New-York tribune., 1900-07-05
LIGHTNING FIRES OIL.
STRIKES TANK OF STANDARD COMPANY
AT BAYONNE
FLAMES SPREAD RAPIDL.Y-sIxTEEN TANKS
BURNED-WORKS PRACTICALLY
DESTROYED

Lightning struck a large tank in the crude
oil department of the Standard Oil Works. at
Constable Hook, near Bayonne. little before
o'clock this morning. and the oil caught fire.
The tank struck in the end OF the
yards near Twenty-secOnd-st. From IL flames
spread TO four other nearby tanks. The oil re-
leased spread over the yards and carried the fire
toward the water edge. The flames reached high
into the air.
The entire Bayonne Fire Department
called out. and the big whistle the refinery OF
the company summoned the fire brigades OF the
plants
The Standards tugs ran into the docks. and
when the flames spread toward the water. towed
out the steamers and sailing tanks They then
drenched the piers and tried 10 stop the flow
of oil to hold the fire in check.
An hour after the fire broke out it began to
reCede somewhat. but there was stiu consider
able danger that the flames would spread to
the piers The oil ran over a considerable space
in the yards and blazed up ferceIy- The tanks
which burned are said to have contained about
five thousand gallons of oil each Some build
tngs close 10 them also burned When the tanks
burst the blazing oil thrown high into the
air and the whole of Constable Hook was en-
dangered the wind carried the flaming oil
about
The oil finally reached the water and the tugs
formed about it to prevent it's spreading to the
wharves. Great booms Of logs were thrown
out in semictrcIe to keep the oil from pouring
out into the Kills No idea of the amount OF
the loss could be obtained at o'clock this
morning
A tenement house just outside of the oil works
was destroyed 1t was occupied by Hungarians
and other foreigners. They escaped in their
night clothing at the first alarm The tank
struck was on the upper end of the yard near
this building The blazing oil spread toward
it and none of those who rushed out at the first
alarm had time to go back for their clothing.
A saloon destroyed within ten minutes
after the fire started All it's occupants were
said to have got out
The best information from inside the fire line
was that sixteen tanks, large and small had
been burned. The "compounding" house also
caught The fire was the largest the yards have
experienced for several years. The bursting OF
the tanks in rapid succession paraIyzed the fire
corps in the yard. and they could do nothing
but retreat
Two small buildings close to the tenement
house also burned. Their occupants escaped
The tenement house was densey packed
The officials of the company and works were
summoned by telephone from the Tfdev-a tar
works, which are close by. No idea of the build
ings burned could be obtained from the outside.
as they were all down
At 2:15 this morning the fire was burning IS
hercely ever. but did not appear 10 be spread
ing Inc oil burned WITH great neat, and the
liremen were driven out of the yards again and
again. 1t was impossible for them to work for
more than a few minutes "A time. Tney
seemed to think they had the flames under con-
| troll. in that they would not spread 10 other
| buildings and tanks. The area over which it
| has burned will be swept clear and the fre may
| burn for hours.
The officials az thR-7Uorks at o'clock sent for
| every employe available, and also Jelep1Oned
and telegraphed TO heads of departments at
| their summer homes at Asbury Park. in the
| mountains and elsewhere.
Practically the whole yard is destroyed The
! part that will remain viii not permit the yard
/ being worked until some OF the tanks and other
/ buildings have been replaced. The fire In the
early morning was still burning almost as badly
as ever. The barrel house had been destroyed
and the brightest blaze when it was burn
ing
The Tidewater COmpany's forces had also
been summoned, and their men were stationed TO
beat back any flames that might attack the
works The blaze lighted up Bayonne in
every direction, and the whole city was excited
but there seemed to be no danger that the fire
would spread 10 the town.