The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-04-19
A DELUGE Of FIRE.
The Greatest Confla-
grafton ever Known
in Honolulu.
Chinatown Wiped Away.

What has long been feared by
some, and considered certain event
by others, has happened. The Chi
nese quarter of Honolulu has been
devastated by fire, that, gaining
headway in the dense aggregation OF
wooden buildings, was quickly be-
yond control and sweeping in all
directions. Practically all of China
town proper has been involved in a
sudden and vast conhagration. With
its narrow alleys and dark, unwhole-
some courts and novels. its pictur-
esque ugliness and interesting Orien-
tai features; its immense traffic, on
large and small scales, legitimate and
otherwise; its social institutions, OF
good and bad repute, it has been
wiped almost completely off the city
plot. A large amount OF valuable
property belonging to people OF the
European and Hawaiian races has
been obliterated at the same time
within and on the borders OF China
town. Below will be found particu-
lars of this overshadowing event, AS
full and accurate as possible under
the circumstances.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
Yesterday-Sunday, April 18th,
1SS6-will ever be memorable in the
annals of Honolulu for this great
fire. A few minutes before 4 o'clock
the fire started in Chinese cook
house on the corner of Hotel street
and Smiths lane. 1t was produced
accidentally by the owner of the
premises in lighting his fire fol
cooking. Some Chinese ran from
the spot, by way of Meek street, to-
ward the Police Station, shouting al
alarm. Officer McKeague ordered
the Station bell to be rung, which
was done with vigor. A genera
alarm quickly followed from all the
engine houses. China Engine Com
pany was the first TO reach the
scene. AT the start few buckets o
water would have quenched th'
flames, but the Chinese denizens o
the neighborhood, in terror OF losing
their all, paid no attention to th'
flaming house, but devoted all thei
activity and energy to saving tn,
contents of their shops and tene
ments. Although not breath o
wind stirred, the intlammable natur
of surrounding buildings invited tn
flames, and quicker than can be toll
the fire was leaping from roof to roo
gliding along verandahs, entwinin
itself about pillars and posts, fes
tooning doors and windows, an
darting its fangs into every corne
and Granny where sure hold coul
be obtained. In the calm the smok
rose in vast volume, mingled wit
tongues of flame, high into the nj
showing the entire population of tn
city and suburbs that formidabl
fire had started. Both thorough
fares from the starting point wei
soon lanes of fire, quickly extendin
themselves into other streets.
PROGRESS OF THE FIRE.
BY o'clock the fire had sprea
along Hotel street near Maunake
and the fine three bodybuilding,
Sun Hang Far Co., corner of Maun
kea and Hotel streets, was envelope
in flames. 1t was evident by this tin
that the fire was beyond control. III
flames from this structure ignited ii
Hop Chong Market and Hing II
Laundry on the opposite side OF Il
street, which were soon ablaz
From this corner, it marched stcadi
forward in opposite directions towar'
Beretania and King streets, the fir
men fighting it at every step, but Il
odds were against them. Engil
No. and the Hose reels of Nos.
and 5 were stationed ut the corner
Maunakea and King streets. A nur
ber of sailors from the British wa
ships in port, happening on shol
went to work and rendered eflecti
service. Hawaii Engine No. 4, wi
No. | Hose reel was stationed at Il
corner of Beretania and Nuuar
streets, whence couple of stream
were played upon n mass OF sm'
wooden buildings to the rear
Loves bakery. Operations at til
point were ably conducted by e
Marshal Parke and Mr.. j. A. Hassi
ger, whose skilful generalship W
crowned with success in preventir
the fire from reaching Beretan