1884 Flood

A skiff load of men ran down from Maysville to Augusta, Ky., 20 miles, in two hours. They witnessed thrilling adventure at the later place. There was an alarm of fire in a three-story building surrounded with ten feet of water. It was a drug store, and a gasoline tank had exploded and the surface of the water was covered with it. The proprietor went below to look at the water with a lantern. It caused a fearful explosion, and the whole top of the water was a sheet of flame, and the man was thrown off his steps and into the water badly burned. He remained under water, and swam to the front door and was saved. Four kegs of powder on the second floor soon after exploded, and the ruin of the building was complete. Loss, $17,000.

Courier-Journal, February 23, 1884