THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Widespread devastation as US naval arsenal blows up after being struck by lightning

The News Letter reported that a naval ammunition arsenal near Dover in New Jersey had exploded after it was struck by lightning which left widespread devastation and had reportedly destroyed a number of villages.

The report in the News Letter read: “A huge area suffered from fire, and the shock was felt, at least, for a distance of thirty miles. Houses were torn from their foundations and many motor cars on the roads in the vicinity were overturned.” The report continued: “Exploding shells caused a fire in the army arsenal, a mile away, where 150 people were injured and taken to hospitals in the neighbourhood.”

Meanwhile “motor ambulances” carrying doctors and nurses were summoned from Dover and Morristown to the scene of the disaster with rescue worked being conducted in great difficulty.

The report continued: “Panic reigns in the villages for miles around. This panic was increased when two smaller explosions were heard after the first alarming detonation.”

The report added: “Lake Hopatcong, where there us a large summer colony, suffered severely and, of 183 buildings which have been erected on the reservation, the majority were destroyed.”

The loss of life, which was believed to at least 50, among the arsenal staff had been largely confined to naval guards and civilian workmen, the report commented.

It added: “Fortunately, many of the staff had left for the weekend. Had the explosion occurred on any other day, many more would have been trapped in the building.”