Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-06
SPOKANE FALLS FIRE.
Particulars Of the Great
COnfiagratiOn.
LOSSES vARIOUSLY ESTIMATED.
The Entire Business Portion of the
City Destroyed in Three
Hours.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatches to the HERALD

Associated Press Dispatches to the HERALD.
SPOKANE FALLS, W. T., August g.
The entire business portion of the city
was destroyed last night. Twenty-Five
blocks were reduced to ashes. The esti
mated loss is $l4 100000. The fire
started at 7 O'Clock p M, in lodging
house on Railroad avenue. The fire de-
partment appeared on the scene quickly
but owing to lack of water the fire
quickly spread to adjoining frame build
ings and was soon beyond control. The
flames jumped across the street to the
Russ House and Pacific Hotel. By this
time a strong wind had sprung up,
and it was evident the city was doomed.
The fire spread with fearful rapidity the
firemen were powerless. Attempts were
made to check the fire by blowing up
buildings in its path, but all such efforts
we're useless.
PATH OF THE FLAMES.
From the Pacific Hotel the fire jumped
across First street to the frame buildings
in the next block, and soon it reached
the heart of the city. A block of two
story brick buildings on Riverside ave-
nue. next went. From here the fire was
communicated to the magnificent Hyde
block, four-story building, taking in
the whole block between Mill and How
ard streets on Riverside avenue. The
fire leaped across Howard street, and in
q few minutes the block between How
ard and Stevens was reduced to ashes.
- - = kt,<xl lorr T,,1l
block and solid block of four-story
bricks, including the postoffice, between
Stevens and Washington. Here the fire
burned out from lack of material.
ANOTHER COURSE.
From the point of beginning the fire
took another direction, leaping across
Sprague street to the Opera-House block.
From it the flames leaped across River
side avenue to Browns Bank, then both
sides of the avenue were in flames. The
block between Post and Mill streets was
quickly licked up, including the Grand
Hotel. From here the fire was COM
municsted to the adjoining block on the
right. Here was the Frankfort block,
the largest building in the city, it cost
$25O,OOO. 1t withstood the fire some
time but finally succumbed.
ONE LIFE LOST.
The Arlington Hotel was the next to
go. The building was enveloped in
flames, when man was seen to jump
from the second story. He arose and
started down Howard street, when he
was overcome by the heat and fell Sew
eral people rushed to his assistance and
carried him to place of safety. He was
pitiable sight, being literally roasted,
his skin peeling off all over his body.
His name is Charles Davis, of Billings,
Montana. He died about noon.
THE FIRE COMPLETES IT'S WORK.
From the Arlington the fire travelled
north and consumed the block between
Howard, Main, Front and Stevens streets,
burning east as far as the latter street,
where a vacant lot checked further pro-
gress in that direction. Everything in
the portherly direction, including the
Northern Pacific Express building, Union
block and Windsor hotel, was soon
mass of flames. The river prevented the
fire from doing further damage, and was
the means of saving the big Touring and
lumber mills. By this time, in the short
space of three hours, the fire had con-
sumed everything in its path,
business portion of the once beautiful
city. The only business block left stand
ing is the Crescent building, which was
saved by tearing down the intervening
buildings. Owing to the rapidity with
which the fire spread, scarcely anything
was saved.
Provisions are scarce and will last only
a short time. The City Council met
this morning and appointed committee
on relief. Provisions will be sent for
and the needy supplied free.
SUPERINTENDENT OF WATER WORKS CEN
sURED.
The City Superintendent of Water
Works was roundly censured by the
Council for neglecting his duty, being
away at the time of the fire. The big
pumps were not connected at the time
of the fire and there was scarcely any
pressure. Had there been, the fire would
have been easily gotten under control.
The militia is out in force and all per-
sons without passes are forbidden in the
burnt district. Five out of the seven
banks are doing business today in Cres-
cent block. The losers bear their losses
bravely Many business men have al.
ready signi6ed their intention to rebuild.
OTHER REPORTED FATALITIES.
A woman, whose name is unknown,
leaped from the second story of the Pa
ci6c Hotel and was killed. The fire
spread with such astonishing rapidity
that it is believed many were shut off
from escape before they were even aware
of their danger.
A man jumped from the second story
of the Opera House block and several
bones were broken.
An unknown man was shot by explod-
ing cartridges and is supposed to be dead.
INSURANCE LOSSES.