TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 23 February 1914, Page 5

TERRIFIC EXPLOSION.

CABLE NEWS.

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).)

AT NOBEL'S FACTORY.

SEVEN PERSONS KILLED*

(Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) LONDON, February 21.

An explosition occurred in the mixing houso at Nobel's explosive manufactory at. Ardeer. The noise was heard forty miles away. Terrible havoc was caused at the factory, Seven persons were killed. Tho mixing house contained 60001b of gelatine. It is believed some of the gelatine exploded during conveyance from tho building. Seven persons inside were hlown to pieces, and four outside were injured, <yie fatally. Four others had miraculous escapes. , No trace of the structure remained.

A second explosion occurred in the siuno house.

Buildings for miles around were shaken to then- foundations, and terror reigned in the neighbourhood. In the villages residents rushed into the streets, and horses istampeded. The glass roof of the Ardeer Foundry collapsed, and fell on three hundred workmen, many of whom were severely cut.

There were a hundred girls employed in huts adjacent to tho mixing house. A serious panic occurred amongst them, and many fainted. Fragments injured several of the girls—one of them seriously.

REMAINS OF VICTIMS. SCATTERED IN ALL DIRECTIONS (Received Last Night, 5.5 o'clock.) LONDON, February 21. Tiie remains of the victinjs of the Ardeef disaster were scattered in all directions. Fragments were excavated from the sand dunes. A portion' of the timber was found five miles distant.