Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-03-22
A FIRE THAT WON'T GO OUT.
Phenomenon Exhibited at Railway
Station In Scotland.

0AaAt0U ~ S~OAt0ihs
It is not generally known that In
Scotland not more than three miles
out of Glasgow. there is a fire raging
at a railway station, which has been
going on for months, and, notwith-
standing that tons of water have been
poured upon this insidious fire, it can
not be put out. It seems incredible,
but it is nevertheless true. The de-
tails are as follows:
Several months ago waste piece OF
ground close to the station was want
ed by the railway company as a siding.
The level of this ground was too low,
so truckloads of refuse were dumped"
on IT to bring it to the necessary level.
A large proportion of this refuse con
sisted of rotting vegetation, and in the
course of a little time it heated to
such an extent that combustion set
in and started not only a smoldering
fire, but flames actually burst through
the ground.
Attempts were made to quell this
fire, and it was thought, after several
that it had been put out. What was
the surprise, however, to see it break
out afresh in another place and nearer
the station. Fears then began to be
felt for the safety of the station build
ings, especially as the main double
line to important coast and country
towns led through it.
Fresh energy was then brought to
bear, and much more water was pour
ed on this fire, which seemed to have
its stronghold in the bowels of the
earth, but from the volume of steam
and smoke issuing from innumerable
crevices it was seen that the fire dem
on was resisting all efforts and was
slowly creeping nearer and nearer to
the foundations of the railway station.
It was now whispered and soon be-
came known that the station had orig
lnally been built upon sort of shale,
which came out of the mines in the
near neighborhood years ago. These
shale mounds have been known to take
years burning right through, and the
stencil from them is anything but
peasant.
Now, when 1t became known that
the fire referred to was gradually eat
ing it's way to the foundations of the
station, mild sort OF alarm began to
be felt, not only by the railway COM
pany, but the aristocratic passengers
who daily use this suburban station.
For the mines have been worked out,
and hundreds of beautiful villas have
arisen out. of their ashes-so to speak.
The fire gained ground every day,
until by and by 1t reached beneath one
Of the platforms, and any day there
after might be seen the novelty of
crowd of people waiting on platform
from the chinks and crevices of which
were arising in many places jets Of
steam from the fire below. Such a
volume of water was kept continually
playing upon It that actual flames
were prevented from showing above
ground; but any casual observer could
see the evidence of the great heat
below.
In time It was observed that the
foundations of the station were set.
Ting and cracking and twisting in
many places, and all sorts Of efforts
had to be resorted to to keep the
buildings from being permanently in
jured. At this present moment, as
these lines are being penned, the fire
has reached under the main line Of the
track and 1t is one of the curiosities
of the neighborhood to see the jets of
steam and smoke issuing from be-
tween the sleepers.
It is a foregone conclusion that the
fire cannot be extinguished, and it is
being left to have its own sweet way
and burn itself out. When this will
happen nobody knows, as there is
large part of the foundation of the sta
ton not yet reached; and as this has
been going on for many months, 1t is
quite probable that this fire in the
bowels of the earth will go on sapping
under the station until the buildings
tumble about the passengers ears
Tit-Bits.