Explosion in Sign Company's New York Building

An explosion in the New York headquarters of Kaltech Industries Group was said to be caused by chemicals stored in the basement. Kaltech is a leading fabricator of interior and exterior signage.

The explosion, at 11:30 Thursday morning on West 19th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, blew a hole in the building's faade, ripped doors off hinges and sent bricks and window shards onto the street. At least 42 people were injured, 12 critically.

The scene of firemen and policemen, debris and injured, was reminiscent of the New York attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and there was an understandable fear that this was yet another terrorist effort. But city and fire officials quickly quelled those fears, tracing the explosion to volatile chemicals recently delivered to Kaltech.

Kaltech works with sandblasting, silk screen and vinyl, and makes banners, cast letters, plaques, etched signs, color image graphics, illuminated signs and fabricated graphics for banks, stores, hospitals and office buildings.