GAS EXPLOSION

Caused Death of Two Persons

PITTSBURG, Feb. 1 – An explosion of natural gas in the cellar of the home of HENRY MAGEL, in West Liberty yesterday, was the cause of the deaths of two persons and the severe injury of six others.

The dead are:
HENRY MAGEL, aged 55 years, burned to death in the cellar.
CHARLES MAGEL, his son, aged 20, both legs burned off, and caught under falling walls.

MRS. HENRY MAGEL fell through to the cellar and was seriously injured. Her children, WILLIAM, aged 13; FANNIE, 15, and OTTO, 18, and CHARLES ALMASY, a son-in-law and his wife were badly bruised and cut.

The explosion is supposed to have been caused by a leak from the gas main into the cellar, and when MR. MAGEL went there for a bucket of coal, carrying a lighted candle, a terrific explosion followed, completely wrecking the house.

Neighbors who gathered were unable to reach MAGEL who was pinned under the debris and were obliged to stand by and see him burn to death.

The Lowell Sun Massachusetts 1904-02-01
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!