The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-17 00:00:00

CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

It is clearly established, beyond the shadow of a doubt
that the unfortunate people themselves have been the
principal and only cause of this terrible calamity over-
, taking them. Had our municipal authorities carried out
the law, relating to the construction of wooden buildings
with effect, this burning would not assuredly have taken
place. The moment the fire commenced to gain headway
it would exceed superhuman effort to control or check it.
The streets in some places exhibited the most awful
appearance. Perfect—whirlwinds of fire might be seen in
every direction—there being no efficient obstacle to offer
as a barrier to the progress of the terrible devastation.
The fire can be traced to but one cause—wooden buildings;
and while this particular description of tenement is
tolerated, we must only expect occasional occurrences
such as the one we are called upon to relate.
A correspondent, writing on May 27, adds the following
details :—" I learn through Mr. Tremblay, M.P., for
Chicoutimi, who has just returned from the burning dis-
trict at Saguenay, that the fire in its ravages swept every-
thing before it, and has left the large number of families
already reported in absolute poverty and ruin. The fire
travelled in a circuitous direction, covering over 1,500
miles in superficies, and 100 miles from one extreme point
to the other, from Lake St. John to Chicoutimi. Poor
people who were so unexpectedly driven from their happy
and comfortable homes, had to seek shelter in swamps
and underground places, as every building standing within
the march of the tire was levelled to the ground. Some
instances of the suffering which the inhabitants had to
endure are painful to contemplate. One poor
woman who had only passed through the pains
of child-birth a few hours before the fire reach-
ed her domicile, was removed, with her new-born
infant, by her husband to a swamp, where she
passed the night alone. Her husband had returned to
the house to save some of his wearing apparel, but found
in the meantime the fire had cut off the communication
with the swamp where his wife had sought shelter.
Another man, finding escape impossible, jumped into his
well, where he passed the whole night and part of the
following day, while the fire swept over his head, where
the heat at times became so intense that he was compelled
occasionally to slip below the surface of the water to
avoid being scorched. A number of families sought shel-
ter on the lake shore, but were compelled to wade into
it over the waist, as the fire in its ravages had burnt up
everything down to the very edge of the water. The
Ministers of the local government have been applied to
for assistance, and it is probable that a steamer
will be despatched to the scene of the fire with provisions
and other necessaries to supply the temporary wants of
the unfortunate people. Mr. Tremblay states that, as
far as can be ascertained, six grown up persons and two
children have lost their lives."

The rumour that the Small Arms Factory at
Enfield is to be removed to Woolwich turns out to be
unfounded. The present situation of the factory, where
it has grown from a mere workshop is most incon-
venient ; but the expense of removing its enormous and
intricate machinery will not permit of the proposed
change.