The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-25
THE GREAT FIRE IN CANADA.
Immense Forests Swept Away-H0uses and
Farms Destroyed - Thousands of Familses
Homeless-Nnrrew Escape of OttOwa.

HOmeIesB-Nurrow Escape oil OttOw0s
The Ottawa Times of Aug. 10 says:--
Last evening the grand eliminating point was
reached; clouds Of ashes began to come into the
city, and the smoke got hotter and more blind
ing, and soon it was known that the fierce gale
had famed the fires into frightful proportions,
and at that moment were travelling through the
country at the rate of five miles an hour, and
spreading in every direction. At a late hour it
was learned that a district of ten miles in the
township OF Gloucester was iu blaze. Then
CONSERVATION seized many, and in dread, the
nervous demanded again and again to be told was
there any danger of the flames getting into the
city.
The scene in the city at o'clock was inde-
scribable. The fierce gale was at it's height, the
dust and ashes hssed down the street, while the
smoke came rolling in, hot, yellow, and still
more binding AT o'clock not a soul was on
the streets, nor had there been for an hour.
At IL o'clock man came in from Gloucester
and stated that the fire was only mile from the
city, making Its way in by the railway track
Upon inquiry 1t was found that no danger vas
imminent from any quarter. However, arrange
men we're put to watch. Indeed the city is sur
rounded by belt of fire, and the smoke as we
write is getting again thick and binding.
Heavy rains are the only thing that can better
the present dreadful state of affairs.
At Gloucester throughout the whole night
people were on the move in search for place of
safety or shelter; some we're on foot conducting
their children and picking their steps among
LQe burning patcneb OF Whll6 OLlerS,
both to save themselves and their horses, got on
horseback and galloped at full speed over fields
of fire. The scene was dreadfully romantic
one. Cattle ran madly In every direction, vainly
endeavCring to find one place affording more
shelter or comfort than another. Their con-
tinuous believing added much to the prevailing
confusion and alarm. A bowling hurricane
crashing forests, smoky and suffoeating gloom,
an overhanging panoply of turbulent flame, the
very earth in blaze, general dismay and de-
vastation lHade up the awful panorama.
1ronside village, comprising over fifty houses
of the employees at the iron mines, was in a
blaze. The whole village was destroyed, the
smelling house among the other buildings The
smelling house was valued at $4,000. But all
this destruction of property sinks into insight
fcance before the dreadful item of loss of life.
The flames came rushing into the village from
a southwesteTly direction, and so terribly rapid
was their progress through it that many persons
were unable to escape aud were burned to death.
The township is dismal waste.
The city, from the precautionary measures
taken, was declared during the evening to be
safe from the fires in the neighborhood, and
! even the timid went TO sleep with feeling OF
/ security. At the Chandiere sharp look out
was kept, and the large hydraulic pumps on the
mills were kept constantly going, and the hose
! from them laid in every direction. The arrange
ments were timely and perfect.
The fires still went on their way through the
! different townships lighting up the murky
atmosphere, and they will continue so TO do
until heavy rains put an end TO their progress.
Although surrounded by raging fires of an i'm
mense extent, the city last night was safe.