[meteorite-list] NPA 10-13-1943: Mystery Blasts May Be Meteors

[MARK BOSTICK]

Paper: Nevada State Journal
City: Reno, Nevada
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 1943
Page: 1

Mystery Blasts May Be Meteors

     E. H. Ralford, of 735 Wells Ave., says the explosion which rocked Reno 
early yesterday morning may have been the result of a meteor which he saw 
over Peavine Mountain just about ten seconds before the blast.
     Mr. Ralford, well-known Reno engineer, reported to police that he was 
driving north on Wells Ave. at 4:45 a.m. yesterday.  When he was near the 
intersection of Roberts St., he looked up and saw the meteor.  He described 
it as highly illumined and traveling at terrific speed.
     The explosion was reported by many people, and was thought by officers 
to be connected with the two mystery blasts which shook the city late 
Thursday night.  They were all similar in nature, according to police who 
heard them and felt the shocks.
     Most reports reaching officials here yesterday gave the probable 
location of yesterday's explosion as south of Reno, which does not agree 
with Mr. Ralford's hypothesis.  On the other hand, everyone seemed a little 
indefinite regarding the location.
     One woman who lives on Ridge St. said she was awake at the time and saw 
a flash of light off to the south just before the explosion, it is believed 
that a brightly illumined meteor would shed sufficient light to make the 
flash general over this area, so that it might seem to come from any 
direction.
     A women on Haskell St. said the explosion was strong enough to throw 
her bed against the wall.
     Investigating officers could find no signs of an explosion.  The same 
thing was true following the blasts on Thursday night.  If they were caused 
by meteors, there would be no nearby evidence to find.
     On the other hand if they were caused by practical jokers with a supply 
of power or dynamite, Five Chief Karl Evans warned yesterday that the joke 
has gone far enough.  He said the blasts are heavy enough to do considerable 
damage and are a potential danger.
     Confirming reports that it may have been a meteor which caused the 
mysterious explosion yesterday morning was received from Fresno, Calif. 
Residents of that city reported that had seen a bright light from a meteor 
at 4:30 a.m.
     G. B. Blair, associate professor of physics and astronomy at the 
University of Nevada and Nevada representative of the American Meteor 
Society, said that he had received no reports of a meteor until contacted by 
a Journal reporter.  He said that he would like to have anyone who saw the 
meteor call him so that an investigation of its path may be made.

(end)

Mark note: Meteorites A to Z does not show any meteorite recovered from a 
fall during this time and location.

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