Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-02
FIRE THREATENS
|. OKLAHOMA GUSHER
Bush Blaze Is ExtinguiShed,
But Not Before Causing
Brief Panic.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla, November
1.-Oklahoma City had q few brief
moments of panic late today as fire
swept through oil-soaked grass at the
southeast doorstep of the city, Q mile
and q half from where an uncontrolled
volcano Of oil reared into the sky.
Scores of workweary firemen, OIL
field workers and National Guardsmen
quenched the flames in less than an
hour, but not before panic had cleared
residential districts in the danger zone
near the wild No. Stout well and
word had swept through downtown
crowds that the wild well Is on fire."
Adding to the scare came the report
that another great gusher near the
Stout was tearing loose as sand cut
at its connections. After the confusion
had subsidized 1t was learned the Cham
plin Refining Co.'S No. l MAIDEN, 500
feet south of the Stout, and one of five
wells 1t was proposed to open In an
effort to relieve gas pressure at the
rampant gusher. had cut its top master
gate. 1t was shut in Immediately and
new connections installed. The lower
Hope to Stop Gusher.
With no hope of tanning the Stout
before tomorrow noon, crews which had
abandoned their arduous task at the
first cry Of fire returned to the well
and prepared to attempt to stab great
die nipple into place.
Ofhcials held considerable hope that
the die nipple would restrain the tow
erinR petroleum column.
The wild we'll has been erupting
enough gas for q city of million popu-
lation and a prodigious quantity Of oil
since 1t broke loose late Thursday.
The No. Mueller of Hall and Briscoe
was opened for a time and later shut
In. Approximately 100 men, most Of
them on constant duty In the danger
area, welded shovels TO beat out the
blaze which ignited oil-saturated grass
along the Canadian River channel, q
mile and q half northeast of the stout
wall.
Guardsmen who invaded the hazard
Gus territory yesterday afternoon ran
through city streets when today'S fire
began, blowing whistles and shouting an
evacuation command. Their efforts
we're needless, for already whole fam
lilies, most Of them colored. were sweep
ing children and scanty belongings into
IICH aEHlS anu udSIluB ITOm LuSlT
homes. The widest confusion reigned.
Cause of the FIRE was not known to-
night, although there was an earlier re-
port 1t had started from a locomotive
spark. Trains have been forbidden to
enter the danger area without "dous-
ing" boiler fires.
Smoke Visible for Miles.
The rolling smoke clouds from the
burning grass we're visible for miles
and the city's skyscraper tops, about q
mile from the monster gusher itself,
bristled with frightened once workers.
With flre equipment standing ready in
the area surrounding the stout / 300 feet
Of hose strung along the Rock Island
right Of way Oil racks, and every avail
able man on duty, Fire Department ON
cials were ready for any emergency to-
night.
Down in the streets, where the Rllsh-
ers roar and nauseous fumes crept
into homes. uncooked suppers were
eaten under the watchful eyes of Ma
tional Guard patrols Other residents
who feared TO remain at home were
cared for at nearby State fair grounds.
Arrangements were made to provide for
the needy and sick. a.