EXPLOSION OF GAS

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17712, 16 May 1929, Page 7

EXPLOSION OF GAS

91 DEATHS RESULT.

DISASTER IN A HOSPITAL. REMOVAL OF PATIENTS. PEDESTRIANS DROP ON STREETS. (Qy Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian Prepo Association.) NEW YORK, May 16. A message from Cleveland, Ohio, states that 01 are dead as a result of the explosion of poison gas shortly after noon to-day at the Cleveland clinic hospital. Pedestrians for a block around woro ovorcome by the gas and dropped on the side-walk gasping. The hospital Is operated by Dr.., George Crlllo. The explosion oocurred In the X-ray room. The oauso Is unknown.

Firemen braved death, taking scores of patients from tho wards end ollnio rooms.

Many wer6 unconscious, somo burned, and others suffering from gas.

THREE EXPLOSIONS. CAUSED BY X-RAY MACHINE. A GRUESOME SPECTACLE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Austrfllan Press Association.) (Received A%y 10, 11.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 15. There were three explosions In the Cleveland clinic disaster, after which the lire broke out. There are possibly 100 injured. Two hundred persons were believed to he in the building when the blasts occurred. Unofficial reports declared that the explosion was caused by an X-ray machine in the basement shortly before noon. Then within 15 minutes a chemical in the pharmacy exploded, firing the building and spreading deadly fumes. The third explosion shook the structure several minutes later, while the police and firemen inside were attempting rescue work. The removal of patients was handicapped owing to the intense heat. Many jumped from the windows and were injured before the rescuers arrived. Scores of physicians and all avail- ' able ambulances rushed to the scene, j The firemen found a gruesome spectacle on the second floor, namely, a pile) of bodies on the landing, some dead, some injured. All the latter were un- 1 conscious.

Mixed with the bodies w£re chunks of piaster and debris from the ceiling and walls.