Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-06-09
DELAWARE GAZETTE AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

the flames spread to the surrounding build
ings, and before they could be subdued
five blocks had been burned.
RIVER OF FIRE.
The oil from scores of broken tanks ran
into the creek and was ignited by floating
debris. In few minutes the creek was
ablaze from shore to shore, and ms 1t was
carried down the stream death and destruc
ton followed in its wake. Everything in
fiammable took fire, and by the time it
reached Oil City all the bridges between
the two points were consumed.
Oil City is Is miles from Titusville. The
towns along the creek are Broughton,
Miller Farm, Pioneer, Petroleum Centre,
Rynd Farm, Housewife and McClintock-
Vile.
TITusvILLE, Pa, June 6.-Never in the
history of Titusville has such IA scene of
desolation presented itself as was unfolded
this morning as the Associated Press
representative entered the main thorough
fire. The first sight witnessed was four
men carrying the dead body of u man on a
stretcher. Within 10 minutes the sight be-
came 50 common that it ceased to Occasion
any surprise. At the present writing ii is
estimated that fully 100 persons have been
either
DROWNED OR BURNEp TO DEATH.
The money loss will run from 81 SOC, 900
TO S2,0O0,000 An idea of the amount of
territory covered by the flood and fire can
be obtained when it is stated that over two
miles were destroyed This includes rail
roads, factories, reilneries, private dwell
ings, &c.
THOUGHT HE'LL HAD BROKEN LOOSE.
OH Cry, Pa, June 6.-Few of the spec
tators were watching the hood when the
explosions occurred, and those who
escaped can give good idea of what hap
pened. ALI agree that there was n terrific
| explosion and that the air was filled with
flames. This was quickly followed by two
| other explosions. Men thought that hell
| had broken loose on earth, and they were
not apparently very far out Of the way.
| Three gasoline tanks had exploded almost
at the same time. The oil in the creek
bazed up, gas in the air burst into roar
ing flame and sheets of water, land and
air.
WE'RE ALL LITERALLY ABLAzE.
| Men, women and children were knocked
PROSTATE by the shock and many never
arose The multitude fled with screams
of anguish for the higher lands. In the
rush many of The weak were trampled
| upon and badly injured. Some were hurt
| by horses others leaped into the water and
| were drowned.
The flames in the air quickly burned
out, but they left huge volumes of black
| smoke across tue lace oil the heavens, be-
meath which ragged the fierce fire Of the
burning oil upon the water The many
/ submerged houses and shops along the
creek bottom were soon i'll flames. In
many of these houses the people were
confined. They could not escape for the
lire. Within sight of thousands who
HEARD THEIR PIrEoUs SCREAMS,
they burned to death or leaped into the
4 river and there persisted by both flood and
fire. Snch combined scene of destruc.
ton by two terrible elements was seldom
witnessed upon this earth. 1t is marvellous
that from this valley of death any were
saved alive. 1t is strange that out of this
mingling of lire and flood any houses
| were spareu