Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-19
AN OIL EXPLOSION.
one Man Instantly Killed By the Burning
Oil and Several Others Receive Severe
i"juTles-The Loss Will Reach About
$4,000.
PHILADELPHIA. Nov IA

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. Is.
An explosion of a tank of oil at the Pbiia-
delphia Lubric Company's works on the Deb
aware river, at the foot of Moore street, Phil.
adesphia, this morning, resulted in the death
OF man and the probable death of boy, and
seriously injured four others. 1t also caused
the partial destruction of the establishment
The victims are Alexander Banks, aged 40,
who was burned 20 a crisp; Charles Marshal,
a boy aged II, cannot be found; Joseph Rob-
lnson, Patrick Doyle, Charles Mclean and
Arthur Gruebee who will die from their in
juries.
A gang of men numbering about l5 were
at work repairing stone foundation under a
large iron still which contained a50 barrels of
crude oil. The repairs had been partially
completed and several of the men were en-
gagged il plastering up the interior walls
when the man hole of the still was blown OF,
setting the oil on fire and tiltlng over the
still, causing the burning oil to fall on the
men below.
Alexander Banks had charge of the gang
and was working immediately under the tank
when the explosion took place. While the
rescuing party was searching around after
the victims, his body was observed living on
the ground close to the foundation wall, and
surrounded with blazing oil. One of the men
rescue him, and notwithstanding the protests
of his companions crawled along the ground
after one of the fremen had saturated his
clothing with water. When within reach of
the unfortunate man, he grasped his right
foot, but when he made All effort to draw the
body out, the mans foot parted from the
body. Cavanaugh dropped it and hastily
reached place of ssfetv, leaving the body
to the flames A few minutes after Cavan-
augh escaped, the tank fell and Banks body
was hid from view. Charles Mclean and
Gueoer were also found lying close to the
burning still, the former being unconscious
Several other men, who were working close
to the still at the time of the explosion, were
also burned but their injuries are compare
lively slight.
All of the injured were taken to the Penn
sylvania Hospital, where their wounds were
dressed.
Soon after the explosion occurred the burn
ing Oil, which had run from the still when it
careened, fowed along the ground, and COM
ing in contact with two wooden tanks partial
ly buried in the ground, set them on fire
These tanks contained 600 and 500 barrels of
oil respectively, and notwithstanding that the
fremen directed water on the sides and threw
earth on the taps, the flames spread and soon
communicated with the oil. Once ignited
they were doomed to destruction. The fire.
men next directed their efforts toward pre-
venting the flames from spreading TO large
iron tank which contained 800 barrels of tar.
Five streams of water were directed on il to
keep the sides cool, but their exertions were
fruitless as the contents took fire and at one
time threatened the destruction of the entire
eastern end of the works. At / o'clock the
fire was well under control. The loss will
reach about $4,000; insurance $4,000.
The body of the boy, Charles Marshall was
recovered.