The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-06-30
THE GREAT OIL FIRE.
The Disaster at Pittsburg-OU Tanks Struck
by Lightning-LOss of Life-Terribie Scenes
Half Million Dollars eff Property De-


by LiEhtning-Loss of Liie-Terribie Scenes
Half IA Million Dollars eff Property De-
stroyed.
The Pittsburg Commercial OF yesterday gives the
following particulars OF the disaster previously re-
ported by telegraph
The most disastrous oil confagration ever known
in the State of Pennsylvania occurred yesterday
afternoon, in the Eighteenth ward, opposite the
borough OF Sharpsburg.
THE THUNDER STORM.
Shortly after O'Clock there loomed up around
the horizon black threatening clouds and the rum
bling thunder told OF the terrinc storm that was
approaching. In a few moments the wind became
almost tornado; vivid flashes of lightning and
terrible peals OF thunder followed, and soon the
awful work OF devastation commenced.
THE CONFEDERATION
About half past two O'Clock the lightning struck
simultaneously 20, 600 barrel tank belonging the
Works. The burning oil from these set fire to the
adjoining premises, and flowed rapidly down to the
bridge, setting re to all buildings that came in its
way, and soon the bridge was envel0ped in names
1t was hut an instant and pail as black as midnight
settled over the entire vicinity, and men were neeng
from the terrible scene without scarcely being able
to see their way. The names swept down upon the
Office where Mr. ii. B. Foster, the book keeper OF
the Eclipse Works, was sitting, and only few
charred remains are left to tell his sad fate
In Few moments the scene presented was in
descT6aOy an ana aWl9ly grand The spectator who
q complete view OF the dreadful confagraton.
About fifteen acres OF burning tanks dwellings,
and buildings lay just before him. From each tank
came rolling up immense columns OF dense smoke,
and ever and anon the flames would leap skyward,
IL
upward course Five huge columns OF smoke
marked the points were oil tanks were burning, and
the dwelling house OF Dr. Tweedle and the buildings
of the Eclipse Refinery filled in the intervening
space with lurid flames. Beyond this, clearly
cleaning through the smoke the Sharpsburg Bridge
was to be seen, clearly defined and blazing and
cracking about TO fall. Soon II fell: on each side
OF the high piers the woodwork fell into the river
and, serpent like, noated kissing down the current
Just then there arose from the burning mass o.
the Eclipse ruins the screeching OF the steam, es-
Gaping from the safetp-Valves OF the six large
| boilers, and the crowd drew back in momentary
expectation OF an explosion. The valves whisted
| and screeched in tone that sounded like the
mourning OF some unknown monster over the awful
| spectacle.
The connagration extended along the river bank
for about hall mile, and the ties OF the Allegheny
Valley Ralroad were set on re and the rails warped
into almost every conceivable shape.
The air was nlled with burning cinders, and some
or the 1rst struck and ignited tank OF crude oil
belonging TO Forsythe Bros, and also set fire to the
settling aud agtating house OF the National Re-
| fning and Storing Company, over a quarter OF a
mile below the place where the first fire broke out
THE LOSS.
DIR, Tweddle estimates the total loss at his place
at about $3.50 000 on which he has an insurance OF
$4,000. His loss on the buildings and Oil machinery
about $3.50 900 and on oil $4,000. and para
fine and machinery el00,O ,OOO The loss at the Cit-
zens Works was estimated at $4,000 early last even