(27 June 1901)

During the severe thunderstorm Tuesday evening one of the big oil tanks at Preble was struck by lightning. The accident occurred at 6:30 o’clock and a second afterward a tongue of flame shot high into space, proclaiming the news in a vivid manner. The tank was the middle one of the row of five and was the largest of all, being 1000 feet in diameter and containing 37,500 barrels of oil. The top of the tank was frame, covered with asbestos, and this was soon burned away, giving the flames full sway. Hundreds of people soon gathered to watch the sight and many went to work assisting the employees in protecting the other tanks and property nearby. The news was soon flashed to headquarters, and as soon as possible men were sent in to do such work as was necessary. Over 100 came from Montpelier, while a large crowd was sent from Huntington and this place. Almost any price could be secured for your services and many received as high as a dollar an hour. A cannon was sent from Lima and placed in the proper position to shoot the tank, the idea being to let the oil escape and thus stop the conflagration. In the meantime, an army of men labored all night throwing up trenches to hold the oil and prevent it from spreading over the surrounding country. Finally, everything was in readiness, with the exception of a few minor details, and within five minutes the tank was to be shot. However, the tank had become too hot and caused the fluid to boil, running up above like a great white mountain, finally shooting over the sides, and leaping the trenches like waves, and extending over an area of five acres, presenting the appearance of a sea of fire. Several men who were working upon the tanks were forced to jump and had narrow escapes. Everything in the path of the flames, including fences, trees and even the cannon were licked up clean, and the scene for a time was one worth anyone’s attention. Several thousand barrels of oil still remained in the tank and all day yesterday black clouds of smoke rolled forth, each one appearing to be making an effort to catch the one ahead, and even still the fire may be seen. Many sightseers have been to the scene, and truly it is a wonderful one. The tank and contents were the property of the Standard Oil Company and their loss is estimated at $50,000.