TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 35

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION

AMERICAN AMMUNITION DEPOT. HEAVY LOSS OF NEW YORK, July 10. A message from Lake Denmark, New Jeisey, says it is believed that 80 persons were killed by four terrific ’ explosions caused by lightning striking a powder magazine dt the United States Naval Ammunition Depot. The loss of life cannot be accurately estimated since the detonations rocked the country for 30 miles around, and reports coming in indicate that the inhabitants in many small towns near the depot may have been killed, since the houses collapsed under the concussions. Many buildings were torn from their foundations, automobiles were hurled from the roads, and the sky was darkened by hurtling debris and smoke. While the majority of the killed and injured are believed to be the personnel of the depot, the hospitals in the districts near the scene are filled with injured civilians. The depot personnel after the first explosion was mustered toiight the fire, and these were caught ly the second explosion which rained upon them great timbeis and chunks of steel and concrete and a flood of burning oil from bursted tanks. The wives and children of the personnel and officers having quarters near the depot were caught by the exploding materials. The explosions had wdde ramifications. The army arsenal situated in a town nearby was rocked to its foundations by the detonation, but there was no ignition of the stores of shells. The quarters of the officers and men were unable to stand the force of the explosions, however, and ceilings crashed down, injuring several persons. The telephone exchanges for many miles away were deranged, hindering the rescue work. Physicians and nurses were rushed from New York, and at many places ooen-air hospitals were erected. Thousands of persons fled from their homes believing that an earthquake had occurred. Firemen over a large area have been arrested to check the names and search the debris. At Dover, New Jersey, 70 officers and men, the personnel of the Government arsenals there, are believed to have been killed to-night owing to an explosion in the ammunition depots after being struck by lightning. Fire followed. Later reports state that the explosion was at the navy ammunition depot at Lake Denmark, near Dover. It is feared that the entire personnel of 70 have been killed. When called out to fight the fire following the first explosion they were caught by a second explosion. Chunks of steel and concrete, liquid fire from the oil tanks, and burning timbers catching men and falling on the houses, where the wives and children of the men sought shelter. Further explosions followed at brief intervals holding the rescue workers at bay. The countryside was shaken for a radius of more than 30 miles and 30 homes are reported to have been destroyed in a village two miles distant. Numerous civilians in the towns surrounding the arsenal are reported to have been injured. FURTHER EXPLOSIONS FEARED. NEW YORK, July 11. (Received July 12, at 1.30 p.m.) The fire is still raging and further explosions are feared.