PRODIGIOUS OIL FIRE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 277, 13 April 1911, Page 7

PRODIGIOUS OIL FIRE

AT A 150,000-BARREL-A-DAY BORE. Tampieo (Mexico), Jan. 19. The great oil well in the Potrero del Llano field, 85 miles south-east of Tampieo, which caught fire three days ago, is still burning, with apparently no hope of the flames being extinguished. At the time the oil was ignited the well was flowing more than 150,000 barrels a day, its output having increased by more than 40,000 barrels since the strike Was made on January 3. The well is owned ;hy the Mexican Eagle Petroleum Company. The burning well is even more spectacular than the famous Dos Bocas gusher in that same section, years ago. The country and gulf for 100 .miles around are covered by smoke. The column of flames and smoke ascends into the air for more than 10/500 feet. The flame is plainly seen for miles at sea. The heat is so intense that it is impossible to get near the burning well. The oil and gases have poisoned the waters of surrounding streams, and horses and cattle are dying. Vegetation of nil kinds has been killed, and the whole surrounding country is being deserted by the residents, who are afraid that the air will be poisoned by the gases, as was the case at the Don Bocas fire. Those who are in the district say the fire is likely to ruin the whole oil field.