The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-30
LAKE OF BURNING on,
LIGHTS. UP FOR MILES
Immense GusheT in Mexican Fields Sends Belehin2
Flames High Into the Air and the Blaze
Visible for 100 Miles.

led lake around the burning we'll of
about 500 metres across.
This, too. Is burning, and it Is im-
possible for nySone to approach nearer
than 100 metres to the lake of fire, for
which reason 1t is not practicable to
use any OF the ordinary means of
extinguishing burning oil wells and
bring the well under control again.
The company has been using every
available means at Its command, and
has imported expensive machinery from
the United States to get the we'll un-
der control. bu1 so far all Of its eff
forts have been useless. and the fire
| is burning with undated vigor. The
force behind the gusher sends the
flames into the air for great dis
lance and the sight is one of awe-in-
spring grandeur
The oil bursts out OF the we'll and
lshoots into the air in mighty shaft.
becoming Immediately ignited and
forming massive column offire, which
country with light as bright as day.
Vast crowds of people throng the vi
cinity OF the burning we'll and hun
dreds OF visitors are flocking from
great distances to see the gorgeous
| illumination.
To Smother the Flames.
Disappointed at the failure OF the
company is now preparing to smo ther
the flames. il possible. by building
dam around the burning lake and Iill-
ing this in with dirt and stones and
drawing this nearer and nearer to the
we'll, to eventually cover 1t and smother
the flames, which to-day are running
riot and tlinging high into the heavens
their defiance to all human control.
The vast amount of oil which is daily
flowing from the we'll. and the uncer-
tainty as to how long 1t will continue.
to burn. If Bunchecked, makes the prob
lem confronting the ownerst Of the Wei
one Of the gravest Importance. 1t
may become clogged and check Its
own flow, and thus become easily con-
trolled within a few days. and on the
other hand 1t is just as liable to con-
tinue burning with undated strength
for many months.
Meanwhile the company is smiling
grimly and taking its heavy daily loss
with all the philosophy which the sit
Iuation will admit. The we'll has now
been burning since July 4th, and is
proving one of the most costly. If most
magnificent rotechnical exhibitions
ever before brought out by the great
American national holiday.
The estimated loss to the company
up to the present time is very heavy.
The drilling machinery valued at $780,
600 has been totally destroyed. while
the oilEconsumed daily is valued satnot
now been burning for nearly Il month,
the loss from this source is enormous
and the fire is bound to cost close upon
l$2,000,000 or more before 1t lis
brought under control, which at this
time appears a distant accomplish
lment. AZ f5 .Sf5a 9: 81 i5{ n
burning High In the Air,
The force Of the flowing oil is such
that nothing can be forced into the
well, and Is so strong that there is no
flame near the surface OF the ground.
save tho burning lake formed by the
escaping oil. all The fire being nearer
the top OF the column. For this 8rea-
son It is thought that ne pipes can, be
inserted into the shaft Of. oil below
the Flames and the surplus oil piped
)off. the lake of fire 4 ca n be removed
and eStingulslled and the velocity Of
the gushar so checked that the fire
Fighters can approach near enough to
the burning well to work to better adj
vantage and eventually control tile
he tried. ifs555 81 J, Il, M IS sbsS 9s 1
/, None Of the attempts to check the
any. degree nf success. and by mhnyi
a { .1 Il is considered doubtful
n fSt he ]. fire ca M bo OK inguished, and
he.,Well again trough under control
unit is own vol tinn, Il llo OW in
|(ilNiniHhel,g Ol.Mt lie wei Il becOlnaH 81 al, "a