Bristol, CT Oven Explosion, Oct 1887

A FATAL EXPLOSION

Three Men Killed, Two Wounded, and a Building Set on Fire.

E. C. WILSDON left his japan oven, at SESSIONS & SONS foundry, Bristol, Conn., in the room where a dozen men and boys were at work, to go to his dinner. He had but just gone out when the oven exploded with fearful violence, instantly killing one man and two boys, lacerating two others and setting the building on fire. It was some time before the flames were subdued, and then there were dragged forth the charred remains of the three victims. They are:
JOHN SHANE, aged thirty-one;
BURT CLEVELAND, aged eighteen; and
WILLIE YOUNG, aged fifteen.

The wounded are DANIEL GRIFFIN and WILLIAM PONNIER. No reason can be assigned for the accident. The explosion drew hundreds to the scene and the excitement was great, particularly before it was learned how many victims there were in the flames.

The Cranbury Press New Jersey 1887-10-28
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!