Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-05-18
Great Fire at Oil City.

OIL CITY, Pa, Nav 13-Ye ester
day afternoon lightning struck 20,
O0O-barrel tank belonging to the Key
stone Refining Company, located on
Oil creek, about q mile and a half
north of this city. The tank contain.
ed about Is 900 barrels of oil. and 1t
1890 this morning the petroleum
boiled over and ran into the creek and
down stream about three-qusrters OF
Q mile. Fortunately q strong vino
forced the burning oil to the opposite
bank, thus saving the works of the
Penn Refining Company, Continental
Oil Company and tho Union Rein
ing Company.
The overflow, however, ignited an.
other tank containing 10000 barrels.
Great fears are entertained for the
safety of the city when this tank boils
over. Every precaution has been ta.
ken to avert the catastrophe, but the
wind is changing and blowing direct
ly toward the city, and should the
overflow be large one, great loss OF
property must ensue. All the availa-
BILE hose in the city, public and priv
ate, has been pressed into service.
Crowds of people viewed the magnifi-
cent spectacle all day.
At midnight the Gse was still burn
ing and the outcome was uncertain.
Should the big tank now blazing boil
over. which may occur between this
and morning, the town will be in
danger, although the FIRE is about
two miles up the creek. All the
structures this sids of the scene are
being saturated with water, hose is
laid on all bridges and The fire depart
ments of Mesdville and Titusyille
have arranged to send assistance ct
moments warning in case the posi-
bility actually takes place. There
will be ct least Al 600 barrels of oil
consumed and other damage occasion
ed, amounting in all to probably 500,
600 in case the FIRE goes no further.
THE CRISIS COMES.
OIL CRY. Pa, Nay l4-2:30 A. M
AT I:3O this morning such citizens
as were sleeping were awakened by
q general alarm which told them that
q tank had burst its borders aud start.
ed down the creek. The Western
New York & Pennsylvania railroad
bridge took fire and other property
along the creek began burning and
the flaming oil fostsd on towards the
center of the town.
The great overflow, watched for
with 80 much terror, occurred at ex.
actly l:30. The tank vomited its
flames aud contents and huge islands
Of burning oil, some of them a hun.
dred feet in diameter, foated down
the creek. The boom proved useless
and the fierce mass of fire swept on,
burning several dwellings, until it
reached the railroad bridge, two miles
below. The bridge is still burning,
As are also the large barrel. works
close to IL. Steam whistles are shriek-
ing for help, and on the bosom Of the
creek are spots Of fre floating silently
but surely down stream into the city.
The FIRE is now more than ever
threatening the town. There ia little
sleep within the city limits. Humid.
reds are hurredly making their way
to the scene of the fire. Mothers with
babies in their arms, young girls with
shswls thrown over their heads,
frightened children aad grave men are
silently watching the onward march
of the flames. Little is said bat much
10 feared. Strssms arc now being
played upon the houses in streets
some distance from the FIRE.
The tank again boiled over at 2:l5
and more patches Of fame are floating
down the stream Another alarm has
Just been sounded. The refneries
thought to have been saved are again
In danger. Members of the FIRE de-
partment are becoming exhausted.
Whistles are constnstly being sound
ed for assistance. The loss ia said to
be about $3.50, 600. but if tho residence
portion goes 1t will be far greater.
Bis A. M-The FIRE is now hoped to
be under control. but the danger ia not
over yet. The railroad bridge has fall
en- and is floating down the creek.
By 9 O'Clock the FIRE was virtually
over, and the residene portion of tho
town bad escaped. The total loss
will be about $50. 900. including dam
age to Eve buildings. the railroad
bridge and the barrel. works, besides
the oil The latter is valued at SAL,
900. The totxl insurance is $42, 900
Mr.. J. X. Britain, the Greeu-
Vile, Pa, crayon artist, while here
received several new orders from our
citizens. He will not locate here
permanently but expects to return
here occasionally until he leaves for
Chicago. Any more Of our citizens
desiring bis work should see him
soon. A picture. that Of Col. Lowry,
cen be seen at the Lowry House.