The Little River news., 1920-06-16

aged 27, Camden.
 Fl Dorado, Jone 13.-One young woman probably was fatally burned and seven other persons were seriously injured shortly after o'clock this aft ernoon near the Constantine gas well, three miles from El Dorado, when Fred Hays of Camden lighted cigarette near the edge of one of the many crat- CTS formed following the capping of the Constantine we'll, and the gas fumes were ignited
 The party was standing around the crater preparing to take a photograph when Hays struck a match. The gas was ignited immc cdiately, flames shoot ing about 50 feet into the air. The crater is about 30 feet in diameter. The clothing of every member of the party caught fire almost simultaneously. Their cries attracted the many sight seers, who rushed to their rescue.
 Miss Ann Brown of Camden, aged 21, daughter of the late George Brown, was the most seriously injured She vas the last reached by the re cuers and her body was terribly burned. She was rushed to local hospital, and i'm mediately was placed on the operating tolD tbnr | was reported that she probably was ia tally burned.
 A telephone message to Fl Dorado brought practically every physician in the town to the flaming geyser. First injured there, while others, the more seriously burned were rushed in am balances and automobiles to the hos pital. The Fl Dorado Fire Department also Was called out to assist in check ing the flames Their efforts were fut- ile, however.
 The developing of thousands of min iature gas wells following the capping of the Constantine about 10 days ago has brought hundreds of sightseers to the scene Many automobiles carrying persons from nearby towns were here today, The Camden and Gallon visi tors met after arriving at the crater, and decided to take photograph of the geyser that was ignited
 Miss Brown, who was the most ser iously burned, was on the opposite side camera in her hand, and was getting facus on the party across the crater. Just as she was about ready to snap the picture, the gas fumes were ignited and the flames shot high in the air. en- veloping the entire party
 Crater Three Days Old.
 The crater that Was ignited formed three days ago. It is the second larg- est of the more than 5000. It is about 25 feet from the Fl D.radc md Wes- son railroad, and about 90 fee. from long railroad trestle Traffic on the road has been suspended because of the danger of the trestlc catching fire. Workmen were rushed to the bridge to fight the flames if the trestle becomes ignited
 The flames were shooting high into the air late tonight, and it is said it will be necessary to smother them by using steam, the method used in the Louisiana oil fields. It probably will be week or 10 days before propara- tions are completed to begin the work of checking the fire.
 Entire Field Endangered.
 Unless additional wells spring up close to the burning geyser it is be- lieved the fire will be confined to the one crater. It is about 500 feet from any other, However, miniature wells are forming constantly, and If the en- tire field. which incudes nearly a square mile, catches fire, considerable damage will result
 Danger Signs POsted, Gas fumes permeate the atmosphere all over the field surrounding the sey- sers. To prevent the possibility of them being ignited the Constantine interests posted signs at conspicuous places warning the visitors of the danger of striking matches or smoking in the vicinity. It Is said that MT. Hays un- thoughtedly struck a match to light a famed the gas fumes burst into flame.