Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1892-06-07
a SINGULAR DISASTER.
Burning Oil on Raging Waters in
Pennsylyania-Awf Loss OF
Life and Property.

TTusvnLE, Pa, June THE heav,
rain that has been falling in this regioI
for week or more, eliminated earl,
Sunday morning in cloud burst, whicl
caused the already swollen streams tc
overflow their banks. To add to the hor
ror of the situation lightning struck sew
eral large tanks Of G6 proof oil on the
banks of Oil creek, and the burning oil
rapidly spread on top of the water and
through the streets, setting fire to many
buildings.
The flood and flames struck Oil City
and did enormous damage, and caused
great loss OF life. Although not as fatal
as at Titusville, Meadvile suffered in q
smaller degree. 1t is estimated that fully
100 persons have been either drowned or
burned TO death in this city.
The money loss will run from 81 ,50O,-
600 to $4,000 900.
An idea of the amount of territory COW
cred by the tlocd and fire can be obtained
when it ie stated that over two miles were
destroyed. This includes railroads, fac
tories. refinefies, private dwellings. etc.
Geo. Stevens, a prominent merchant
here, says the fire was caused by a spark
from the passing train on the Western
New York & Pennsylvania railroad, " hich
lgnited the oil in the tank alongside the
line. The oil set fire to every building
with which it came in contact. Mechan-
lc street was known as a residence street
for poor classes, and was simply put out
of existence. Not a dwelling on that
street remains standing. There is where
tie greatest loss of life occurred. The
fire and flame was 80 swift in it's destruc-
tion that whole families were swept away
before they realized that there was the
remotest danger.
Oil City.-A raging torrent, tank of
oil undermined and toppled into the food,
coal of fire from locomotive
passing over the bridge in the
city, series OF explosions along
he surface of the creek aud houses,
men, women and children were instantly
wrapped in flames. These are the causes
md effects so far as this place is con.
;erned. The inmates of the houses had
)ut to choose how to die-either drown
'r be burned to death. There was no
scape, and many chose the easier death
nd jumped into the water, bat even there
he fire found them.
Three gasoline tanks had exploded al
most at the same time. The oil in the
reek blazed up. The gas in the air burst
nto roaring flame and the water, land
nd air were literally ablaze.
Most women and children were knocked
rostrate. Many never arose. Some
Tho did found themselves in lake of
ames.
The multitude fled, with screams of
nguish, to the high ground. In the
lsh many of the weak were trampled
pom and badly injured. Some were
urt by horses, others ran and leaped
ito the water and were drowned.
In many of the houses people were
onfned. They could not escape for the
re. Within the sight of thousands who
card the piteous screams, they burned to
cath or eaped into the river and there
erished by both flood and fire.
Such a combined scene of destruction
= two terrible elements was seldom wit
assed upon this earth.
1t is marvellous that from the valley of
cath there we're any saved alive. [
Seventeen miles Of death and desolation
the story IN the terrible catastrophe
hich decimated the borders of Oil creek
! both sides.
The flood and fire have left ruins and /
reck, and it will take days before the I
cord OF death and destruction can be
imputed. I
This is the most awful disaster which {
IS ever come to this vicinity and has no t
'al in the United States except the t
hnstown flood.