§ On the Motion for the Adjournment of the House,
§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)asked the Financial, Secretary to the War Office whether the statements in the Press respecting an explosion at the Waltham Abbey Powder Factory were accurate?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL, Henley)I am profoundly grieved to have to confirm the truth of the report of the accident which my hon. Friend refers to respecting the explosion which took place at the Government Powder Factory during the night. The latest telegram concerning it is as follows:—
The explosion took place at 2.35 this morning. Eleven men were in or about the house at the time, of whom one was killed on the spot, one has since died at 12.5, and eight more are burnt, six seriously; one escaped uninjured. The building is divided into two portions, with a water-wheel between them. In each end are two Cam machines pressing E.X.E. prism from grain. A boat was alongside the house unloading grain and loading prism. There would be in the house and in the boat between 1,500 lbs. and l,600lbs. of powder, about half grain and half prism. The explosive effect was very slight, but the house, which was of wood, has been burnt down. The water-wheel is uninjured. The four Cam machines only slightly injured. No cause of the accident can at present be discovered. The injured have been removed to the Recreation Hall, which has been fitted up as a hospital. They are being attended by the two factory doctors (Dr. Priest and his assistant), and by nurses obtained from London.