Alexandria Gazette

Terrible Gas Explosion

On Friday last, as James Daniel, with a lighted candle was searching for a supposed leak in the gas-pipes in the store of John V. Barbee, at Savannah, Geo., the flame came in contact with the gas, and a terrible explosion instantly followed. The building was a wooden one, and occupied for the double purpose of a store and a residence. The former had but recently been opened and contained a stock valued at $1,800 to $2,000. The tables, counters, groceries, and everything in the store, were completely destroyed. The floor below was blown up, and that above broken in many places. Furniture in the second story was badly injured, and windows in the third broken out. The report of the explosion was like that of a cannon, and was heard in distant parts of the city. Mr. Daniel was blown through a window, and had a leg broken. The wife of Mr. Barbee had her ankle broken and her foot badly bruised, so that it will probably require amputation. The mother of Mr. B. was slightly injured, but his little daughter was terribly mangled. Both legs and an arm were broken, and the left eye blown out. She presented a shocking spectacle.