The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-01-24

OF OubOln hbfIN
ERY.-At 545 o'clock yesterday morning
the Ere department was called out by an
alarm from the Fourth Ward; and pro-
ceeding to that part Of the city found
the building known as Warren's oil re-
inery, on the corner Of Eof and 18th
streets, wrapped in . Gheet Of flame. The
United steamer and the Atlantic hose
reel were promptly on the ground, but
the FIRE was already beyond their control,
and their efforts TO save the property
we're ~unayailipg. The Atlantic steamer
did not respond, being unfit for service on
account Of the repairs that are being
made upon II.
The fire, which originated in the barrel
house, shortly communicated with the
settling tanks, which contained about
500 barrels Of refined oil. The oil tanks
burned through, and as the wind was blow
ing up the creek in 4 moment the banks
and surface OF the stream for the distance
Of over one hundred yards were y sheet
Of flame. The burning fluid afforded 4
brilliant and beautiful light, which illu:
minated the entire eastern section OF
the city, and drew hundreds Of people to
the scene.
The FIRE lasted about an hour and q
half, during which time the barrel house,
settling tanks and contents, agitator,
cooper shops and engine room were en-.
tirely destroyed. On the main floor Of
the barrel room were 1,400 or 1900
empty barrels, and in the cellar 400 more,
which were all consumed. The engine
room contained the engine and two
pumps, which were rendered worthless.
The agitator was also ruined. In the
tanks were 500 barrels Of refined oil,
ready for market, and valued at $500,
which was destroyed,
About 200 feet above the burning
building we're two iron tanks filled with
crude oil, which, OF course, were out oil
harms way. The stills were Immediate
" ~apposite the barrel house, but "a the
connecting pipes were all shut of. no
danger was unprecedented from that
source. The wind, too, was blowing In
the opposite direction.
About half-past six the walls Of the
burning building commenced to give
way, and two persons were injured, one
seriously, II not fatally, and the other
but slightly. David Nesbitt,aged twelve
years, q son OF Mr.. David Nesbitt, who
resides on 10Th street, near Jacob,
received injuries from which it lie
thought he may not recover. He was
passing around some barrels which had
haen taken from the building, when q
heavy piece OF burning timber struck
him, and knocking him over, crushed
him beneath il. His back and breast
were crushed in, and his hands slightly
burned. He also received serious In
ternal injuries. Patrick Gavin, a fire.
man working with the steamer United,
was struck on the head by falling bricks,
and thrown upon the edge Of a barrel.
He was badly stunned at frat, but soon
recovered sufficiently TO walk TO his home.
The refinery was owned and operated
Jointly by Messrs. Isaiah Warren & Co.,
OF this city, and the Camden Consolidated
Oil Company. Mr.. Warren estimates the
value Of the property destroyed at from
$4,000 to $4,000. The Camden Com
pany's insurance is upon the buildings,
fixtures and machinery, and is placed in
the following companies: $1,000 eachi IN
the Franklin, Of Wheeling, Ben. Frank
lin, OF Allegheny, Pa, and Ohio, Of Day
ton, Ohio. Messrs. Warren 4 Co. had
the oil, empty barrels, etc, insured for
S4,500, divided equally between the
Union, Of Philadelphia, the Aurora, Of
Cincinnati, and the City Of Pittsburgh,
Of Pittsburgh.
There is some uncertainty as to the
origin OF the Ere. Two men were on duty
at the refinery until midnight, when the
nightwatchman was left alone. A part
OF the nightwatchman's duty is to pump
the distillate-the run Of the oil after 1t ia
distilled-and 1t is Mr.. Warren's theory
that while attending TO some other work
aboutthe premises he allowed the pump
to run too long, when the agitator became
filed to OVERLOOKING with oil. The oil,
flowing over and falling to the floor and
cellar below, generated so much gas that
the building was set on fire either from a
reflector lantern or communication with
the FIRE under the boiler. The boiler was
60 feet from the barrel house, in a shed
apart from the main building, but Mr..
Warren thinks that the air must have
been charged with sufficient gas to com.
municate with the boiler.
1t Is Mr.. Warren's intention 10 resume
business Immediately. An agitator at
his old works will be enlarged and used
for the present, and the refinery will again
a" ~ G..