El Paso, Texas, USA
1916 - GASOLINE EXPLOSION IN EL PASO JAIL IS CAUSE OF 18 DEATHS. SEVERAL MORE TO DIE AS RESULT OF INJURIES. LIGHTED MATCH TO VAPORS IS THE CAUSE.

(By Associated Press)
El Paso, Texas, March 7. - Although the death list remains at eighteen in the jail explosion here last night, several more prisoners are expected to die. The explosion occurred in the disinfecting room where there were fifty prisoners. A lighted match ignited vapors arising from the bath, which was a mixture of gasoline, kerosene and vinegar.
An inquest and city investigation of the accident were ordered for today.

While the investigation is proceeding on this side of the river, Juarez authorities were looking for an unidentified Mexican who boarded a street car near the Juarez race track last night and shot the motorman, an American, after a report was spread that two hundred Mexicans had been thrown in jail here and deliberately burned to death. PHELPS, the motorman may die.

Brownsville Herald
Brownsville, Texas
March 7, 1916

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