A TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2180, 26 March 1891, Page 3

A TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.

At Findlay, Ohio, on the 19 th January, a terrible explosion of natural gas took place, by which the Hotel Marvin was blown up and many persons were killed and injured. About 1 o’clock in the afternoon there was a sudden shock similar to that of an earthquake. It was soon learned that the shock had been caused by an explosion ®f natural gas used at the Hotel Marvin. That building was partially wrecked, and the windows in all the houses round about were broken. Three of the inmates of the hotel are dead, two are dying, and four are so badly hurt that they are not expected to survive. The disaster was caused by two plumbers, who had been called in to repair a leaking gaspipe underneath the dining-room. They had cat a hole in the fljor, when a waitress standing by lighted a match. It lighted the gas and an explosion occurred immediately. The waitress, named Kate Walters, was instantly killed, and the two plumbers were fatally hurt. One of them has since died. Another waitress, Ella Johnston, was killed by the falling timbers, and a third waitress, Kate Rooney, was taken out fatally injured, and died on the way to the hospital. The clerk of the hotel, who was passing near for the purpose of calling the inmates to dinner, was serieusly hurt, but he will probably recover. Mr Anson Marvin, the chief propietor ©f the hotel, is now at the hospital fatally injured. Mr Andrews, bis partner, lost an eye, and it is feared he is dangerously hurt, A few moments later and there would have been 100 persons in the dining room. The Hotel Marvin was the finest in the city. The walls are cracked, and the plastering throughout came down. It will cost 35,000d0l to repair the damage done. It was only by miracle that a fire did not follow the explosion.