The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-05
Tanks and Works of the Standard Oil Com
pany DestrOyed-The Fire Started in
an Unusual Manner
CleveIand's Entire Loss Thought to
Be One Million Dollars.
Heavy Loss by Flood at Akron, O.-The
Beautiful Shade-Trees at Spring.
field Ruined by the Storm.
AT CLEVELAND.
Remarkable and Destructive Combination
of Fire and Water,


CLEVELAND, Feb. 3-The elements COM
bined to-day in q very successful endeavor to
work all possible damage to the interests of
Cleveland property-owners. Late Friday
night binding rain storm set in, flooding
cellars, filling sewers, rendering the streets
almost impossible. Early this morning the
fire fend began vigorous onslaught on the
extensive works located in Kingsbury run,
and at this hour (midnight) he is busily en-
gagged in eating up valuable property. About
6 O'Clock in the morning loud report was
heard by the people residing in the vicinity
of the Great Eastern oil-works. located Just
west of Wilson avenue in Kingsbury run. In
an instant bright column of flame was
lifted in the air and it was discovered the
contents of an oil tank were on ire. AL
alarm was turned on and Eve engines
promptly responded and were soon playing
upon the fire and surrounding tanks. For
tunately, the tank was not filled with
oil, and consequently the burning fluid
did not boil being confined within
the limits of the iron reservoir. About
5000 barrels crude petroleum were de-
stroyed, and the iremen, thinking all danger
return to their houses. But the danger was
by no means past The heavy rainfall
during the night had swollen Klngsbury run
to twenty times its usual size and a perfect
torrent of water was pouring down the gorge
carrying with it the burning oil. When the
iremen took into consideration the fact that
the run was lined by score or more of
tanks and stills, they were convinced that the
same danger which had threatened he
Great Western Works also threatened those
below. They therefore moved their ap-
establishment OF Merriam q Morgan, short
distance above the main works OF the
Standard Oil works, and a quantity OF oil in
the water was found to be on fire; but by
prompt action the flames were extinguished
confined to section of fenc-
ing. 1t was impossible to head off
all the burning oil, and the tiremen who were
working with might and main to stop the
fire at this point began to realize the situa-
ton was becoming alarming The water
was constantly rising in the run, and floating
oil was making rapid headway toward the
Standard companys works, just east of
Broadway and north of the n. Y, p. q o.
railroad track. Preparations were made to
meet the burning oil when it should arrive.
Every fire of the Standard works on the
north side of the railroad was put out and
other precautions taken. The engines were
ordered to remain on the ground ready for
any emergency which might arise and the
firemen awaited developments. They did
not wait long. At just 1870 several distinct
explosions were heard and instantly tho
gorge was filled with mass of seething fire.
A strong wind Immediately sprang up and as
the dense volume of black smoke began to
wind its way skyward in huge columns it
was discovered four stills and three tanks
and a large number of small tanks connected
with the stills were on fire. A scene of
| the widest CONSERVATION then ensued.
| The fire engines already on the ground were
| nut to work on tanks not burning. The
huge pump of the Standard company was
! put in motion and, from a tank standing on
| cliff above the vortex OF fire water was
supplied 10 three extra lines of hose furnished
| by the oil company The water in the run
| had submerged all pipes connecting the tubes.
and it was, therefore, impossible to open the
valves and draw the oil from the tanks in
| imminent danger, The flames grew more
| fierce with each succeeding second, and the
scene was frightful one. 1t was useless to
| attempt to extingush the fire, and the fire.
men stood by powerless to prevent the de-
structon of property The fire burned
fercely. About half-past o'clock the flames
communicated with two more tanks, and at
$50 o'clock tonight another making eight
| in all, were on fire. In addition to the tanks
and stills, an agitator, pumping g-house and
! about SOC feet of trestle were destroyed. The
| firemen believe they have the fire under con-
troll at midnight and do not anticipate any
| further spread. Great crowds of people
thronged in the vicinity of the fire all the
| afternoon, and tonight every man and
woman who could reach the place has visited
the scene. The rain still falls in torrents,
and the firemen, who have been on duty
since morning, are nearly exhausted.