The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-05-16

Lightning Fires the Oil Tanks at
Jersey City.
Six Men Trying to Extinguish the
Flames Burned to Death.
Over a Million Dollars Worth or
Property Destroyed In
Few Hours.
Tank After Tank Caught Up by
the Flames and Reduced
to Ashes.
FURIOUS FLAMES.

FURIOUS FLAMES.
A Stroke OF Lightning Fires the Standard
OH Works at Jersey Cny-Five Buildings,
Twelve Tanks and other Property VAL
ued at s1,5Oo, 900 Destroyed-Six Lives
Lost.
NEw YoRK, May 10-The Standard Oil
Works at Jersey City were struck by light
ming early THIS morning. and seven tanks
have already exploded. The fire is still
raging with terrible force, and more disss-
ter is feared.
IOa. m.-Fire in Standard Oil Company's
Works, New Jersey, is still raging and is
now near the tanks of the Jersey Central
track, where 15O,OO0 barrels are stored.
Thus far 500, coo barrels of oil have been de-
stroyed, including 100000 barrels of refLed
In the store house. It is now thought the
loss will reach $3.50, 000
JERSEY CRY, May 10, 1880 =. m The
oil fire Is still raging. The Eagle Refinery
is in danger. II the winds continue in the
southeast the remaining buildings may be
saved. Six lives have been lost.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The works Of the Standard Oil Company
ct Communipaw, the most extensive in the
country, are on fire, and about one-half OF
the property is now destroyed. The fire
started during q 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.
,toot Cd
with three huge tanks, and they exploded
simultaneously with terrific force. Frag-
ments of iron were hurled distance of half
mile, and the burning oil was scattered in
all directions. The entire Fire Department
has been summoned, but thei: services were
almost useless, as the burning streams OF
oil poured through the yard, firing tank
after tank on the east side and licking up
buildings. The stoIehouse, solid struc-
ture where barreled oil was kept. was
attacked by the flames and succumbed. The
engine house was next, and the oil and water
pump houses, sunken tanks and the ma
chine shop quickly followed. The whole
easterly side of the works is seething mass
of flames. Despite the tremendous heat
and blind ng smoke, the firemen are work
ing valiantly In the hope of checking the
progress of the flames. but it appears at this
hour that the vast works will be destroyed,
and it is feared the flames will reach out
and consume ,Ioperty in the neighborhoOd.
1t is estimated that there were 5000, 900
gallons OF oil in the tanks, and the loss OF
property already laid in ashes will reach
$1,000
BEGINNING OF THE FIRE.
The shaft of lightning, OF unequalled brill
liancy and brightness, that struck the first
tank was seen by the 6remen of Engine No.
10, IN Halliday 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 tie flames, and all ef-
forts were directed to prevent them from
spreading. This was partially successful
until O'clock, when tank No. exploded
with terrific report, and the blazing oil
spread with lightning rapidity.
Chief Terrier and number of men were
within ten feet of this tank when it ex-
ploded, and 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 see which way one was going, and il is
thought that the unfortunate men ran down
to the river and were lost.
LIST OF THE LOST.
The names of the missing are:
John Herbert, Superintendent
Joseph Jenkins foreman of the cooper
shop.
George Davis, engineer.
Henry kislon, laborer.
Dick COnklin, labOrer.
William Curry boiler maker.
the waves of flaming oil rolled in upon
the engine house. carpenter shop, machine
shop, boiler and pump room, two ware
L
aud they were heap OF ruins in an hour
Tank after tank was caught by the flames,
until seven out of twenty-siX on the ground
were blazing. The tracks of the Pennsyl-
vsnia Road also caught fire. and several roll
ing tanks on rails were only saved by having
earth piled on top of them. The bay was q
sheet of flaming oil, aud the long trestIe
bridge of the railway, about quarter of a
mile long. running from the works to Black
Toms Island, were also burned down to the
waters edge.
MOURNING FOR THE DEAD.
At the boarding house of the Bagle Re
hnery, close by, the scene was painful in the
extreme. The newly-made widows congre-
gated in one of the rooms, hope and despair
alternating in their distracted minds and
lsnenting the terrible fate of loved ones,
from whom they had parted but few hours
before. No bodies have been found, for the
heat renders close approach to the ruins inn
possible.
The burning works extend, with those OF
the Eagle Refinery, about. three-qusrters of a
mile The buildings that have been des
troyed were situated in the midst of the
tanks. The wind is southeast, blowing of
sea, and therefore there is no danger of
other tanks exploding Had the wind been
northerly. the boarding house and Eagle
Works would certainly have persisted also.
The fire is now under control. IL is
thought the loss will be over 81 SOC, geo.
Twelve tanks, eighteen cars, six barges. a
dredger, three docks and five brick build
ings 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 General Grants Mother.
JERSEY CRY, May 11-Mrs. Hannah s.