Norfolk, Virginia, USA
1907 - LUMBER PILES AND OIL TANKS SWEPT BY FIRE

Spark From a Locomotive Started Disastrous Conflagration
Burning Oil Covers Acres of Property

NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 20. - The most spectacular fire in the history of the city occurred today when a spark from a locomotive of the Norfolk and Western Railway set fire to grass near the plant of the Atlantic Creosoting Company and fanned by a 40-mile wind, the flames extended to the great lumber piles and oil tanks of the company, causing a loss of $60,000, and the probably fatal injury of one man. Seventy-five thousand gallons of creosoting fluid in the tanks exploded and 2,500 barrels of oil were consumed, together with several hundred thousand feet of creosoted timber and piling, valued at about $25,000.
The pier of the company, extending about 600 feet into the Elizabeth river, on which were several hundred barrels of oil, was destroyed, and the most heroic efforts saved the immense factory of the Cotton Oil and Fiber Company which adjoins the burned plant.

Sailors Act as Firemen.
One hundred silors from the St. Helena training station aided the fire fighting force of the Creosoting Company in combatting the fire, and one of them, H. A. Hatt, a coal passer on the training ship Richmond, was overcome by heat and smoke. He was removed to a hospital, where he is expected to die. The plant of the Creosoting Company fronts on the Elizabeth river just to the east of the Norfolk and Western tracks on the north end of the bridge spanning the river. There is a ravine between the embankments of the railroad and the yards of the company which was covered with grass and weeds, into which a drain pipe carried the waste oil from the plant. The immense piles of timber and two big tanks of oil, about 200 feet away, containing 75,000 gallons, were quickly ignited.

Terrific Explosion.
A terrific explosion hurled the contents of the tanks all over the adjoining ground and three acres of property were covered up in blazing oil. The smoke from the fire reached a height estimated at 1,000 feet.

The cotton oil and fiber plant caught fire several times, but it was saved by a score of sailors who manned two lines of hose. The boats worked on the blaze from the water front, but ineffectually. The company is said to do the second largest business of its line in the world, and has shipped a vast quantity of creosoted timber to the Canal zone for Government work. Owing to the small police force available a company of marines at Mayor Riddick's request was put in service to keep back the thousands of spectators.

The fire was under control after burning six hours, but the flames will not be extinguished before tomorrow. Henry Wales, president of the company, said the insurance does not fully cover the loss.

The Macon Daily Telegraph
Macon, Georgia
January 21, 1907

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