New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-07
TO BUILD ON IT'S RUINS.
SPOKANE FALLS TO RISE FIRE.PROOF FROM
IT'S ASHES
TEN MILLIONS OF PROPERTY WIPED OUT IN
SUNDAYS CONFLAGRATION- - HOW THE
FLAMES SWEPT OVER THE
DOOMED CITY.

DOOMED CITY.
Spokane Falls, w. r., Aug 6.-The wires are
now in such condition that somewhat fuller par
tculars of Sundays conAagration can be given.
'Ihe IRE started at a quarter past o'clock p.
m, in the roof of lodging house in Railroad.
ave. the third door from Post-st. dead calm
prevailed at the time, and the spectators supposed
that the firemen would speedily bring the flames
under control This could have been done if
better precautions had been taken, but the super.
lhtendent Of the waterwGlIs was out of the city,
and Tor some reason the men in charge failed to
respond TO the call for pressure The heat Gre
ateu current of air. and in less than half an hour
lhe entire block of frame shops was enveloped III
ameS, and burning shingles and other debris filled
tle air, igniting several Of the adjoining blocks.
At the same time the opposite block to that in
which the fire originated, in which stood the
Pacific Hotel, one of the handsomest structures
In the Northwest, took fire.
IL was now 0 o'clock and by that time a
high wind prevailed from the southwest and it
was evident that the entire business portion OF
the city was in danger. Mayor Firth ordered that
buildings be blown up with giant powder to check
the spread Of the fire. This order was speedily
put into execution and explosions added to the
reign Of terror. The picture was weird grand
and awful. as block after block yielded TO the
demon of destruction. The sky was overcast with
black clouds. A strong wind sprang up from the
northwest tanning the flames furlCusly, while
an upper current continued TO carry the burning
timbcrs in the opposite direction. The Grand
Hotel, Washington Block Eagle Block, TulA
Block, New Granite Block Cushing Building
Falls City Opera House, Hyde Block, and all the
banks, and in fact every house from lEillroau-aNe
north to the river and from Lincoln-St. east
~ Westinghouse, with the exception OF a few
buildings in the northeast corner, were
totally destroyed Meanwhile sudden
change in the direction of the wind carried the
fire southward across Rilroad-ave., and destroyed
The Northern Pacific passenger and freight depots
and several cars. The freight depot was Il splendid
structure and was filled to the roof with valuable
merchandise, very little Of which was saved.
The terrifying shriells of a dozen locomotives
mingled with the roar Of the flames, the bursting
Of cartridges, the booming of giant powder, the
hoarse shouts of men and pitful shriells of women
and children. Looking upward broad and
mighty river Of fame was seen against jet
black sky Occasionally two opposing currents
of wind met, causing whirlwind of fire that
seemed to penetrate the clouds, performing all
sorts Of fantastic gyrations. In this manner the
appalling monster. held high carnival until about
l o o'clock, when the IlOward-St bridge over the
river went down. boom of logs took fire and
burned for hours on the surface of the river Many
times Hying pillars of fire covered the river icnit-
ing the mammoth lumber and Touring mills that
lined its banks; but by heroic efforts its career
was checked on the south side OF
the stream. Looking backward, however,
he behodcr witnessed scene of desciation.
FRAGMENTS of the naked walls Of what were four
hours before magnificent structures of brick and
granite stood like grim sentnels. Over the sur
face Of the burning sea, all was devastation ana
/ ruin.
The burned district embraces thirty blocks, be-
sides the depot The only brick business houses
left standing are the Crescent Block and the
American Theatre. The schools and churches,
the college and hospital, were beyond the lines OF
the burned district and were not lost. III IS I'M
possible at this writing to estimate the loss with
any degree of accuracy; but it Will not fall snort
Of SlOOOO.OOO, with an insurance OF about one
| fourth Of that amount. The banks have obtained
| temporary quarters, ana several h"Nc "IA0'"S
| Opcned for business.
The work of clearing away the debris has al
! ready begun and the work OF rebuilding VIII alSo
! begin at tlrcmen are blowing uown I'm, dan,
| cerouS walls and a militia company IS guarding
| tbe burned district, while mounted ponce palfoi
! tbe entire city. The company Will be re-
nforced by a company RON naIia 1
WaIlo To-day the City Council held meet
ng and discussed resolution prohibiting the
erection of wooden buildings in the burned dls-
! trict arI a mass meeting sustained this action
unanimously. ii 1t will be passed at the regular
meeting on We nesday: The council has passed
resolution revoldng the licenses OF an NOUS
and restaurants, and Of dealers in provisions wlo
advance their prices. Only two saloons remain
and they have been closed by order OF the Mayor:
The Council ordered the Committee on flfe' WaIer
and sewers to investigate the cause of the absence
Of is Superintendent Of Works, as the man Ieit
| in charge was incompetent ,,t .L
| destruction will retard the progress OF the CITY
for time it is impossible that resources 50 % vas5
and stability so well established should be blotted
out. 1t will rise again, grander ana oetter elah ,
! before and will still claim its position as COM
mcrciaI centre and the railway centre oil L'Slerh