Cocoa Mill Explosion

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1948, Page 5

Cocoa Mill Explosion

LONDON, Mon. (11 a.m.).—Five persons were killed ana seven, including one girl, are missing, following three explosions at the British Cocoa Mills in Hull.

About 20 persons ran from the shattered and blazing building with their clothes aflame. Cars and lorries assisted ambulances to take eight men and five girls to hospital, where they are reported to be in a serious condition.

As firemen fought to subdue the flames which • engulfed sections of the building, rescue workers were, trying to force their way in to the trapped persons, whose cries could be heard. Little hope is held for their rescue. Thick smoke rose 1000 ft and explosions shattered windows half a mile away.

Several workers jumped into the harbour to extinguish their burning clothes. TRAPPED FOR HOURS After being tapped for four hours in the upper floor office of the burning Cocoa Mills building, a 20-year-old cashier was rescued tonight. Thirty-five were injured, of whom 20 were admitted to hospital. The cashier was heard crying for help, and the chief fire officer and a police surgeon climbed up a turntable extension ladder to the office window. They called for a special type ot stretcher used on ships. The cashier was found still conscious trapped but unable to move between the filing cabinet and a mass of debris She was suffering from burns and shock and her clothing was saturated with water. ‘’iDELICATE JOB” “It was a delicate job to get to her,” said the chief .fire officer.' “Because one false move might have brought down a ton of brickwork and girders. “She was very brave.”

The doctor administered morphia and hack-saws were used to cut through the steel furniture in which' the cashier was entangled and also tc cut through the door. As the woman was rescued the fire still raging on the lower floor, flared up but firemen directed their jets in that direction and kept the flames under control. \ ■ *