Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-17
Follows Explosion Of Tank
In Boston Oil Works.
Several Million Dollars Worth
Of Property Threatened.
Miraculous Escapes From Death.
Horses Burned and Shot.

Boston, April 16.-Millions of dollars
worth Of property was endangered to-
day by fire that broke out ON Central
wharf this forenoon, but owing to the
fact that the wind was blowing towards
the harbor the firemen We're able to
keep the flames from spreading to-
wards the city. The fire started in the
second or third floor of the oil refining
plant Of Howe, French & Go. and was
caused by the explosion OF an oil tank.
The force Of the explosion forced open
all the doors and windows ana sheets
of flames. fed by burning oil shot
across the wharf. scorching the sheds
of the Boston & Philadelphia Steamship
Co. on the opposite side and setting
fire to about a dozen drays laden with
wool. cotton, shoes and general mcr-
chandise.
More than a dozen horses were lit
orally nayed alive and it was necessary
to shoot them. Several drivers and ware
house helpers were slightly burned,
but up 10 an hour after the fire no Sc
riouS injuries had been reported. It
was rnnorcd that several persons hat
been killed in the building. but with
one exception all of the missing men
soon reported to their employers.
Three firms were burned out. the
Commonwealth Oil Co, the Borne
Scrymsor CO., oil retincrs ana the re-
fncry Of Howe. French & Co. The
property loss will be heavy, although
definite figures could not be obtained
The fact that many lives were not
lost in the fire is the cause Of surprise.
A number of persons We're working in
hill h1n CXulOGlun
CURED ana all of them had miracul"u@
escapes in making their way t. the
street Within half q. mnut" after IN.
EXPLOSION the entire building was 4
mass of flames. The occupants fed to
the street at the sound Of the explosion
and when tkcy reached tn" thresholds o!
the various stores and Offices, IN"
flames were pouring out Of tn" VIM
dows over their heads. and tn" Wo"Fh
sign boards over the doors were pihI-
ing ficrCcly.
Directly across the street from the
burning buildings a dozen or nor"
draws were discharEing freight on IN"
vharveS of the Boston & Phllad"l'hA
Steamship Go. Several of the drivers
were scorchcd by the hurst "t h'ih'
and the front of the sheds WAS Warpoi
ana blistered by the heat. TW" Ct the
drivers had their coats burned OF ihrir
backs, but suffered only Surrri'cih'
burns on their faces hands ana holirS.
Tho horses did not fare 50 well az
their drivers. The blast Of fire enF"I"H'u
thcm. perliug off the hide and burning
the ears and tails to mere StumpS. ne
draws caught fire. Some Of them M'ts
pulled, still burning, up INT" -Nli'''ltIC
avenue, and others were lett 10 hutH
until the arrival Of the lircmcn.
one Of the wagons, laden with eases
Of shoes was dragged into Atlantic
avenue. where it continued to burn uI-
rArtI,- underneath the Elevated Kan
road. Finally the planking oi IN" Slr
turr hogan to shoulder and il was rs
ccesarv to direct chemical stream on
the blaze. The wagon load WAS '"E
dunI,cd into tho street ana WAS h''+'
ext;nguishcd by the HrCmcu
1t is believed that tn" entire IT'S i'S"'
including The building. a hNc-st"rA
brick structure, its contents. IN" oI"H
loads Of freight and the horses VIII aP-
rroximate 800. 600. Several firms III the
Immediate vicinity of the iir" suiirfc"
a heavy water damage.
MURRAY, man who was hllSSli|'
turned III later al on" of the h"SlliliS'
suffering from the slight burns y
search Of the ruins failed t" disclose
trace that any lives had been I"St.