PETROLEUM ON FIRE.

Mt Benger Mail, Volume 17, Issue 850, 29 August 1896, Page 3

PETROLEUM ON FIRE.

NEW PLYMOUTH, August 23

At 0.30 last night a terrific explosion occurred at the petroleum bore at Moturoa, and instantly the derrick was enveloped in flames. The burning oil spread over the ground and was burning on top of the water in the lagoon, situated some distance from the derrick. The explosion was heard in town, two miles from the bore, and a great volume of flame was seen shooting upwards. Nothing could be done to save the derrick, it being impossible to get near it, the burning oil spreading over the ground. When the derrick, which was made of a frame covered with galvanised iron, had been destroyed, the gas and oil were liberated and found vent, and gradually the flames subsided near the bore. The oil, however, kept burning in the shaft, and is still burning. It is expected the flames will be got under to-morrow.

The accident occurred when one of the hands was engaged filling a cask with oil from the tank into which it flows from the bore. He had a hand lamp about ten feet from the mouth of the bore, and he states that suddenly he noticed a flame extend from the lamp to the bore. He tried to smother it with a sack, but the attempt was ineffectual, and a terrible explosion occurred, the flames shooting to the top of the derrick. He barely escaped with his life. The loss is estimated at about £2,000.