Factory Disaster

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1947, Page 5

Factory Disaster

IN LOS ANGELES Death Roil May Be 75 FIRE FOLLOWS EXPLOSION. (Rec. 7.35.) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20. Fire broke out, after an explosion at the O’Connor Electroplating Company’s Works, and it is feared that many of those still reported to be missing were burned to death. The Deputy Chief of Police said that thirty-six women were still unaccounted for. He added that he feared that the death list might reach seventy-five.

Twelve fire companies, in addition to all of the available ambulances, were called to the scene. Emergency hospitals were soon overtaxed, and patients diverted to other institutions. Several of those who were injured, were struck by metal helmets, which were being nickleplated in the establishment, and which, after the explosion, rained from the air.

Elevators in buildings several blocks away were jammed in their shafts by the terrific blast. A hasty check indicated about three hundred homes in the vicinity were damaged. The grimness of the scene was intensified when looters began to raid the wrecked dwellings, necessitating extra police, and also marines and soldiers being called out to patrol the area.

The firemen said that the explosion apparently occurred in a huge tank containing some chemical. The Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Prevention Bureau said that his investigations indicated that the explosion was caused by concentrated perchloric acid, which is used in the electroplating of aluminium. The acid was kept refrigerated to prevent it from exploding, but the factory had had trouble with the refrigerating plant an hour before the explosion. Mr. J.. J. O’Connor, the head of the firm, told the reporters: “We were doing something for the Government. You can see what happened.” Mr. O’Connor declined to amplify this statement, except to say that a War Department Inspector was investigating.