Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-07-03
OIL EXPLOSION.

Warehouse at Louisviiic, hy'-Awfui
Burnings.
LoUIsvILrE KY, July l.--Five acres
OF fire was the awful sight Witnessed
at tho Standard Oil refinery at Fifth
and c streets yesterday morning. The
Immense structure was blazing at every
point and the heat was so intense that
even 200 yards away persons we're over
come. The following is list OF the
casualties;
Andrew Mcdonald, aged 10, badly
burned about the face and breast but
will recover
John Mcdonald, aged Ia, literally
roasted alive; can live but short time.
Dan o'Neil, aged IL, terribly burned
and will die
John Kline, aged %, frIghtfuliy
burned all over the body and can not
possibly recover
Severn Skene, aged Al, terribly burned
but will probably survive
J. ~ Pettigrew, aged As, badly, though
not fatally burned about the head and
breast
Arthur Yonkers aged IS, slightly
burned.
1t was at first reported that seven had
lost their lives and later that three were
killed and thirty-hve wounded, but IL Is
now believed that the above will cover
the casualties.
At the first intimation OF the explo-
sion all tho workmen who could do so
started TO run. Johnnie Kline, how
ever. stumbled and fell and his clothes
caught fire. The other men bravely re-
turned TO HIS assistance, but the fire
that enveloped him could not be extin-
guished until he was frightfully
burned.
Three little boys, Danny o'Neill and
Andrew and John Mcdonald, were
walking along the railroad track when
the explosion occurred. They We're
slightly 10 the east Of the tank. and the
wind blew the blaze directly down
upon them. Shrieldng with pain, they
impulsively jumped backward and into
the clear space on the western side OF
the track, Their clothes were on fire
and they ran down the track with the
bright blaze streaming after them. As
soon as the bystanders recovered from
the shock occasioned by their horrible
condition they pursued the boys Gov
ering them with coats they oxtinguished
the flames and laid them under tree
nearby. When an attempt was made to
remove O'Neirs clothes, great piece OF
flesh peeled of his face and body at
sugAtlosLch. .Ile was uucongiaus .apd
never uttered a cry.
FFt fa,
burned, will be total loss There is
no insurance, according TO the statement
of Edward l.. Goodwin, vice,president
OF the Standard Oil Company. Mr..
Goodwin said; ut is almost impossible
to estimate the loss We will first have
to find our bearings. And while at
this hour we do not think the
fire will spread any more, there is no
telling should Judge from present
appearances, that the loss on stock and
all would be between $50 900 and S40,
600"
The fire broke out at s:45 o'clock and
was in many respects remarkable ono.
The refinery is on the east side Of the
Louisville & Nashville railroad track,
but the tanks are scattered along II on
both sides. Last Saturday tank Of
crude oil came in on fiat car from
Cleveland. and IL was TO be turned into
the refinery vats. Some OF the work.
men thought the iron tank was
too hot for such a thing to
be done with safety. After
consultation 1t was postponed in the
hope that the weather would be
cooler. 1t did not prove 10 be, however,
and IL became necessary 10 run the oil
out OF the car tank to another one in
the yard. Inspector Severn Skeene took
John Pettigrew and another workman,
whose name could not be learned, with
him and they climbed on the car. They
mounted TO the manhead and were
about TO unscrew the cap when they
felt that there was a tremendous
pressure from the inside against it.
At first they decided not 20 open it,
but finally they changed their minds
and did so. In an instant there
was dull puff as the vapor escaped,
iilling the air all around. The gas, as
It is known, is heavier than the air and
IL sank to the ground, spa lvading out all
wind Almost in twinkling it reached
one of the sheds under which there was
a fire. There was flash as the inflam-
able vapor ignited, and Immediately
afterwards there was a tremendous ex-
plosion The tank was blown 10 pieces
and the hundreds OF gallons Of burning
oil were scattered all over the great
works.
A wall OF fire 800 feet high and nearly
900 feet long moved with lightning rap
idity to the buildings. In less time
than il takes to relate it tho canning
house, filled with thousands Of gallons
OF canned oil, the cooper shop
the carpenter shops, the pump and en-
gine house, the filling and lubricating
house, the storage house, the paint and
glue houses and 900 feet OF platform
we're all ablaze and burned furiously.