March 14, 1942

ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE IN N.Y.
Shells Hit Equitable Building

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Eight shells were accidentally loosed from an anti-aircraft battery in New York City yesterday, one of which caused damage to the Equitable building on Broadway. Police and fire responded with dozens of vehicles, while inside the building the air raid warden prepared to lead workers to the air raid shelter. Bricks and a two-inch piece of steel fell on the street below from where the shell impacted. Major General Sanderford Jarman, commander of the eastern theater command anti-aircraft artillery, issued a statement late yesterday that stated in part: “Preliminary investigation indicates that the accident occurred through some mechanical failure in the firing mechanism of the gun.” There were no injuries reported in the incident, which occurred about 3:30 p.m. Eastern War Time (EWT).