Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-06
RED hot ASHES
Where Once Stood the Business
Part Of Spokane Falls.
Only One Business Block Leit Stlndins-.
Provisions Scarce.
One Victim Roasted Ahve-Latsas Re-
ports Give Loss at 4lA, 600 600.


SroKANE FAILS. W. T.. August 5.
| The entire business portion of this city
vac burned last night, 25 blocks being re-.
duced TO ashes. Estimated loss $l4 ,ooO, 900
The IRE started at p. NJ in lodging house
on Railroad avenue. The fire department
came out promptly but owing to the lack Of
water tue IRE quickly sp7eai TO adjoining
frame buildings and was soon beyond con
troll. The flames jumped across the street
To the Russ House and Pacific Hotel. A
strong wind sprung up and the fre spread
| with fearful rapidity. The iremea were
2owerless- A useless attempt was made to
| check il by blessing up buildings in its path,
From the Pacific Ho;el the fire swept across
First St. 10 frame building in the next
block ani soon reached the heart Of the city
A block and two story brick building on
Riverside avenue were easily carried away.
From here the IRE communicated to Hyde
block, a four story building, taking ia the
whole square between Mill and Howard
streets on Riverside avenue, II then Ieaped
across Howard street. and in few mnntes
the block between Howard and Stevens
streets was mass of red hot ashes. The
next structure To succumb was the large
Tult block From mere the eouiiagratiou
went whirling through solid blocks of four
story brick buildings, including the post
office between Stevens and Washington
streets. At this point the fire burned out
from lack of material. From this place the
origin of the IRE meanwhile had taken
another direction, leaping across Sprague
street TO the Opera House, theme. over
Riverside avenue 10 browns bank. Then
both sides of the avenue were in flames |
The buildings between Post and Mill streets |
were quickly licked up, including the Grand |
Hotel. From here waves of flames poured |
into the adjoining square on the right, con-
tanning Frankfort block, the largest building
in the city. Frankfort block cost $3.50 900. |
1t withstood the fire for some time, but |
finally disappeared
The Arlington hotel is now enveloped in |
flames. Suddenly man was seen 10 jump
from the second story. He arcs. and started
to run down Howard street, but was over |
come by the hea, and fell. He was carried |
to a place OF safety. lie was literally rJa,s.
ed alive, the skin peehng OF! all over his
body, and he died at noon today.
The fire spread to the north from the
Arlington hotel, and consumed the bloc. |
between Howard, Main, Front an S.csens
street, burning east Jar as the latter thor
eughfsre, where vacant lot checked its fur
ther progress 10 tina; direction Every thing
to the north, including the Nor hern Pacific /
express office, Union block aud the Windsor .
hotel ere soon a ma of flames. The river ,
prevented the fire doing further damage, sa'-
ing all the big Touring ani lumber mills.
Three hours sufteed TO complete the /
awful destructioa. The only business block
left standing in the city is the Crescent build
ing which Was saved by tearing down the /
intervening bu.idings. Owing to the rapid /
ity with which the fire spread, scarcely any
hing was saved. Provisions are scarce and
will last only shoIt time. The city coun-
Gil met this morning and appointed COM
mittee on relief and dire cted that provisions
be sent for the needy and TO be supplied
free.
The superintendent of the city water
works was denounced by the council for |
ueglecting his duty, he being away at the
time of the fire. The big pumps were not |
connected ind as result there was scarcely |
any pressure. Had the contrary been !
the case the fire could have been easily got |
ten under control. The militia are out in |
force aud all persons without passes are for
bidden to eiter the burned district. Five |
out of the seven banks destroyed were do |
ing business today, all being located in
Crescent block.
Notwithstanding the extent of the calamity
the people wear cheerful air and bear their
losses brave!y. Many business men have
already signficd their intention to rebuild.