Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-25
ACRES OF BURNING OIL.
A FIRE WHICH WILL RAGE FOR
SEVERAL DAYS.

The Less Beyond Estimate-Cannon
Pouring Shot into Threatened and
Burning Tanks-The ArtilIerymen Put
to Flight and the Guns Left to be
DestrOyed-Fires Elsewhere
PHILADELPHIA, May "a, 10 A. M.-The
fire at the Atlantic Oil Works which
brJkeout at 10:9O o'clock last night,
spread during the night, and at $3.50
O'Clock this morning two additional
alarms were sent to the fire department.
The flames are still sweeping over the
works. About a dozen storage tanks have
burst, and considerable burning oil es-
capped. Efforts are being made to run of
the remainder in tanks. The paraffine
works, consisting of several brick build
ings, have been destroyed. They were
located to the north of the refinery. Al
though the wharf property and the re-
finery, Which is in close proximity to the
still, are in danger, it is thought that
with the force Of men at work they can
be saved. 1t is impossible to estimate
the exact extent of the loss, but it is over
100000. The last great fire at the At
lantic Refining CnmDany's works occurred
fve years ago.
PHILADELPHIA, May "a, 1910 P. NJ.
All the oil property at Point
Breeze is considered in peril. APP
plicatiOn has been made by
William L. Elkins, proprietor of the Bel
mont Oil Works, which are located be-
tween the Atlantic Company's property
and the Point Breeze Gas Works, to the
Chief Of Police to put the tug Stakley in
service, so as to aid the fire department
Al &c
Elkins has also made application to Gen.
Hartranft, commander of this division
of the State militia, to send a detail of the
Keystone Battery to blow up the tanks of
the Belmont works, and thus save the
property and prevent the fire from spread
ing to the gas works.
FIVE ACRES BURNED OVER.
PHILADELPHIA, May "a, 8 P. My
noon II tanks Of oil were ablaZe, and sew
eral more were in great danger. The
flames now spread over an area of five
acres, and will very likely continue to
burn for some days. At the same time
the fire is considered under control, that
is, the fremen feel confident that they can
keep it confined to the oil now burning.
This was, however, said at O'clock this
morning, and since then several explO-
sions have taken place, and a
change in the wind may
unexpected quarter. 1t is now said that
the loss will reach $600.000. Several can
non have been placed in readiness to be
used in tapping tanks and drawing off
their contents into the district already
burned over in case other tanks are en-
dangered. A change of wind will greatly
enhance the loss and the difficulty Of
keeping the fire within bounds. There is
no insurance in regular insurance cOmpa-
MES, but the oil company carries large
fund for self-insurance.
APT TO BURN SEVERAL DAYS.
PHILADELPHIA, May %, l A. Nat
midnight the situation was practically
unchanged. Late this afternoon a $4,000
barrel tank took fire, and cannon were at
once fired into it. Several holes were
made in the tank by a twelve-pOund pro-
jectile from naval howitzer, tearing the
whole plate from the centre. The oil
poured out in torrents, and gunners and
tiremen were obliged to run from the
burning fluid and leave the guns to be
destroyed. The oil then burned without
doing other damage. The heavens were
illuminated during the night by several
tanks bubbling over. The fire will be apt
to burn several days yet.
A DESTRUCTIVE BLAZE ON LONG ISLAND.
NEW YORK, May 24.-This afternoon
fire broke out in the box factory of the
Erie Preserving COmpany's works at Ra-
venswOod, Long Island city. The flames
spread rapidly, and in a short time the
building was mass of fire. The fire en-
gines were on hand promptly, but they
were useless, as no water was at hand.
and the entire structure was completely
destroyed. The flames attacked adjoining
buildings. The magnificent summer resi-
dence of John Engles, the Green Point
ship builder, was destroyed. The fire
spread to the Harris mansion, but only
the wooden railing around the roof was
destroyed.
''Bodine Castle'' also caught fire, but the
flames were soon eXtinguished. The Mel
son homestead was also burned, besides
several thousand feet of lumber piled up
on the dock. The flames were got under
control later. The Erie Preserving Com
pany's building occupied four lots, and
40 men and girls were employed there.
These will be thrown out of employment
until the company Tebuilds. The COM
pany estimates its loss at 100000. 1t is
I partly covered by insurance. Mr.. En-
gles' mansion was valued at $4,000 and
only insured for $500. The Nelson hOme-
stead was valued at S., 900.
NEWSPAPER OFFICE MARRIED.
TORONTO, May 24.-The Mail building,
one of the handsOmest edifices in the city,
was partially destroyed by fire this morn
ing. The southern wing is almost ruin
The northern wing will probably be saved.
The fire is said to have originated in the
press room.
TWELVE MEN SUFFOCATED.
EDINBURGH, May PA fire occurred
to-day in the coal pit at Porto BellO, three
miles east Of Edinburgh. Twelve men
were suffOcated.