THE ORIGIN A MYSTERY.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15657, 1 August 1916, Page 8

THE ORIGIN A MYSTERY.

NEW YORK, JuJy 30. It is"»now possible to obtain a connect-

Ed narrative of the explosion, and the consternation caused, which the broken communications at the outset precluded. Although the origin is a mystery, it is believed that the fire started in the International Storage building, and spread to a carload of dynamite, which in turn spread it to munition cars and barges, causing probably a score of separate explosions, lasting till six o'clock.,

After the first alarm all the police ■were placed on special duty, and all firemen and ambulances were called out.

The police checked the pani c among the crowds, but in the mad stampede through the streets many were trodden down. v 4

Thousands who were at supper or dancing in Broadway cabarets rushed into the streets shrieking with terror.

Many ran into subways, and as a ' result passages were jammed by people. At the first explosion the Wool worth building and other skyscrapers showed up against the sky. which was intermittently lit i:p by an awful giare. Pieces of shrapnel were picked up a mile away iil Wall street, where windows w*re wiwcked. also shop windows

in Herald square, and the adjacent section of Broadway.

The police endeavoured to guard the jeweller's windows, but there was much looting. Shells fell on Ellis Island. Beddoes Island, and Governor's Island, which form a triangle. Unopened boxes of shrapnel fell on the steps of the statue of Liberty.

There was tremendous excitement as a burning barge floated towards the statue and the adjacent shipping. The crews of "the fireboats, at great risk, pushed the barge out into midstream, where" it burned to the water's edge.

The fire raged for five hours, but has now been quelled. The authorities have directed an enquiry to be made into the cause of the fire. One report suggests that acid was used.