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Show M. J.ISROCKtD BY BLAST OF 3 TONS OFniTRO Two Men Die, Sabotage Checked in Big Explosion GIBBSTOWN, N. J., Jan. 17 (INS) Two workmen were blown to bits and a third was injured today when a terrific explosion of 6000 pounds of nitroglycerine destroyed a neutralizing neu-tralizing building of the giant E. I. DuPont de Nemours company's com-pany's plant in this community. The blast was of such intensity that it was felt as far as 60 miles away. Hundreds of persons, startled star-tled by the shaking of their homes or office buildings, thought an earthquake had occurred. Captain William J. Carter of the Hammonton barracks of the New , Jersey state police was ordered by I his superior. Commander Mark O. Klmberllng, to Investigate the pot- J 1 sibiltty of sabotage. It also was t reported that G-men were sent t o the scene from Newark to snake a "complete check-up." Routine Check-op Both measures, however were ' described as routine, and company officials scoffed at the sabotage - possibility. In the last 25 years, 20 persons have been killed and 25 injured In explosions at the Gibbstown plant. Commenting on a rumor that extra guards had been posted at the Gibbstown plant's gates to "prevent sabotage," a company spokesman said "there's not an iota of truth in it." He explained the gates are always guarded to prevent people from entering and causing an accident similar to today's to-day's detonation. Those killed: Edward M. Bunden Jr., 31, of Paulsboro. Married and the father of one child. Earl Leslie Harbison,' 30, of Clayton. Workman Injured The injured man, according to a report given out by Paul C Kaiser, general manager of the Gibbstown plant. Is Ray Hicks, who was working work-ing In the building 500 yards away from the scene of the explosion. Kaiser also reported that several other buildings, all small wooden structures, were damaged by the blast, the cause of which has not been ascertained. Bunden's and Harbison's bodies have not been recovered. They were working In the de- strayed structure, known as neutralizing neu-tralizing building No. 4, when the nitroglycerine let go. The building, build-ing, like others on the grounds, was one story high and completely complete-ly surrounded by a barricade of earth as high as the roof. Only a crater is left. Immediately after the blast, hundreds hun-dreds of mothers, wives, children and other relatives rushed to the gates of the plant seeking news of loved ones. "Explosion Season" Employes, without giving any reason, stated that this is the time of the year In which explosions generally occur. At Runneniede, located 18 miles northeast of Gibbstown, the explosion ex-plosion shook out store windows. The blast rattled windows In skyscraper office buildings In Philadelphia, Phil-adelphia, 20 miles away. 4 |