A TERRIBLE PETROLEUM WELL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1751, 16 June 1888, Page 3

A TERRIBLE PETROLEUM WELL.

The Russian paper Caspian gives the following interesting details of. one of the largest naphtha fountains yet known, which has lately broken out near Baku, and which threatens to inundate all Balakhani:—"The naphtha, owing to the pressure of the gases', which accompany it, rises to a height of 280 to 420 ft, and is carried away by the wind to a great distance, falling like fine rain at the more distant parts of the district, but near the fountain coming down in torrents that form rivers and streamlets. Further on it falls like sleet, and settles in a layer on all the buildings in the neighbourhood. These naphtha rivers flow for a distance <tf more than half a mile, and pass througl walls, works, reservoirs, inhabited houses, etc. Unfortunately all the reservoirs in the neighbourhood were full when the fountain broke out, and the oil was thus wasted. Owing to the stillness of the atmosphere, at one time the gases which accompany the naphtha spread in a heavy layer for more than 280 yards, filling the houses and placing their inhabitants in. a most dangerous position, especially at night, when fires were lit. The sand and dust thrown up by the fountain form a hill of considerable size and have buried the boiler-house of the mining company's works and all buildings in close proximity to the fountain. There is no doubt that any exposed flame would set the whole district, from the mining company's works to the Sabounchi raiiway station, in one blaze. Many efforts have been made to stop the fountain, but all have proved unavailing, for after five or six hours the fountain would , again burßt forth with all its former

vigor. For some days the fountain has been lett to play without hindrance, and has increased in power. Thanks also to a Btrong and changing wind, the naphtha has been scattered in every direction, turning the whole district into a petroleum swamp. , The naphtha pours from the 1 roofs of the houses, on which also fall the earth and stones carried up by the oil. !