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Refinery Fire Neg.

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Film Identifier: F.2012-03-0605
Run Time
0h 7m 3s
Format
16mm
Color
B&W
Sound
Silent
Date Produced
1955
Abstract
Unedited news footage of a massive fire blazing at the Standard Oil refinery at Whiting, Indiana in late August 1955.
Description
Footage begins at nighttime as firehoses douse a raging fire at the Standard Oil refinery in Whiting, IN. By morning, the fire continues to blaze and we can now see that shrapnel has littered the surrounding Stiglitz Park neighborhood, damaging homes and businesses. Smoke billows over the town as the camera surveys the damage.

The fire in Whiting (16 miles southeast of Chicago) was caused by the explosion of the plant's hydroformer.  The explosion caused 47 acres of fires which took eight days to extinguish. Two people died, including a three year-old boy who was killed when he was hit by schrapnel from the explosion. The area was declared a National Disaster and hundreds of residents were displaced.
Main Credits
Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)
Related Places
Indiana (represents)
Whiting (represents)