Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-23

DAMAGED-A DESoLATE SCENE.
There was dazzling fash Of lightning fol.
low ed by loud crash about 1880 today at the
corner of 26th and G streets northwest during
the progress Of the storm, and Immediately the
entire big gas reservoir at the south
west corner seemed to fairly squirt flames.
Bookkeeper W. H. c. Bailey of the Washington
Gas Company was in the Office of the company
just across the street and hearing the loud
crash rushed to the door.
Long tongues of fame from rents in the ton
OF the iron structure were rising high in the
air. The tall supporting columns Of cast iron
surrounding the tank had been snapped into
dozens of fragments.
AN EXPLOSION AvERTED.
The first break that had been made in the
the falling columns, was the only thing which
far reaching in its damage.
As it was the gas simply blazed at the open
ings as if they were huge burners and in this
way 500 900 feet of gas spent itself in illuminat-
ing the day.
Engine No. S, from Georgetown. was
promptly on hand and Foreman kurtz speedily
had his streams in working order. There was
nothing which could be done for the holder
itself except to allow the gas to burn out
Floods OF water, however, were poured on the
valves connecting the burned reservoir with the
still larger holder on the other side OF the
street Engine No. was also sent for. con-
nection by wire having been broken, but did
not remain.
THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
The theory among the officials and fremen
is that lightning struck one of the high col
umns, which. falling on the sheet-iron casing
of the reservoir, made a rent, and by the crush
Of the metals caused spark which
ignited the gas The other columns falling
made other rents in the casing and sent other
streams of fire flying upward.
One OF the falling columns struck the small
brick office at the corner, tearing q rent in the
wall. In the Office several workmen had taken
refuge and ii is remarkable that no one should
have been hurt.
A DEsoLArE SCENE.
The scene at the fire soon after the explosion
was one of desolation and the huge casing of
the reservoir was twisted in all manner Of
shapes and from three ragged holes in the
top, the gas still came out in streams burning
with bright fame.
The twelve cast iron columns which had
acted as supports for the tanks had been broken
into fragments and were scattered in all direc-
tons
The roof and wall of the brick Office was torn
open to the skylight. while throughout the en-
tire neighborhood a general atmosphere of gas
pervaded everything.
HALF A MILLION FEET OF GAS.
The reservoir at the time of the burning was
nearly full. containing about 500,O00 feet of
gas, its capabilities being SOC, 900 feet, making
1t the third largest in the city.
The reservoir was built in 1856. Il il hard to
come to an estimate Of the loss. The 500 600
feet OF gas was total loss, while
it is probable that much of the
old material of the reservoir
can be again used. The reservoir cost not les
than s50.0eo. The gas company, owing 10
the high rates, carried no insurance on its
property and hitherto has been Remarkably
fortunate in avoiding loss.
The fact Of the burning Of 500. COO feet Of
Illuminating material which never had an OBJ
portunity Of making . meter hum need
give no anxiety to the public 90
far as a supply Of gas il
concerned, as the supply which the company
has on hand at the other reservoirs q suijdcient
to meet the demand.