The Portland daily press., 1870-08-23
The Dominion.
THE FIRES IN THE WOODS.
A despatcb from Ottawa IN Friday

n despatch from ottawa on Friday, says
From every quarter the fire steadily approach
ed the city, until at night, the red glare light
ing up the heavens would tell of the terrible
body of fire that was stalking through the
country. The scene in the city at eight O'Clock
the evening before last, was indescribable The
herce gale Was at its height; the dust and ashes
poured down on the streets while the smoke
came, rolling in hot yellow, and still more
binding. AT o'clock, not soul was on the
streets.
gentleman who came from Bells Corner.
which was burnt, says: On the Richmond
Road, there are two thousand persons home
less, and without anyisustenance, but what they
can pick up. A number ale making their way
to the city. Their CONSERVATION and grief is
great. AS in other townships, the fire has done
its work of devastation. In Chelsea, besides
the destruction of the immense amount of saw
ed lumber belonging TO Mr.. Glmour, the fire
swept over almost the whole township, reduc.
ing it to ashes. The devastation at Ironsde
village has already been reported, but all this
destruction of property sinks into insignifi-
canoe before the dread ul item of loss of fire.
The flames came rushing into the village, from
south westerly direction. and so terribly rapid
was their progress through it, that several per-
sons were unable to escape, and were burned
to death. So tar as we have been able to ascer-
tain, the total number of lives lost is 10, wiz
Two women. three children, Mrs Hervels, and
man named Pink, in Chelsea; Mrs Hartney
and Robert Grant, Goulburn, and Frederick
SCs
great many missing in different places, and
their absence is taken by many to too clearly
indicate their fate. Besides the measures for.
merly reported at the Chaudiere, a sharp look
out was kept, and the large hydraulic pumps
of the mills were kept constantly going, and
the hose from them laid in every direction
The arrangements were timely and perfect
Your correspondent passed through twenty
miles of the burnt district, and the scene beg
gars description.
The Toronto Globe of Saturday, says there was
ran that the fire was entering the city through
the woods at the West end. The Shops were
generally closed and everybody rushed to see
the reported fire. But the report was exagger-
ated' the fire being mile further off than was
reported. AS a measure of precaution the wa
Yer was let out OF the Rideau Canal at the west
end OF the city, and has flowed TO the north,
forcing itself for a mile across the threatened
point OF the Ottawa river. The submerged
portion is 200 or 300 yards wide. In addition
to this protection at the West End, all the mills
have ceased running, the men have been &C.
spatched further west to check the fire if it
should pass into the fields from the woods in
which it is at present combined.
The military were ordered to assist in check
ing the cOnflagration the firemen we're present
with their engines, and the people were thor
oughly aroused, and were watching the fire
anxiousy Thousands of er-pails were sent
peril The City Council voted $1,000 to relieve
the wants of the sufferers in the surrounding
townships.