Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-08-06


SPOKANE FALLS, W.T., Aug. 6.-The wires
are now in such condition that somewhat
fuller particulars Of Sundays confagration can
be given. The fire started at 6:l5 o'clock
pm. in the roof Of lodging-h house ON Railroad
avenue, the third door from Post street A
dead calm prevailed at the time and the spec
tators supposed that the firemen would speedily
bring the flames under control. This could have
been done If better precautions had been taken,
but the superintendent of the water works was
out OF the city and for some reason the men in
charge failed to respond to the call for more
pressure. The heat created a current of air
and in less than half an hour the entire block
OF frame shops were enveloped in flames and
burning shingles and other debris filled
the air, igniting several of the
adjoining blocks, and at the same time
the opposite block to that in which the fire
originated, in which street the Pacific hotel,
one of the handsomest structures in the north
west, took fire. 1t was not 10 o'clock and by
that time the 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 ex-
ecution and the explosions
ADDED TO THE REIGN OF TERROR.
The picture was weird, grand and awful, as
block after block yielded to the demon of de-
struction. The sky was overcast with black
clouds A strong wind sprang up from the
northeast, tanning the flames furiously, while
an upper current continued to carry the burn
ing embers in the opposite direction. The
Grand hotel, Washington block, Eagle block,
Tull block, New Granite block, Cushing build
ing, Falls City opera house, Hyde block and
all the banks, and in fact every house
from Railroad avenue north to the
T.Inpnin sfraaf alf IN h
lngton street. with the exception of O few
buildings in the northeast corner, were totally
destroyed. Meanwhile a sudden change in the
direction of the wind carried the fire southwark
across Railroad avenue and destroyed the
Northern Pacific passenger and freight depots
and several cars. The freight depot was
splendid structure and was filled to the roof
with valuable merchandise, very little of which
was saved. The terrifying shrieks of a dozen
locomotives mingled with the roar of flames,
the bursting of cartridges, the booming of giant
powder, the hoarse shouts of men, and
PITIFUL sHRIEKs OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
Looking upward a broad and mighty river Of
flame was seen against jet black sky. Occa-
sionally two opposing currents OF wind met,
causing a whirlwind of fire that seemed to pen
citrate the clouds, performing all sorts of fan
tastic gyrations. N this manner the appalling
monster held high carnival until about 10
o'clock, when Howard Street bridge over the
and burned for hours on the crystal
surface of the river. Many times flying pillars
OF fire covered the river, igniting the mammoth
lumber and flooding mills that lined its banks,
but by heroic efforts Its career was checked on
the south side of the stream. Looking back
ward, however the beholder witnessed scene
of desolation that was fearful to contemplate
Fragments OF the naked walls of what we're
four hours before magnificent structures of
brick and granite stood like grim sentinels
over the surface of the burning sea.
ALL WAS DEVASTATION AND BUN.
The burned district embraces thirty blocks
besides the depot. The only brick business
houses left standing are the Crescent block and
the American theater. The schools aud
churches, the college and hospital were beyond
the lines of the burned district and were not
lost. 1t is impossible at this writing to esti-
mate the loss with any degree of accuracy, but
it will not fall short of ten million dollars with
an insurance OF about one-fourth of that
amount. The banks have obtained tenn
porary. quarters and several have already
opened for business. The work of clearing
away the debris has already begun, and the
work of rebuilding will be also commenced at
once. Firemen are blowing down dangerous
walls and a militia company is guarding the
burnt district. while mounted police patrol the
entire city. The company will be reinforced
by a company from Walla-Walla to-day. The
city council has held a meeting and discussed
resolution prohibiting the erection of wooden
buildings in the burnt district. and a mass
meeting Of citizens sustained it unanimously.
1t will be passed at the regular Wednesday
meeting
The council has passed resolution revoking
the licenses of all hotels and restaurants and of
dealers in provisions who advance their prices.
Only two saloons remain and they have been
closed by order of the MAYOR. The council or
dered the committee on fire, water and sewers
to investigate the cause of the absence of its
superintendent of works, as the man left in
charge was incompetent.
HOPEFUL FEELING PREVAILS,
and although the destruction will retard the
progress Of the city for time it is impossible
that resources SO vast and stability so well
established should be biotted out 1t will rise
again, grander and better than before, and
win still claim its position as a commercial
center and the railway center Of eastern Wash
ington.