TEST OF OIL TANK UNDER PRESSURE CAUSES $1,000,000 CONFLAGRATION
Residents Within One-Half Mile of Area of Plant Forced to Leave Homes—Not Sufficient Foam on Hand to Cope with Widespread Oil Blaze
THREE workmen were killed, ten others suffered injuries and property damage estimated at $1,000,000 was caused by a fire which developed in the oil storage plant of the New England Terminal Company at North Tiverton, R. L., when a new tank collapsed as it was being tested with water under pressure. The resulting flood short circuited wires in a pump house and caused an explosion. The flames spread to seven oil storage tanks and a number of railroad tank cars on a siding, the fire continuing for three days until it finally burned itself out. Unsuccessful efforts were made to fight the blaze with foam lines and water was used to protect nearby houses, several of which ignited after an explosion that took place seven hours after the start of the fire. There was no foam or other protection provided on the tanks.
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