Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-08-08
THE GREAT FIRE.
Particulars OF the COnfingrAti0n
That DeHaNIaIed SpOkaue FnltA.

Particulars OF the COnTngrntiOn
That OegapIaIed spokane Fails.
SPOKANE FALLS, W. T., Aug. 6.-rhe
WIRES Gre now in such condition that
somewhat fuller particulars of sundays
contiagration can be given. The fire
started at 6 l5 p. M, liz the roof lodg-
ing house on Railroad avenue the third
door from Post street. A dead calm pre-
vailed at the time and the spectators sup.
posed that tie fEemen would speedily
bring the flames under control
This could have been done il better
precaution had been taken, but the
superintendent OF the water works was
out of the city, and for some reason the
men in charge faiied to respond 10 the
call for more pressure. The heat created
q current of air, and in less than half an
hour the entire block of frame sbops
we're enveloped in flames and burning
shingles and other debris filled tue air,
ignltsng several of the adj joining blocks.
AZ the sRlnB time the opposite block to
thai ia which the fire Originated, in which
stood the Pacific Hotel, one Of the hand
s1mest Atr0ctnreR in the northwest, took
fire. IL was 10 O'Clock nd b. t.st time
ice high Tiad prevailed iFom tbs gOuth-
west and It Was evident that the entire
business portion OF the city WAS danger.
Mayor FASH ordered that building0 be
blown up with giant powder to Check the
\ spread Of tne tife. Iuid order IVES speed.
lily put into execution and the explosions
Btded to the gei IN Of terror. Tbs picture
was WeiId, grand and awful rs 6luoE after
! Dlock yielded to the demon Of destrug-
ton. Tho Sky was overcast with
bggus clouds. a Etroug Wind sprang
up from the north asst tanning
ios flames far.oGs, Wbila "a
Taper cGSrent coutinaud 10 carry
the burning ambers N the opposite diIec.
lion. The Grand Hotel Washington
bslek, Eagle stock, Tut block, New
Granite biGgs, Gushing Building Fails
City Opera Honse, Hyde bloch snd al the
banks and IN fact every huuse from Rail
road avenue ncrth to he river and from
Lincoln street east TO Washington street,
with the exception Of few buildings on
The northeast corner, were totally de-
stroYed.
AeangEile sudden change in the d.
ractioa Of tue Wind carried lhs nre south.
wsrd across Railroad RYelGs and do
atroyed the Northern PRG,du passenger
and freight dspo.a and 2oyeraI cars. The
freight depot WAS splendid structure
and IVES filed to he roof with valuable
merchandise, very little of which wal
saved.
The terrifying shrieks Of dozen loco
motives mingled with the roar OF flames
the bursting OF cartridges, the booming
, o. Giant powder, The hosEEe shonts o
, men and pitifnl ghtieks OF women ant
! cai'dren. Locking upward broad ant
! mighty river Of flame was seen against
al black sky. Occasionally two Oppos
~ currents OF wind met, canning
W4rlwind Of fire that seomed to ptne
} tI"ts the clouds, performing all sorts o
{ iuu'astie Ryrations. In this manner tn
( appalling monster held high carnival I'm
t til a1out 10 o'clock, when Howard stree
{ 0iidge over tie river went down.
Many times Tying pillars of fise Gov
!, cred the river, ignitinR the mHulmot
! number and Touring mills that lined il
3 8augS, but by heroic efforts its caree
. 1s3 checked on the south sids Of tn
stream. Locking backwards, however
ire neholder saw scsne Of desolauo
s thft was fearful 10 contemplate.
4 ils bNrGing ntstrIC. 4m0Fsces 30 bloSs
: hesil=s d depot. lis only brick Duz
= Deha uauScs left STANDING are the Gfescet
!, Block I'D tue American theatre.
o 1t i Impossible st this Whiting TO est
. mate ths loss Elth any dsgree 81 accnrar,
y 0Et It u not fail short Of SO guG ,OUi
!. with "a tslran"e OF about one forylh
Il that amount. The banks have obta.ne
ttngcy3ro quarters aud several have a
ready opened FOR business.
= The WOrE + reminding Rjil be con
: menced Ut once. Firemsn are blown
q down DANGEROUS walls aud q mil.