ROBURITE FACTORY DISASTER

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81897, 1 December 1906, Page 3

ROBURITE FACTORY DISASTER

TERRIFIC EXPLOSIONS. PEOPLE HURLED IN ALL DIRECTIONS. HUNDREDS SERIOUSLY INJURED. BODIES OF THE DEAD FEARFULLY MANGLED. HEROIC WORK OF THE RESCUERS. INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED. Received 30th, 10. 5 p.m. Berlin, November 38. Twenty thousand kilogrammes of roburite was stored in the factor)-, which is situated in a hollow outside Annen, and adjoining W'itten. An outbreak of fire in the mixing room spread to a packing shed, where the first explosion occmred. Assistance was immediately depatched to the scene, when a second terrific explosion hurled rescuers and spectators in all directions. ilany were seized of panic, but others remained and helped the injured away, despite rumours that there were immense quantities of unexp'oded roburite in the vaults. Firemen, nuns, deaconesses, and workmen courageou-ly faced .he perils rendering fiist aid. The ambulance and tradesmen's carU conveyed hundreds of dangerously wounded, and two hundred and fifty less seriously wounded ta the hospitals. Incendiarism is suspected. Several houses in the vicinity were demolished, and Houses at Denmound were shaken to their foundations and plate glass windows were smashed. Thirty bodies heretofore recovered .were tearful y mutilated and charred. The Kaiser sent one thousand •pounds for the relief of the sufferers.