A RECENT ACETYLENE EXPLOSION.

A RECENT ACETYLENE EXPLOSION.

乙炔气体机最近在蒙特爆炸ague, Me. Two persons were killed, and the destruction of property was considerable. The report of the New England Insurance Exchange on the subject is as follows: "The machine was located in a frame addition of Cleary Bros.’ dry goods store, about ten by ten feet, not ventilated, but communicating with the main building by a doorway, which it is understood was left open with the idea that enough heat would enter the building from the main store to prevent the machine freezing. During the last week in December and the first in January the machine appeared to be somewhat out of order, as it worked unsatisfactorily, and on investigation it was found to be frozen, the assured having difficulty in manipulating the agitator, and, in endeavoring to use the agitator, it appears from the examination of the machine since the explosion, that one of the arms of the same was broken. It was also discovered during this cold spell that the water froze and. prevented the bell from working. From the best information obtainable at this time, the conclusion is reached that the gas which was let out of the system when endeavoring to lower the hell into place communicated with the furnace in the basement, causing the explosion, and that the explosion was intensified by the gas that escaped from the burners after the light went out, the attention of the operators being given to the machine itself and the warning of the occupants of the building in anticipation of the danger of machine exploding. When attempting to discover the trouble with the machine after the light went out, it was observed that the machine was generating gas so fast that the carbide appeared to be boiling. The force of the explosion was lateral, the west side of the building being almost entirely demolished. The roof fell. The east side, badly shattered, fell in onto the remains of the roof. It is believed from the evidence that the entire contents cf the building were ruined by the explosion. Fire followed, consuming what was within its range.”

Paris has now a salvage corps.