Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-04-27

Terrific Explosion of AN OIL WeH-EIfteen
Persons burned to Death-The Earth on
Fire.
We have made brief mention of the terrific
catastrophe that occurred at Oil Creek, Pa,
by which fifteen lives were lost through the
explosion of an oil well on the Buchanan Flats.
The farm contains, probably, more oil wells,
commenced and completed, than are found on
the same number of acres in any other part of
the oil region. Unfortunately, the cupidity of
operators has caused wells to be sunk in fear
full proximity The farm lies on Oil Creek,
about three miles from its mouth and the ALL
eghany river. The well which caused this
sudden and terrible loss of life, and destruct.
ion of property by fire, was owned by Merritt
& Little, and, understand, had been pump
ing well, but, failing in its supply, the proprie-
tors were drilling it deeper.
They had reached the depth of three hun
dred and twenty feet when, at half past five
O'Clock on Wednesday, the 18th inst, the drill
penetrated a large fissure in the rock, and i'm
mediately oil aud gas commenced flowing out
Of the top of the well to the height of from fit.
ty to one hundred feet, through five inch
hole. The atmosphere was heavy at that
time, which kept the gas near the ground,
and issuing from the well iii such immense
quantities that the surrounding air was COM
pletely filled with it. AT six o'clock men ex-
tinguished the fires of their engines in the i'm
mediate vicinity, and most of them went to
their tea after which, the well being SO great
curiosity, and such immense quantities of oil
being wasted, people gathered by hundreds,
some to witness the sight, and some TO help
save the oil. About seven o'clock-like the
discharge of thunderbot, and with report
which was heard for miles--the terrific explo-
sion took place. The air for hundreds Of rods
in circumference, was one vast sheet OF intense
flame, as of lightning
The conclusion Frustrated every one in the
vicinity and the ground around the well, Tor
some rods being completely saturated with oil,
those who were knocked down within this Cir
Gle were Immediately enveloped in fierce
fame and in one awful moment, nine human
souls, unshriven and unwarned, were launched
into eternity, and from twenty five to thirty
seriously burned, several of whom have since
died.
The well which caused this accident contin-
ues to discharge through five inch hole to the
height of forty TO fifty feet, and is still burn
ing. They have been unable as yet to sup
press it, on account OF the great heat and force
With which the oil and gas are elected. The
heat is SO intense that the people cannot get
within seventy five feet of the well, and as yet,
has been impossible to secure the remains of
the killed, so that, horrible to relate, their
blackened remains lie in full view, but out of
reach.
The sight of this well by night-only for the
thought of the awful accident, which has ac-
companied it's brilliant beyond imagination
Nothing could give us as grand an idea of a
Vesuvius in its commissions as Vesuvius itself.
The flowing is accompanied by a continual
noise and by tremendous throbs. AS the oil
and gas are forced above the surface of the
well, they are caught by the devastating flame
accompanied to its height, and separate with
slight reports like the explosion ofsky-rockets,
and as the particles of oil reach the ground
they are again caught by the flames, which
cover it to the distance of some twenty feet in
each direction.