The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-05-28
KILLED IN OIL EXPLOSION
Spectators Of a Fire Near Pittsburg
Are Overwhelmed.
CAUSED BY A RAILROAD WRECK

sufHsrine, Maddened Men Trod Down
the weak-Houses Wrecked By Gas
Main Igniting-shset OF Flame De-
seconded on Hundreds Of Onlooksrs.
Pittsburg, Pa.-Four distinct explo-
sions have wrought ruin In the Char
tiers Valley. It was estimated twenty
dve persons were dead and between
100 and 150 were burned. many OF
whom would die. The first explosion
occurred In the Sheriden yards Of the
Pan Handle Railroad, about i've miles
from the Union Station In this city.
Switchmeo were shifting q train OF
cars, to which were attached two cars
u refined oil and one Of naphtha.
The Pan Handle Railroad Company
has thirty-six tracks through Sheriden
md has succeeded In keeping communi-
cation open. The property loss will
amount to at least $780, 100.
As the cars were pushed along the
track the oil cars came together with
crash, smashing the couplings and
breaking q switch light. The oil tank
was Jared. and oil flowed down on the
light. 1t ignited and made trail to
the tank. A fame shot into the air.
and before the trainmen knew what
had happened an explosion occurred.
and In q dash the burning oil spurted
into the air.
This occurred about AS p. m. An
alarm was sent to Sheridenville and
McKee's Rocks, and the local fire de-
partment responded. No water could
be had, and the heat was so intense
40 one could get near enough to couple
| an engine to the other two cars and
haul them away.
About SIS the second car Of refined
oil exploded, and by this time fully
1000 persons had gathered on the hill.
sides. The Pan Handle tracks lie In
/ valley fanked by steep hills on each
side. No one thought OF any danger.
The heat from the burning cars gen.
Grated gas In the naphtha tank near
by. 1t had gas dome. Shortly after
) o'clock the naphtha tank exploded.
The dome shot into the air and fell Oh
the hillside amid the jam Of spectators.
The tank split in twain. and the naph.
tha, like fiery serpents. shot into all
directions. spraying the thousands Of
people, among whom were laborers.
women, children. and railroaders.
Immediately there was rush for
safety. Hundreds who were sprayed
by burning oil tore their clothes on
their bodies. Women and children
screamed and men swore and ran
hither and thither like wild men. Peo.
pie set fire to each other. Some crawled
INTO the dirt, others ran and famed the
danes with the wind. Dozens Of
naked men beat their bodies among the
bushes seeking to relieve the pain,
while others sand exhausted, never to
sise again.
The heat from the burning huid
which had spread over the valley sep
irated the parties occupying each hill
side. A similar scene was being en-
lcted on both hillsldes. while down the
valley none came out alive.
The burning oil trickled into small
ditch known as Cork's Run. 1t 6oated
| puSt tac NhioSc "a EopiSn unu ihlo thc
Ohio River. At the edge Of Esplen and
the Pittsburg city limits group oi
houses are situated along the hillside
Ind on the level. A natural gas main
occupies a ditch. There was q leak In
the gas main.
AZ the burning oil reached 1t, the
gus main exploded, wrecking all the
houses In the group and killing several
people. manning about twenty more
One building contained q large pool
room. where were congregated dozer
men. and all were killed or Injured.
Thus. at two distinct places. more
than two miles apart. lives were lost
md help was needed. By this time tho
railroad company had organized relief
crews among their Pittsburg yard men
Every physician in the city was tele
phoned to lend his aid. Special trains
we're made up to take the doctors dowr
In groups. Ambulances were pu'
aboard fatcars and rushed down. Ev
cry hospital was ordered to get ready
Tor an overflow. and rescue work was