The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-17
THE PARKER OIL FIRE.

lI1E PARhER OlL Fl1E.
UNPRECEDENTED DESTRUCTION OF oIL-LARGE
IRON TANKS EXPLODE WITH GREAT FORCE
THE RIVER ON FIRE AND THE CITY MAR
RowLY ESQ APES BURNING DOWN.
[lY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
JAZZ PARKER. Pa. August l6. 1879.
Parker city has just marvelously escaped destruc-
ton. The lightning on Thursday morning at FIVE
% clock struck what is known the Munhsn
tank. located at the conjunction of two
small ravines. leaving the river on the
east side about quarter of mile apart. directly
opposite Parker. and nclosing Kellytown in semi
circle extending back half mile. The lightning
split the tank, which Contained 10000 barrels of
oil. and sending two rivers OF fire into
the Allegheny, destroyed quite a number Of
dwellings and oil rigs that stood in their paths
On the ravine south stood the Chajant & Robinson
tank. containing 2u0oO barrels OF OIL which took
fire and promised lively blaze. force of men at
mounted tho tank. and. by the APP
plication of wet blankets. smothered the
flames. They could not kill the smouldering
fire, which continued "a until eight O'Clock
last evening. when number of holes cut in the
tank. under the impression that direct application
of water would prevent any further outburst The
contact of fresh air with the smouldering oil
set it ablaze and in hfteen minutes aftcrwsrd
terrific explosion followed which blew the top OF
the tank forty feet in the air, carrying with it ten
men, who were drilling the holes. Their names and
injuries received have already been published The
oil burned gradually until ten o'clock. when
aow took place and the burning fluid ran down into
the river. but in small quantity that it did no
particular harm. VIZ r
ANOTHER EXPLOSION. ssh Afa.
hon
place. throwing the oil upon the Crawford twenty
thousand barrel tank. which FULL located just
north. The burning oil caused the generation Of
gas In the Crawford in sufficient quantities cause
explosion such as has nevers before
been Witnessed or heard There not
a moments warning; and the destruction was
Zng in all directions for distance of three full
miles. while the concpssion was great that nearly
all the windows on River avenue were shattered in
plate glass quarter Of an inch thick.
in the windows of some Of the large stores. The
miles. The oil in the tank caught the flame aud
solid sheet OF fire rolled into the river
Snd aen Of Se feet across M for
half mile down the stream. sending the flame in
serpentine curves 400 feet in the air and Gaping
them with dense black smoke which shut out the
light Of day and placed the city in brilliant glare
A PANIC.
AS the explosion took place and the people
living the fiat business portion of the city
the 10000 barrels of burning oil rushing
the river ssd with saeh sp sagd taS
it to the Parker side, aud there was
enacted OF the widest scenes ever looked upon
The people became panic stricken in an instant and
most completely lost their heads. Men, women and
children frantoally rushed to and fro through the
their hands and giving voice to the most agoniz
ing screams and the men-well the men
ss ss esss sa The e. sSs Finally any
thon there rush. Mothers picked up their |
little ones and sought the most direct way up the
precipitous bluff. Men pulled their wives along
with suddenness that seemed almost bru-
tai. and in some instances carried them upon
their backs Houses left without any attempt
to save even jcwelry and such other articles
OF value might be carried about the person They
thought death was shadowing them, and were mind
full only of personal safety. At one time the streets
there are only two of theml on the fat. running
lengthwise, were fairly packed with wild ungov
ernabe reasoness people, forcing each other along
aud complaining because speedy progress was not
made. 49, & B#N Af
Those standing on the bluff and safe from all
HARM describe the when the river was liter
ally on fire one grand beyond human conception
and beyond the power of pen to describe. 1t was
awful in it's sublimity, and even they |
were awed and made breathless by the picture
The burning oil touched the Parker side at
point overhanging Mikes run. three-q of
mile south. and the flames high that houses
located in this point 800 feet down the river bank
endangered and we're only saved by the appli
cation of wet blankets. In half hour after the oil
the fire then began to hug both shores, but It had
spent all danger to the city had passed
by
ANOTHER TANK ABIAZE.
The oil from the Crawford tank set fire to the
loading tank containing 10000 barrels of OIL and it
is now burning furiously, together with the oil in
the Chaltant Robinson tank. The first
named tank is expected to overflow. but
danger is anticipated most of
the oil will be consumed before the overflow takes
place. The city at this hour (quarter past nue) is
lighted up with the brightness Of the sun. The
element has subsidized. and all is now quiet in the
city In few hours only the remnants Of
the tank and the scorched hills on the
side OF the river will be left to tell the tale Of
the fearful oil conhagfation. but will not furnish
even the semblance of an idea OF what
transpired. The loss will reach 100000. and
will be felt principally by the United
lines. 1t is rumored that two of the men hurt by
the explosion have died. but the rumor cannot be
traced to any reliable When the oil from
the Chalfant tank touched the river it caused
of water three feet high to splash against the
Parker bank. raising boats high and dry upon the
shore. Forty feet Of the Allegheny Valley Railroad
washed away by the OIL and passengers had to be
transferred from train to the other and by boats
to the Parker side. to make connections with the
Parker and Harms City line.
LIST OF LOSSES. III
The losses are, far can be obtained :-Munhall
Co., $16,00O Granam Oil Company, SO, 900: United
Pipe Line, S45,OO0; l. Leisey Co.. $1,000: Parker
and Karus City Railroad, 81 900; Graham Il Jackson
mills. 500; A. l.. Mier, 500; w. H. Piper. 900;
j. McNerny $780, Fenton, $500; Yinglng, 800:
Allegheny Valley Railroad 81 000 W. Dee, $780, Grand
Loading Rack, $500; Parker Merchants. broken glass;
$1,000. very small proportion Of the loss
covered by insurance.