Pittsburgh, PA Republic Iron Works Boiler Explosion, Sept 1899

FIVE WORKMEN KILLED AND SEVEN INJURED.
Many Pittsburg Buildings Shaken by a Boiler Explosion in an Iron Mill.

THE WRECKAGE TAKES FIRE.
People Nearly Suffocated by Dust. Disaster Occurred When Night Force Was Leaving.

Pittsburg, September 1 --- A boiler explosion at the Republic Iron Works on South Twenty-fourth street, shortly before daylight to-day, killed five men and seriously injured seven others. A fire which broke out following the explosion added to the horror. The mill was partly wrecked and the entire plant was compelled to close down.

The list of killed and injured is as follows:
Killed:
DAVID MATTHEWS, a heater; married.
THOMAS BEAVENS, a heater; married.
WILLIAM THOMAS, a heater; married.
JOHN WARMINSKI, heater.
UNKNOWN MAN, crushed almost beyond recognition.
Injured:
MALACHI DONAHOE, 58 years old, puddler; badly burned, not expected to recover.
NEIL DONAHOE, his son, 28 years old, burned about the head and breast; will die.
FREDERICK HERB, a helper, 48 years old, skull fractured and burned all over the body; will die.
STEPHEN MILACASKI, a laborer, bruised and cut, will recover.
GREGORY SANDERS, a puddler, not serious.
PETER SCHNITZER, a helper, not serious.
UNKNOWN MAN, cut about head. Left the hospital without giving his name.

The explosion occurred just as the night force was leaving and the day force was coming on duty, so that there were only a few men in the mill at the time. If it had happened a half hour later the list of the dead and injured would have been appalling. It occurred in the fourteen inch department and the concussion was terrific. Buildings were shaken a mile away and dust filled the air for two or three blocks. It entered open windows and nearly suffocated persons who were aroused by the roar and the shock.

Immediately following the explosion the wreckage took fire and this added to the difficulties encountered in rescuing the burned and mutilated victims. A fire alarm was quickly sounded and in a short time the flames were under control, after which the firemen were employed in searching the ruins for the dead and injured. The first two bodies taken out were identified as those of BEAVENS and MATTHEWS.

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