Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 December 1898 — NEW YORK IN GLOOM. [ARTICLE]

NEW YORK IN GLOOM.

Bursting of Big Gas Tank Brings Death and Ruin. By the bursting of a huge gas reservoir in New York seven persons were killed and at least twenty were injured. The gas tank, one of the largest in the world and 209 feet in'diameter, was new. Ten workmen were testing it, and for that purpose had filled it with water. When almost fulldhe great steel structure burst and an avalanche of water overtook the workmen, crushed the adjoining buildings, one of them a tenement, and deluged the streets with torrents of water waist deep. Iron and steel beams, bands and plates were thrown great distances, and in the flood and debris men and women and children struggled for life. Immediately the explosion was reported the gas was shut off from the mains in that part of the city to prevent explosions and the mains from filling with water. Streets were in darkness as well as homes and stores. No one has an explanation to offer for the catastrophe. The contractor and his chief engineer were taken into custody by the police, to be held until the responsibility for the accident should be determined. They professed ignorance of the accident.