PENNSYLVANIA BLAST HURTS 22 IN HOSPITAL

Jan. 8, 1972

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McKEESPORT, Pa., Jan. 7 (UPI)—A boiler explosion destroyed a three‐story trick annex to the McKeesport Hospital today, injuring 22 of the 45 maintenance and administrative employes inside the building. None of the hospital's 500 patient's was hurt.

Two employes were critically Injured and five others were also hospitalized in fair or serious condition. One worker was trapped for 90 minutes in the rubble before being rescued.

A hospital spokesman said that a fire alarm set off by one of the workers just before the explosion possibly averted major disaster. Twenty seconds after the alarm sounded, the explosion tore through the anilex, shattering windows in nearby homes and businesses.

The entire rear portion of the building was blown away by the explosion. The cause of the blast was not known.

Critically injured was Mrs. Anne Cunningham, 29 years old, and Ellis Caldwell, 35. the boiler room superintendent.

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