Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1883-05-18
BLAZING OIL.
a Tank struck by lightning and Sew
craI Lives and Large Amount o.
PrODerty DESTROYED.

at Communipaw, New Jersey, the most
extensive in the country, caught fire
during severe storm on the 10th.
One Of the large tanks was struck by
lightning, and exploded The burning
oil poured out like an angry river, and
flowed down the avenues, between
rows of enormous tanks, toward the
river. In short time the flames com.
lmunicated with three huge tanks, and
they exploded simultaneously with
terrific force. Fragments of iron we're
hurled distance of half mile, and
the burning oil scattered in all direc.
tons. The entire fire department was
Summoned, but their services were al
most useless, as the burning stream
of oil poured through the yard. firing
tank after tank on the east side, and
licking up buildings and store houses.
The SOLID structure where barreled oil
was kept was attacked by the flames
and succumbed. The engine house
went next, and then the oil and water
pump houses, sunkcn tanks and ma
chine shops soon followed. The whole
easterly side Of the works were
seething mass of flames. Despite the
trcm ndous heat and binding smoke,
the firemen worked violently in the
hope Of checking the progress of the
flames, but the vast works were de-
stroyed. The people deserted their
homes and moved out what was valu-
able Of their effects. 1t is estimated
that there were 100000 gallons of oil
in the tanks, and the loss of property
already laid in ashes will reach ST.
000,0 Waves of burning oil had
rolled in upon the engine house, car
lpenter shop, machine shop, boiler and
pump rooms, two warehouses, the
cooper shop and blacksmith shop, and
they were heap of ruins in an hour.
Tank after tank was caught by the
flames, until seven ont Of twenty-six
on the ground were blazing. The tanks
OF the Pennsylvania Railway also
caught fire, and several of the rolling
tanks on the rails were only saved by
having earth piled on the top Of them.
The bay was sheet of flaming oil,
and the long trestle bridge on the
railroad, about "a quarter of mile
long, running from the works to Black
Toms Island, was also burned.
Six lives have been lost. Chief Fer.
rier and number of his men were
within ten yards of one of the tanks
when it exploded, and some were saw
ed almost by miracle. Dropping
the hose, which was soon burned to
ashes, they fled for their lives. When
they had mustered together at safe
distance, six Of their number we're
missing. The smoke was so dense
that il was impossible to tell which
way one was going, and it is thought
that the unfortunate men ran down to
the river and were lost. Their names
are John Herbert, Superintendent; DO,
seph Jenkins, foreman cooper; George
Davis, engineer; Henry Kegler and
Dick Conklin. laborers, and William
Curry, boiler maker. The burning
works extended, with those of the
Eagle refinery, about tbree-quarters
of mile inland. The buildings that
have been destroyed were situated in
the midst of the tanks.
PROPERTY DESTROYED.
1t is thought tho loss will exceed
l 81, 100000 Twelve large tanks. is
cars, six barges, a dredgery three
docks and five brick buildings are de-
stroyed. The quantity of oil consum.
ed is not known. Among the losers.
besides the Standard Company. are
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