New-York tribune., 1875-03-11
THE FIRE AT PORT-AU-PRINCE.
oSE-rHIRD OF THE PLACE DEsTgOYED-THE Los
ESTIMATED AT 5000 G0J.

oNE-THIRD OF THE PLACE DEsrROYED-THE LOSS
ESTIMATED AT S2,000,20J.
According to accounts from POrt-au-Prince,
whica were received yesterday through persons who
arrived on tie steamship Etua OF the Atlas Line the fire.
which occurred at that place Fen. IL, still moro
disastrous than the telegraph announced OAe-thrd OF
the city been destroyed four hundred houses
have been consumed and The loss to property i esu
mated at g. OOOOOo The fire originated the North
Gate" spread in easery direction TO the Croix des
Bossaes and extended the lay md the vicinity OF
Bel Air. where it stopped Tue property chiefly
owned by foreign residents. composed Of Eogishnen,
Hollanders Germans. FrenchmeB. and few Americans,
and was insured in companies III European cities mostly
In Amsterdam, Holland, where the loss falls very
heavily No American companies los: anything by the
fire. The portion OF the city which was destroyed was
composed Of very old houses, OF which built
at the ume Of the first settlement 800 years and
were for the most part low frame buildings OF little in
trinsic value occupied in the lower part as stores and
above as dwellings Tie entire northern portion of the
city was swept by the flames and destroyed
While the buildings had little value. their con
tents, which consisted OF merchandise OF every
description, exceedingly costly and consisted OF
some Of the finest fabrics sold n the worlds markets
Portau Prince port of entry the capital and prlDci
pal seaport OF the Island OF Hayt 1t distributes its
goods to the wealthy residents who reside inland, and
affords au outlet for the vaed and rich products Of
that fertile region and salubrious climate There
score private residences in the place not connected
with stores or bazaars. Thus the fire which swept
away their rendered them destitute OF their
homes and in many instances OF their clothing and
household goods Although hosptaole doors were
everywhere open to tae sufferer much discou
fort prevailed. The Government through Its officials
did all that was possible provide for the Immediate
wants OF the homeless bat that consisted Of nothing
proclamation urging the citizens not to be-
come and promising them aid and assistance
No substantial relief afforded. The real assistance
came from the old residents.
The fire has had a depressing influence upon some,
and certain Indifference 10 the future is manifested
This however. appears more among the natives than
the fore gner who compose the majority OF the suffer
Many Of the latter have already taken measures 10
rebuild tber houses and again start in business Among
them Mr. F. B. Coles, who arrived u this city yester
day the Etna for the purpose Of purchasing goods
His STOCK. consisting Of merchandise OF every descrp
ton was entirely destroyed He said that at about
p. OF Feb II, while there was heavy gale, an alarm
of fire was given, having originated in small wooden
building in the northern part OF the CITY, Some OF the
engines belonging 10 the Government responded: but
II apparent that they would be unable to check
the flames and the two volunteer organizations added
their force the regular number and the utmost effort
made to check the flames The combustible nature Of
the structures and the high wind caused the flames
spread with great rapidly. At times dozsn separate
fires occurred Many persons had barely time 10 escape
with their lives and in most cases their goods
trey destroyed. In hours from the time Of the
breaking out the fire space OF about onehalf mile
square had been covered by the flames. 400
houses had been destroyed and about t2,ooo,OOO
worth OF property consumed. BY blowing up
buildings and leaving nothing for the fire to feed upon,
IL was finally stopped. No public building was de
sroyed and the most valuable business houses we're
saved Mr. j. D. Hepburn. an American merchant lost
his life while attempting to save some OF his property
He had rescued his wife and children aud removed them
10 place OF safety aud went back into his baz iar to
endeavor to some OF his goois. While there lie
was surrounded by flames and unable TO escape His
dead body found after this hro IN the we'll Ia the
rear OF the store Whether he fell la or tInDoi IN "