The Massachusetts Spy

Explosive Power of GAS. The Journal of Commerce relates that soon after the organization of a political meeting at Masonic Hall, N. York, on Monday evening last, a report was heard over head, resembling the discharge of a six pounder; and, immediately, a considerable portion of the ceiling, together with the central chandelier, was precipitated upon the heads, of the assembly, who rushed in a panic from the room, supposing that it was caused by a Torpedo or bomb, placed for some diabolical purpose, in the upper rooms. The mystery was, however, soon explained. A servant had been sent to the room, over the central part of the Hall, to light up. He opened the closet containing the gas pipe, to let off some gas. A quantity of gas had escaped from the pipe and was confined in the closet. The gas was instantly ignited from the flame of the candle, held by the servant, and exploded, knocking him over, tearing to pieces the closet door, and breaking through the ceiling beneath. Happily no person was injured.