clock last evening, by which one white man, M. Hvland, the foreman, and 14 Chinamen were so severely burned that it is thought eight or nine of the latter cannot survive. The particulars, as near as they can be gleaned from Dr. Potts, -who was sent for, and taken out to see the sufferers by a special train about two o'clock: this morning, are as follows: For several weeks past, owing to having struck petroleum gas oozing from fissures in the rock through which the tunnel is being run, great enre has been taken to flash or: burn this gas and carburetted-hydrogen accumulation between the blasts, which heretofore, owing to an engine being kept at work pumping in fresh air, had never accumulated to any great extent. This was done by approaching the inner end of the tunnel, when all was ready, with a lighted taper on a long pole. The gas, as soon as the light reached it, flashed off, and all was again clear, for a. time, for men to work. It is reported that the amount of gas has increased so of late that the foreman, fearing danger, quitted, and a new foreman M. 0. Hvland, who is among the injured, was substituted several days ago*. At the hour above-mentioned last niq-ht, as near as can be gleaned, the man selected approached, as usual, to touch off the accumulated gas, the others having retired some distance. It is thought that the blast just previous had opened up a tarrrcr fissure of gas than had been known, and, instead of the usual Ansa as soon as the light reached it, the most terrific explosion followed. The report was heard for miles, and a volume of flame shot through the tunnel and from its mouth to the height of 200 ft. in the air. The ten-ton engine used for supplying the tunnel with air, which stood about 50ft. from the month of the tunnel, was turned completely over, and the blacksmith-shop, distant about 70 yards from the mouth of the tunnel, was blown to pieces. A few minutes after the explosion, Hvland, the foreman, groped out of the death-hole, and was soon after followed by three or four of the Chinamen, all of them hairless and horribly burned about the heads, necks, and hands, or such portions as were not covered with clothing. A hundred or more from the Chinese camp contiguous and railroad graders were soon on the spot, and the work of getting out the. othei'S commenced. It was found that lights could not be used for any distance, and the men went in and carried the others out, groping about after them until they were found. Not knowing where they stood at the time of the explosion, it cannot he told liow far they thrown ; but they

did not show much injury from that cause. All were alive, but burned to such a decree that those who live will be frightfully marked. Several have had their eyes burned out, and all are unrecognisable, so severely are their faces crisped. They were removed to the uninviting tents, and cared for by Dr. Potts. Hyland showed the most indomitable grit while under tlie doctor's hands, and in reply to the doctor, when informed tlmt his hair was all gone, said, " Well, doctor, that will save me having to pay the barber 25 cents for shearing for some time." It is believed that many have inhaled fire, and it is probable that before this reaches your readers three or four will have passed away. It is not known what damage has been done to the tunnel, as none of those present last night would risk making an examination. It is probable that a shaft will have to be sunk to ventilate it before any great amount of drifting is done. The sufferers are penniless and -without the aid of a physician, and something should be immediately done for their relief.