New-York tribune., 1876-06-01
TIE GREAT QUEBEC FIRE.

RAPID sPREAD or THE FLAMES-GIEAT CONFUSION
IN THE srREETs-THE FIRE DRiGADEs POWER
LEss-FEw LIVES LOSE
QvEBEC, May 31.-Nearly 700 houses were de-
stroyed by the fire which yesterday ragged for nine
hours in this city, The fire was caused, it is sup
posed, by children playing incautiously with
matches. 1t began in stai,ic IN Scott-s belonging
to Leon BoYin carter The flames were first noticed
by tho fire brigade about 3 o'clock in the after
noon, and the alarm was Immediately sounded.
There was smart westerly wind blowing at the
time and this served to carry the flames to the roofs
of ncghboring houses, which being mostly Of wood
Iguited rapidly Immense clouds of black smoke
belched forth and threw a dark shadow over the
vicinity. Vehicles Of all sorts pressed into SER
vice, and people began moving their effects. Val
liable articles Of furniture thrown from
windows hauled through doorways, rapidly
blocking up the paveDents and portions
of the streets. Heavily laden horses
wendcd their way through these distractions,
whipped aud urged on by half frantic drivers.
This created terrible confusion. Men aud women
rushed wildly about looking for children, who in
turn sought anxously for their parents. John-st
and the lower suburbs were crowded with effects
saved and deposited on the sidewalks and in every
vacant space. St. Louis-st. and the cricket field
were also occupied 10y household goods, while the
lower fields toward the close of night looked
like fair ground. Police were early on the ground
also the fire brigade in full strength, but as
usual the water supply was slow in coming to their
aid. TIE Lewis steam engine did excellent service
during the evening in checking the spread of the
fire IN St. Eustache, drawing its supply of water
from a well at Esplanade and projecting it through
about 3 900 feet of rubber hose. The city steam fire
engine also was placed in the vicinity Of 81. Johns
Church. but il did no, get into proper working order
until the evening was somewhat advanced, owing to
4 scauty supply OF water.
TIE FIAMIs UNCoYrRoGLABLE.
The fire having got headway, IL was impossi-
ble to check its progress, and 1t had TO oe lett 10
take its course. driven as il by westerly wind
The efforts Of the Fire Brigade, the Provincial Po-
lice and Battery B were limited 10 fighting the
flames wherever an opportunity offered of confinng
them within narrower circle. Tho rows of build
ings lining Grande Alice. though in great danger at
one tmc were saved but il may be stated generally
that whole section Of the city Is now only forest
of chimncy-stacks and smoldering ruins This
burned district Is bounded on the east by that part
of St. Eus'ache-st from the cricket field to south
side of Artilerys,.. inclusive; the west by Claire
and Fouiainc-sts 70 the lower field; on the north by
Artillery-st and the south by the Grande Alice.
The streets wholly or partially destroyed may be
enumerated rs follows: Glare, Fcnaine, Burton,
Provost Pcssis Scott. Drolct, Berthelot, St Marga
ret, Lacheurotcrc, st. Michel, Amahle, Ddrtigny,
Artillery 81. Cro;x, ST. Jalia St Augustine and ST.
rustachc At Oae time also embcrs were carried by
the wind and fell. in showers within the walls, set
ting fire TO number Of houses but fortunately IN
all cases tho flames were speedily extinguIshed.
After ughlfall the wind luled somewhat, and the
conagraion gradually burned itself out on the line
Of st. Eustache-st having nothing more to feed
upon owing 10 the fortunate Intervention at this
point of the Glacis Field and Esplanade
THE LOSS or LIFE SLIGHT.
II was reported last night that woman was
missing also "a child of blr Cote, joiner, ON Scott
ST. who was himself badly burned about the face
and hands, and also two other children, whose
names it was impossible to ascertain. IL is also
stated that one of the nuns of the Good Shepherd
Convent who was in delicate health. received such
a nervous shock as to supcrinduce her sudden death.
There were MINOR casualties and narrow escapes
both among inmates of houses and those who were
working in their behalf.
Notwithstanding the watchfuness of the police
there was necessarily considerable amount OF pil-
ferng owing to the extent of ground over which the
goods of the sufferers were scattered. Through the
initiative Of the Mayor. the rding-school, drl-shed
artillery and Jesuit barracks were obtained from
the authorities as places of refuge. Bread and tea
were served to the homeless during the evening
Similar measures of relief were also taken tins
morning.
Careful inquiry shows that II streets were burned
and from 100 to 800 houses. The loss is estimated
at $500 900. upon which the insurance as far as
known is as follows In the Quebec Company,
$50, 600; Royal. $4,000; Stadacona $4,000;
Liverpool, London, and Globe, $4,000; Scottish
Commercial, $4,000; Royal Canadian. Niagara
District Western, and British American, $4,000
each and other companies for smaer sums.
The number of people rendered homeless Is about
1000 A meeting called by the Mayor to-day TO
devise means for their relief was largely attended,
and a committee appointed 10 collect tunds'
ID