From Milwaukee Wisconsin Newspaper of unknown date (possibly April 1908)

Two Killed in Waukegan Fire  
Immense Fly Wheel Runs Amuck When Electric Company's Plant Burns
Iron rips hole in hotel
Several Buildings are destroyed in this blaze causing a loss of $135,000.
Number of spectators hurt
Chicago, Illinois   April 23, 1908

Two men were killed, two hurt seriously and several others slightly injured last night in the plant of the North Shore Electric Company at Waukegan (Illinois) by an immense fly wheel which struck loose from it's bearings. The wheel was released by the burning of the belt which connected it with other machinery.

An alarm of the fire had just been received by the department and a large crowd of spectators congregated to watch the firemen extinguish the blaze when the fly wheel gave way. The origin of the fire is unknown.
  

Plant is Destroyed

The electric plant valued at $135,000 was virtually destroyed and several of the buildings ????? damaged.
  

The Dead

Jansen, J. H. manager of the telephone exchange at Waukegan.

Unidentified man, mutilated beyond recognition supposed to have been about 25 years of age.
  

The Injured

P. F. Dodd, Draftsman at North Chicago naval training school, scalp wounds and arm injured.

---- Kaefs (??) instructor for the Waukegan Electric Light Company, scalp wounds and bruises.

All the killed and injured except Jansen were spectators.
  

Hotel is Struck

At the Hotel Edmund, about a block distant from the lighting plant, a piece of the wheel ripped a hole in the roof and knocked plaster from the walls and badly frightened 100 guests.
  

John Jansen Killed
Brother of Commissioner of Public Works and Ex-Fireman

John Jansen, manager of the Waukegan Telephone company, who was killed in an explosion there Wednesday night, is a former Milwaukee fireman and a brother of Leonard A. Jansen, Commissioner of public works here. Commissioner Jansen left for Waukegan today to bring back the body of his brother for burial in Milwaukee. John Jansen's wife is critically ill in Jansen's Waukegan home, and it is feared that the shock of her husband's death may kill her.

John Jansen was a member of the Milwaukee Fire Department in 1890, being Lieutenant of Company No.3, stationed at Reed Street and National Avenue. He has many friends in this city.

His death was caused by an explosion in the plant of the North Shore Electric Company in Waukegan shortly before midnight. Jansen volunteered his aid as a fireman in fighting a stubborn blaze in the plant when he and two others were caught in an explosion of ????.

John H. Jansen lost his life recently in fire at North Shore Electric Company Waukegan, Illinois. Born March 15, 1861. Died April 23, 1908.

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