Fearful Explosion in a Cartridge Factory.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 193, 9 September 1889, Page 2

Fearful Explosion in a Cartridge Factory.

Thousand Wounded. Five Acres of Buildings Destroyed. ANTWERP, Sept 6. An explosion took place to day at Corvin lain's cartridge faotory in this oity, by which two hundred workmon ware killed, and a hundred injured. Several petroleum factories adjoining oaught fire, and 100,000 barrels of oil were burnt. September 7. By the explosion at Oorvilain'a cartridge faotory three hnndred men wero killed and a thousand wounded. The effect was like that of an earthquake. The river Scheldt was covered with blazing petroleum, but ns the wind waß in the contrary direction the shipping in the harbor was saved. Two hundred factory girls were either killed or seriously itj-jured. General dum'-ge hns been done in the port, and the Stock Exchango iB extensively injured. Fears aro also entertained for the safety of the spire of the Cathedral, whioh is very lofty. Every window iv the city is broken, and all the oranea and machinery are in ruins. Brussels, September 7. The explosion of the cartridge faotory at Antwerp was heard at Ghent, over 30 miles away, and the flames were visible in this city. A panic ensued after the explosion, aad many of the soldiers who were preserving order were suffocated. The firemen, were powerless to oontrol the conflagration whioh broke out, and five bomb of buildings were destroyed, The Cathedral windows were all smashed, and the spire wa. cnlangercd.