The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-11
Loss of Million and a Half in Property and
Six Human Lives-A Terrible Scene
Mourning the Dead.
Destruction in Various Parts of the
Country by Electricity.
Burning of Animals and Other Property at
Av0ca, IA Sash and Blind Factory
in New York-Other Fires.
TRUCK BY LIGHTNING,
Jersey City Oil Tanks and Other Property
Burned-Six Lives Lost.

Jersey City Oil Tanks and Other Property
Burned-Six Lives Last
New York, May 10.-The works of the
Standard Oil Company at Commuinpaw, the
most extensive in this country, are on fire,
and about one-half the property is now de-
stroyed. The fire started during a severe
storm this morning. One of the large tanks
near the shore was struck and exploded by
lightning The burning oil poured out like
an angry river, and flowed down the avenues
between the rows of enormous tanks toward
the river In a short time the flames COM
municated with three huge tanks, and they
exploded simultaneously with terrific force.
Fragments of iron were hurled distance of
half mile, and the burning oil was scat
tered in all directions. the entire fire de-
partment has been summoned, but their
services are almost useless, as the burning
streams of oil poured through the yard, and
firing tank after tank on the east side and
licking up buildings The storehouse, a
solid structure where barreled oil was kept,
was attacked by the hames and succumbed.
The engine-house went next, and the oil and
water pump-houses, sunken tanks and
the machine-shop quickly followed,
and the whole easterly side OF the works is
seething mass of flames. Despite the tremen-
dous heat and binding smoke, the fremen
are working veliantly in the hope of check
ing the progress of the flames, but it appears
at this hour that the vast works will be de-
stIoyed, and it is feared the flames will
reach out and consume property in the
neighborhood. People are deserving their
homes and moving out what is valuable of
their effects 1t is estimated that there were
1900, 600 gallons of oil in the tanks, and the
loss of property will reach $1,500,000.
THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRE.
The shaft of lightning of unequaled bril-
liancy and brightness that struck the first
tank was seen by the firemen of engine No
10, in Holiday street, Jersey City, one mile
away, and the engine at once started for the
scene. 1t was soon discovered to be useless
work to play upon the flames, and all efforts
were directed to prevent them from spread
ing. This was partially successful until
O'Clock, when tank No. exploded with a
terrific report and the blazing oil spread with
lightning rapidly.
The waves of flaming oil had rolled in upon
the engine house, carpenter shop, machine
shop, boiler and pump room, two warehouses;
were heap of ruins in an hour. Tank after
tank was caught by the flames, until seven
out of twenty-sx on the ground were blaz-
ing. The tracks of the PENNSYLVANIA road
also caught fire, and several rolling tanks on
rails were only saved by having earth piled
on top OF them. The bay was sheet of fam
ing oil, and the long trestle bridge of the rail-
way, about quarter of mile long, running
from the works to Black Toms Island, was
also burned down to the waters edge.
Tl,o httrt n.rl-- a1yfa a. -, -
the Eagle refinery about three-quarters of
mile. The buildings that have been DESTROYED
were situated in the midst of the tanks. The
wind is southeast, blowing off sea, and there
fore there is no danger of other tanks explod
ing. Had the wind been northerlv, the
clearinghouse and Eagle works would GER
tainly have persisted also.
The fire is now under control. 1t is
thought the loss will go over million and a
half
Twelve large tanks eighteen cars, six
barges, dredger, three docks, and five brick
buildings were destroyed. The quantity of
oil consumed is not known. Among the
losers, besides the Standard Oil Company. are
several other firms, who each lose from
400 TO 700 barrels of cylinder oil, which was
stored in one of the warehouses.
DEATH OF SIX MEN.
Chief Terrier and a number of men were
within ten feet of this tank when it ex-
pioded, ana were saved almost by miracle
Dropping the hose, which was burned to
ashes, they fed for their lives. When they
mustered together at safe distance, six of
their number were found missing. The
smoke was so dense that it was impossible to
which way one was going and it is
thought that the unfortunate men ran down
to the river and were lost. The names of the
missing are John Herbert superintendent;
Joseph Jenkins, foreman OF the cooper-shop;
George Davis engineer. Henry Kiglon la
borer; Dick Conklin, laborer; VIM. Curry,
boiler-maker.
At the boardng-house of the Eagle Rein
cry, close by the scene was painful in the
extreme. The newly-made widows congre-
gated in one of the rooms hope and dspair
alternating in their distracted minds, and la
mentlng the terrible fate of loved ones, from
whom they had parted but few hours be-
fore. No bodies have been found, for the
heat renders close approach to the ruins inn
possible.