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like two days, and the direction of the wind was such as to carry the flames towards the petroleum tank to which he had alluded. At a distance of only ten feet stood a telegraph post which was practically destroyed by the flames, and ths tank itself on that side was considerably scorched, yet the contents remained un- ignited, and the oil was found after the conflagration was extinguished to be in a perfectly merchantable con- dition. There had been other illustrations to which he might allude, but these were probably sufficient to indicate that there was as a matter of fact a great advantage in tank storage from the point of view of safety in case of fire.
We would remark in conclusion that although stor- age in tanks undoubtedly presented great advantages in case of fire, yet the readiness with which petroleum contained in barrels ignited was greatly exaggerated. In company with an officer of the Metropolitan Boari of Works he had visited an oilman's premises which had been destroyed by fire, and he had seen barrels so baily charred that in the upper portions he could push his finger through the staves, yet still they retained their contents unburnt. He was of opinion that petro- leum in barrels might be looked upon as much less in- flammable in a warehouse than was generally assumed.
We would point out that the conditions which would probably be imposed viz: to empty tanks, on notice from the G.0.C. will practically render it impossible that any fire should occur.
21. The
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