A discarded cigar was responsible for the first oilfield fire at Spindletop (Texas).  On September 12, 1902, a Texas Flora Oil Co. well caught fire and the fire quickly spread to 20 wells, several oil storage tanks, and a pumping station.  Port Arthur, Texas photographer Frank Trost took the photograph that was used in these postcards.  Note the two Beaumont, Tex. versions; one is dyed red for affect (common postcard process for fire scenes!).  Also note the version captioned, “Lima, O.” (Ohio).  As noted in other posts on this blog, oilfield postcard images were often “shared” and sold in areas other than the actual.