New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-09-14
More Than Third of Fire
men in City Called to
Fight Blaze That Con-
inues Through Night
Seven Explosions;
Many Are Hurt
LIQUID Flame Terror
lies Crowds Gathered to
Watch Great Spectacle

The seven-acre plant Of the Stand
ard Oil Company's Kings County Re-
fnery, on the bank Of Newtown Creek.
in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn,
vas still raging furnace early to-day,
after burning since D. m. yesterday.
Shortly after 10 o'clock last night
four "sx" alarm and two "sevens"
sounded. This summoned all firemen
off duty and all other available fire
fighting apparatus in TIE greater city.
Il represented the most serious fire
York for years.
Fifteen huge storage tanks of gaso-
lene, naptha and other highly infam-
mabie products of crude oil were trans
formed into gigantic mushroom shaped
pillars Of fame that combined to send
into the sky a great funnel-like cloud
Of smoke that could be seen from any
part OF the greater city.
At lO:30 o'clock Newton Creek was q
shaet of fire and the Greenpoint Ave
aue Bridge was burning. The Preston
candle works of the American Candle
Company, across the creek from the
refinery. was burning furiously and
The United States Industrial Alcohol
distillery, which manufactures indus
Sial alcohol out of molasses, was also
on fire. The plant adjoins the re-
anery at Greenpoint and Kingslanc
avenues.
Fighting to Check Floating Flames
Half q dozen fire boats had beer
compelled to retreat down the Newtown
efeek to keep out of the flames and
their crews were fighting to keep the
nnurn'ng oil from getting into the East
MYer, II that occurs it would be diff
nca,t to foretell what might happen.
All the families living within a
radius Of four blocks about the burning
area were ordered to move out post
haste. This order came from Borough
Inspector Thomas Murphy, command
ING all the police of Brooklyn. He said
nc had information that there was kile-
asphtha tanks than had previously oc-
cured. There are sixty tanks in that
mft Of the plant beyond Kingsland
Avenue. and the four-story brick
Nllding. was on fire
The police had no difficulty in enforc-
sag Inspector Murphy's four-block or
aer. Many families living further than
mat from the fire were anticipating
lurther spread Of the flames and were
moving out
Many refugee families had bivouacked
.oI tne night in Calvary Cemetery on
..hlgh Hill, short distance from New
town Creek.
1000 Flee Flames
about 1000 residents Of Greenpoint
muse houses or tenement fats were
~ y. the streets adjacent to Greenpoint,
Snofmal and Kingsland avenues, which
ySVuho the fire area, were fleeing from
'ae'r homes last night.
Aseries Of mufled explosions. that
;apreaa the fire, to triple the expanse
" nad covered during the afternoon,
'%u,sed the exodus.
.,1 "nat with the frightened parents
NV 1"u crying children moving out of the
A% .s region, trundling furniture,
, ssu Clothing, and more precious pos
s .raS'0h IN hand carts. baby carriages
h.: bundles, Greenpoint suggested
= Wf'um when the Germans came.
ANY thousands Of persons had
s.~n perlloasly near the roaring
Ns ms when the roaring flames when
,io, afs' OF a series of seven explo-
ii c";, began. These sent sheets of
ssI,.a nre far and wide, and panic
m. rsa tne spectators. They fed, and
us as sr'pped and fell and we're tram
.,; DspUty Police Commissioner Fred
Nrr;," aii's was near the edge of the
As area in his automobile. When
his . aiSt explosion occurred he had
n saauneur turn about and then as
bs 10 Progressed away from the fire.
One ~ sae foolhardy out of danger.
thsi, 1he waves Of fame swept over
Non,ta eaos. A number were burned.
syehra. GOT seriously. Mr.. Wallis
'S'''~s were singed.
How the Fire Started
h a" N oil tank, one of q vroun If Inn
taught Sings County Refinery plant,
titsrncaaar e about 2 o'clock yesterday
es,renss :. rlres are almost daily oc-
6asui,S.ss" mere. Normally they are ex-
sess .sasd BY live steam. which ia
HSts,s.sa TO all parts CT the plant nv
TN covered pipes.
steam fire lighting system was
continued on page t,ve,vs
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