The New York herald., 1879-12-13
RED ROCK DESTROYED
AnnihilatiOn of a Town in the Oil
Regions of Pennsylvania.
A TERRIBLE FIRE.
Hundreds Of People Homeless One Hundred and Sixty
Thousand Dollars Worth Of Property Destroyed
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.l

By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
BRADFORD. Pa. Dec. IL. 1879.
Red Rock one OF the most enterprising towns in
the bradford oil district. destroyed by fire this
morning It was the most destructive confag ration
that has occurred in the district. Eighty
buildings were burned the district covering
twelve acres Tho total loss is esti-
mated at $lG0 000--insurance light. The fire started
last night. we'll the side hill had been
cleaned out preparatory to torpedoing. the tubing
being left out Of the WE'LL One Of the hands passing
by with lantern the gas caught. consuming the rig
ana destroying $50 barrel tank of oil. The fuid
ran down the hill and communicated with tank
owned by T. o. Emerson and containing
$4,000 barrels of oil. The monster iron
tank burned for hours. the blaze being
plainly visible at Bradford. distance of six miles.
The tank was located in position that commanded
the heart of the town. Embankments were thrown
up and avery precaution taken to save the place
from destruction bot without avail. The Bradford
fire companies sent for. but at a late hour 1t
believed that the tank would not burst. and the
men sent home.
BuRsTING OF THE GREAT TANK.
Between three and four O'Clock this morning the
upper bands of the great tank fell in with crash
and the tank burst. The burning oil ran out;
huge fiery wave jumped high over the embankmcnts
and spreading to the extent of three hundred feet.
swept through the heart OF the town. which literally
melted away before the The burning oil cOursed
through the streets fully four feet in Depth wave
of fire would bound against . house, jump over
the roof and in less time than it would take to write
description Of the disaster the entire town was in
flames. 1t was truly grand sight. Had it not been
for tho alarm sounded about midnight the loss Of
life would have been great. AS it people barely
had time to escape with their lives. J. Curtis.
n
| enter his house and carry forth his sick
| wife the house was ON fre. The burning oil
swept through the town like tidal Little or
nothing was saved. Not store or saloon is left
| standing and one hundred families are home
| less tonight. The destruction was complete. The
trestle of the Olean. Bradford and Warren Railroad
| was burned and trains delayed.
| SOME THE LOSSES.
| The principal losses follows:-
Bacon Oil Company. two rigs. two 25Obarrel tanks.
| full Of oil, 5000.
| e. .. Emerson. 25.OO0-barrel iron tank. full Of
oi four rigs. three 25Obarre tanks full of OIL
6O0-barrel tank. full. $45. 600.
Pittsbury Oil Company one rig. one $50 barrel and
| one 6OO-barrel tank. both full Of OIL $4,000.
James Is. White. Post Office and hardware store
(mail matter all savedi $1,000: insurance. $1,000.
H. o. Burt. 81. 900; insurance. $4,000.
Thomas Parker Tuna Valley Hotel. $4,000; insur
ance. $500.
Theodore Bsetzhold. boots and shoes. $500.
Lefever l. Hooker. Merchants Hotel. $4,000; nc
insurance.
A. Gersen. clothing. 81. 900; insurance. $3.50.
L. NJ Chase Co.. dry goods and groceries. 5000
| insurance. $4,000.
Dr. J. w. Folvell. drug store. $27OO; insurance
$1,000.
Mrs. G. W. williams. millinery store .nd dwelling
house. $500.
Twinly Brothers. livery stable. $1,000.
A. Judd. boarding house. $1,000.
r. scheckler. barber shop and two buildings
$1,000.
Charles Webster Co., tank builders. $500.
| N. II. Edwards Co., Foxburg Iron Works. tools
| &C., So 600.
NJ. NJ. Thorton. Red Rock House, 900.
Smith Mcdonald. Exchange Hotel. $500.
! HELP FoR THE sUYYERKRs.
The citizens Of adjoining towns came nobly to the
rescue. throwing their houses open to the sufferers
| Bradford contributed 81. 600 and provisions.
Red Rock IL situated about five miles east from
Bradford. Mexican county. and contained about one
Thousand inhabitants 1t was built entirely OF
wood. Much of the business OF the town con.
nected with the oil trade.
Relief committees have been formed to render aid
at Gllmor. Derrick and Bradford Mayor Broder. of
Bradford. telegraphed to Red Rock as follows:-
''Call us for all help necessary"
James Broder. Mayor Of Bradford. Pa. sent tel.
egram to the President of the Western Union Tele-
graph Company ss follows:-
Red Rock. neighboring town. has been destroyed
by fire. Two hundred families homeless. Can
you assist us fnsnciallyy
The Western Union Telegraph Company will
ccive and forward any contributions sent to its
Offices.