Easton, Pennsylvania, USA
1942 - BLAST FELT IN RADIUS OF 50 MILES. SEVERAL KILLED AT CEMENT PLANT QUARRY AT EASTON, PA.

Easton, Pa., March 26. - At least seven men were killed an an unknown number injured today in a premature dynamite explosion in a limestone quarry at the plant of the Lehigh Portland Cement Co.

Unofficial estimates said the death toll might reach 20.

Fourteen school children from a school a mile north of the quarry were brought to an Easton hospital.

The blast, which occurred about 9:45 a.m. E.W.T.

was heard for miles around, and was so severe that doors were jarred open in Allentown, 18 miles away.

Easton, Pa., March 26. - (INS) - Several workmen were believed killed or injured today when a terrific explosion, so great in intensity that it was heard and felt over a 50-mile radius, occurred at the Lehigh-Portland Cement Co., at Sandts Eddy, four-miles north of Easton.
State police said early reports indicated the detonation resulted from a premature explosion in a quarry on the cement company's property and that several workmen had been killed.

The cement company is located on route No. 611 which runs parallel to the Delaware river.

At the plant an official said one workman had been killed and a few injured. The explosions were to have been set off at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

The premature blast shook the countryside for miles around, breaking windows, hurling pictures and dishes from walls and closets.

Lowell Sun
Lowell, Massachusetts
March 26, 1942

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