KYW Flashback: 8 Firefighters Killed In Massive Gulf Oil Refinery Blaze

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It was 40 years ago. The sky was obliterated over the Penrose Avenue Bridge and the sprawling Gulf oil refinery below.

Thick black clouds of smoke, punctured by leaping flames could be seen across the region. Vapors from an ancient oil storage tank had exploded.

Before the blaze was controlled the following day, eight firefighters would be dead. Fourteen more were injured.

KYW reporters at the refinery described an unheard of 11th alarm being struck to bring every available piece of equipment to the scene.

At one point the fire was believed under control, but flammable liquid had snaked through the complex and suddenly erupted with new intensity, engulfing three firemen in raging flame.

Six died at the scene, two more later.