Oct. 3, 1962 - At least 21 persons were killed and 95 injured today when a steam boiler exploded in a building of the New York Telephone Company at 213th Street and Broadway. Nineteen of the dead were women. The blast blew the boiler into the building’s cafeteria, where about 100 employees, mostly women, were beginning their lunch hour. Most if not all the deaths and injuries occurred there. The boiler, weighing more than a ton, rocketed through the room, struck the ceiling, bounced back down, then smashed through the opposite wall of the cafeteria, killing and maiming those in its path. Many of the 500 employees inside said they thought an atomic bomb had struck. When the boiler — one in a line of three that burned oil — blew up with stunning force, there were cries of “My God, my God, what’s happened?” Covered with dust and dirt, blinded by smoke and steam, those still able to move stumbled past rubble, overturned tables, and bodies and groped for exits. Fires broke out, but most of the destruction was caused by the blast. Employees formed human chains and led one another out of the shattered building. Half a dozen Roman Catholic priests from nearby churches gave last rites to many of the victims. Outside, women sat on chairs or leaned against parked cars, shaking with fright or staring with shock.
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