Exploding Drum 
2003 Reader Submission
Pending Acceptance
This event occurred across the street from the building I live in (I'm at 505 N Lake Shore Dr). I moved in two years afterward, but my regular limo driver was in front of my building when the explosion occurred. The parking garage in question has four covered, but open to the outside, floors, with a 5th parking floor open to the elements. The hotel tower sits on top of the 5th floor of the parking garage. My limo driver reported seeing flames shoot out from one of the covered floors, and also reported that police were able to find only traces of clothing and bits of now inanimate human material. The gentleman in question managed to eliminate himself with but the slightest of traces. Police were able to reconstruct the event when they found chain saw teeth marks around the remains of the cap of the 55-gallon drum. They speculated that the individual in question was unable to open the drum with the wrench they found nearby and resorted to a "stronger" tool.
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WORKER KILLED BY EXPLODING DRUM
Chicago Tribune (Pre-1997 Fulltext); Chicago, Ill.; Jul 21, 1995
Abstract:
A 45-year-old construction worker was killed Thursday when he tried to open a 55-gallon drum of chemicals with a chain saw, causing an explosion, police said.
Full Text:
Copyright Chicago Tribune Co. Jul 21, 1995
A 45-year-old construction worker was killed Thursday when he tried to open a 55-gallon drum of chemicals with a chain saw, causing an explosion, police said.
William Gray, of the 8600 block of South Marquette Avenue, was fatally burned and cut by glass by the explosion, which occurred about 10 a.m. in a parking garage next to the Days Inn, 644 N. Lake Shore Drive, said Bomb and Arson Sgt. Bruce McElrath.
Gray was cleaning up in the construction area when he decided to open the drum full of concrete sealant with a chain saw, McElrath said, and a spark apparently caused it to explode.
Sub Title: NORTH SPORTS FINAL Edition
Start Page: 3
ISSN: 10856706
Dateline: Chicago
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Submitted on 06/03/2003
Submitted by:
John Maar
Reference:
Chicago Tribune Jul 21, 1995
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