"The subsequent witnesses described the outbreak of the fire at the works and the explosion. They agreed that shortly before 4 o'clock on the afternoon of June 13, fumes were seen rising from No.9 pan, in which T.N.T was being manufactured. Dr Dreyfus and others went to the pan, and steps were taken which caused the fumes to cease. Five minutes later the staging in front of the pan was seen to be alight. The flames soon reached the roof - which collapsed - and spread to an adjoining room, which contained forty kegs of T.N.T ready for consignment.
Ten or fifteen minutes afterwards the explosion occurred, and all the witnesses declared that they were thrown down. One lad of 17 said he was sent flying through the air (which was 'one sheet if flame') and dropped thirty yards away. A workman, who was painting one of the gas holders of the Ashton Gas Company, which are only 90 yards from the chemical works, stated that the holders did not explode. They were cracked by flying debris and the escaping gas was ignited, causing both holders to collapse."