1945 — Apr 11, chemicals explode/fire, Super Products Co. plant., NY Ave., Des Moines, IA–8

Compiled Nov 20, 2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–8  AP. “Des Moines Fire Death Toll Mounts.” Creston News Advertiser, IA. 4-13-1945, p. 5.

–8  Des Moines Register. “Keokuk Explosion Among Major Disasters in Iowa.” 11-26-1965, 4.

Narrative Information

April 12, AP: “Des Moines, (AP) – Six persons were dead and two others were in critical condition today as a result of an explosion and fire yesterday at the Super Products Co. plant, which manufactured plastic wood and plastic cement. All the victims worked at the plant. The latest victim was Murray Hitchins, 30, son of one of the owners of the firm, W. Ray Hitchins. Murray died early today. His father, 52, and Kenneth Brewer, 25, were in a critical condition. Only one person in the plant escaped death or injury.

“The other dead were: Thomas K. Carmichael, 56, a part owner of the firm; Mont Walters; William B. Marshman, 32; Mrs. Mildred Peterson, 36, and Mrs. Margaret McDannel, 35. All were residents of Des Moines except Marshman, who was from Panora.

“Helen Fitzerald, 26, Des Moines, a stenographer, was in the office when the blast occurred in the mixing room area. She said she ran from the building when she saw the flash from the explosion.

“Firemen said the fire followed explosion of chemicals used in the manufacture of the plastic products. Some office records were salvaged from the one-story brick structure.” (Associated Press. “Des Moines Plant Blast Fatal to 6.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 4-12-1945, p. 1.)

April 13, AP: “Des Moines, April 13 (AP) – W. Ray Hitchins, 52, died last night, bringing to eight the death toll in the explosion and fire which wrecked the Super Products company plant Wednesday. Hitchins, Des Moines, was manager of the firm which manufactured plastic wood and plastic cement. His son, Murray, 30, and Kenneth Brewer, 25, died earlier yesterday. All were burned critically in the explosion in which five persons were killed outright. Only person in the building to escape death or injury was Helen Fitzgerald, 26, Des Moines, a stenographer.” (AP. “Des Moines Fire Death Toll Mounts.” Creston News Advertiser, IA. 4-13-1945, p.5.)

 Sources

Associated Press. “Des Moines Fire Death Toll Mounts.” Creston News Advertiser, IA. 4-13-1945, p5. Accessed 11-20-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/creston-news-advertiser-apr-13-1945-p-5/

Associated Press. “Des Moines Plant Blast Fatal to 6.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 4-12-1945, p. 1. Accessed 11-20-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-daily-courier-apr-12-1945-p-1/

Des Moines Register, IA. “Keokuk Explosion Among Major Disasters in Iowa.” 11-26-1965, p. 4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=116169964&sterm=keokuk