FATAL EXPLOSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7650, 29 May 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

FATAL EXPLOSION.

A disastrous explosion occurred on April 8 at the Hour mills of Mes3rs. Todd, situated in Commercial-street, Leith, adjoining the docks. The seat of the explosion was in a fire-proof room, built above the furnaces, and knowu as the exhaust chamber. Without warning, tho sides of this chamber suddenly burst out with a roar liko thunder, the masaivc stonos being blown right across the adjoining thoroughfare among a lot of children who were playing near, maiming aoine of them in a dreadful manner. Simultaneously flames broke out in the main building, but thanks to tho prompt and energetic action of sailors from t.lio gunboat Klk and artillerymen from Lcith Fort, the liro was quickly extinguished. A search party v/a3 quickly organised for tho purpose of exploring tho ruins. Two boys named William Sinclair and John Orchardaou were got out alive, but with shocking injuries. Shortly afterwards tho body of a scavenger named M'Govern was found tearfully mutilated, and near him were disinterred the bodies of two boys, brothers to the injured lad John Orchardsou. Iu addition to theso Charlea Peterson aud .James Davidson, iiremca, wore terribly scalded, Potereo-n succumbing to lu3 injuries next dsy.