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The State Fire Marshal came to Terre Haute Thurs day afternoon to lay the groundwork for an investi gation of the city’s gas mains. His action was prompted by a recommendation from his chief investigator fol lowing Wednesday’s explo sore Pictures on Page 22. sion on the city’s northside which injured 18 persons and caused an estimated $250,000 damage. It was the third violent explosion in the city in five weeks. Wednesday’s blast about 3:25 o’clock in the afternoon demolished the Swap Shop, 1600 Lafayette avenue, and the You - Are - Next Barber Shop next door, and flat tened at least three homes. Other homes in the imme diate vicinity were damaged by the explosion which was heard miles away and felt a mile from the scene. Fire Marshal Ira Anderson told THE TRIBUNE he would confer with the mayor, police chief, fire chief and officials of the Terre Haute Gas Corpora tion about an investigation to determine the possible cause or causes of the explosions which have plagued the community since the first of the year. A probe was recommended by Bernard Sweeney, chief of in vestigations for the fire mar shal’s office. “We are taking steps now in preparation for such an investi gation,” Anderson said. “This office will offer every means at its disposal to the city of Terre Haute in this situation. Services of the Fire Marshal’s Depart ment as well as the Attorney General’s Office and the Gov ernor’s Office will be forthcom ing for the people of Terre Haute.” Sweeney, who has been on the explosion scene since it hap pened, described the situation “a serious emergency.” He said the most likely agency to con duct such an investigation is the Indiana Public Service Commis sion, but Anderson said it would be determined after his office has looked into it thor oughly. The investigator expressed doubts that the trouble lies in antiquated mains as has been suggested by some local observ ers. He said his preliminary probe at the scene Wednesday indicated that the main in volved in the blast was installed about two years ago. Meanwhile all schools of the Vigo County School Corpora tion were closed today and to morrow for inspection of their heating systems. Parochial schools and the Laboratory School remained in a session since all had been thoroughly inspected only recently. Superintendent Max Gabbert said the school administration building will be open and ad ministrative staff and employes will be on the job Friday. None of the injured was seri ous and only four of the 18 were hospitalized. While chil dren from Rankin School pass the spot where most of the dam age occurred, home-bound stu dents already had gone by when the blast occurred. Victims in cluded visitors in the area as well as residents and workers. Admitted to Union Hospital but reported in good condition were: Mrs. Rosalie Powell, 28, 1608 Lafayette avenue. Mrs. Betty Stewart, 23, 3030 North Thirteenth and One half street. Woodrow Boatman, 36, 3105 Continued On Page 22, Col. 1, CENTER OF WEDNESDAY’S EXPLOSION WHICH WREAKED DAMAGE OVER WIDE NORTHSIDE AREA INJURING 18 PERSONS PHOTO BY BRUCE
Newspaper Details
Terre Haute Tribune
Terre Haute, Indiana, US
Thu, Feb 07, 1963
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 15 Jul 2026
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Western Register and Terre Haute Advertiser
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