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■ LOSS OP MORE THAN A THOU-j SAND DOLLARS CAUSED BYGAS EXPLOSION.FIVE LIVES WERE ENDANGEREDStore Owned by Fred Gross—Fire! Followed the Explosion Adding to Damage—Gas Accumulated in Basement.(JVoa Friday’s Dally.)The Gross general merchandisestore at Manilla was badly wrecked by a gas explosion in the basement of the building tbis afternoon at}1 twelve-thirty o’clock. Fred Gross, the proprietor, had a very narrow escape from death and his little three-year-old daughter, Katherine, and three men, “Doc” Warfield, Leslie Webster and Link Smith, received asevere shaking up.That all the occupants of the store were not killed or seriously injured is a miracle, as Mr. Gross was in the basement at the time of the explosion and the three men were standing in the front part of the store. They were hurled thru the door into the street. The little girl was aboutforty feet from the explosion, she not suffering much from the explosion.All of the windows were broken,and a hole fifteen feet square was torn in the floor of the store.The damage to the building and the stock of goods will reach six thousand dollars, fire following the explosion, causing a big loss before it was extinguished by the fire department. The loss will not be complete, as insurance was carried both on the building and contents.The stock of goods in the store was valued at $10,000.The explosion was caused by gas accumulating in the basement of tht building. Yesterday, Mr. Gross smelled the fumes, hut upon a careful examination of the premises, was unable to locate the leak, and thought no more about it until this afternoon when the explosion occurred.Mr. Gross was waiting on a customer and when he went into the cellar to get an article he lighted a match, the explosion following.Mr. Gross suffered the most from the explosion, as he was also terribly burned about the face and hands besides having the hair burned from his head. In a communication with Dr. Barnum concerning the condition of Mr. Gross, a representative of the Democrat was unable to learn bow bad he was injured, as It could not be ascertained at that time.The explosion and fire Is one ofthe worst misfortune that has fallento the lot of Manilla for several years. The entire town was shaken by the explosion.
Newspaper Details
Shelbyville Shelby Democrat
Shelbyville, Indiana, US
Thu, Feb 20, 1913
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Elyria P.
OH, USA 14 Jun 2021
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