The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-10
ST. JOHNS IN FLAMES.
The Capital of Newfoundland
Almost Destroyed.
LOSS EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS.
Fifteen Thousand Persons Homeless
and Destitute-People Could Only
Watch the Red Sea Roll.

the damage done amounting TO $1,000, 900,
and severai lives were lost Yesterday aft
ernoon fire broke out in st. Johns that
threatened to far exceed in extent of
money, damage and loss OF life that disas-
trous conHagration. ABOUT O'Clock
house on Long Hill was discovered to be
on fire. When the fremen arrived the
southwest wind that was prevailing had
caused fire to spread to an adjoining build
ing. Desperate efforts were made to stop
the progress of the fire, but soon most of
the houses on Long Hill were burning.
Large burning brands were caught up by
the wind and carried to rows OF other
structures, which were soon burning furi-
ousiy. 1t was seen that the fire depart
ment was helpless, and the people living
In the path of the fire began to remove
portable household effects and yaluables
1t IS feared some of these people lost their
lives.
While the dwelling houses were burn
ing unhindered it was found that the new
Methodist college was on fire. Efforts
were made to save the building, but they
were truitiess. The college was the edu-
cational headquarters of the Methodists in
Newfoundland, and its loss will be
severely felt by the denomination. By
this time the wind was blowing gale and
the tire was spreading with terrible rapid
lty. Buildings situated some distance
from the burning structure caught fire
from burning embers and were destroyed
without hand being raised to save them.
The flremen and people were completely
paralyzed, and the lire did its work of
destruction without stav
1t was now growing dark and the scene
was magnifcently beautiful though an
appalling one. Building after building
caught fire, and the whole city was as
light as day. The roar of the flames as
terrible, and the heat so intense that it
was impossible to get anywhere near the
burning buildings. Now and then high
and heavy walls would fall and immense
masses of burning embers would soar up
ward, to be caught by the gale and carried
elsewhere to add other buildings to the
confiagration.
Men, women and children ran about in
terror, and thieves, taking advantage of
the confusion, entered houses that had
been deserted by the occupants and stole
whatever they could lay their hands on
and carry off. The Masonic temple, Or
ange hall. the Roman Catholic cathedral
L
the English cathedral, the Atheneum, the
Kirk house, the Commercial bank, the
Union bank, the Atlantic hotel and Lind
berg's brewery all fell prey to the deyour-
ing element.
The English cathedral was magnificent
structure, and was considered to be the
finest piece of Gothic architecture on this
continent. 1t was yet incomplete, though
it has been fifty years building. Nearly all
of these buildings We're in the center of
the city, and before long were masses of
smoking ruins. In addition to this the
police headquarters ana government saw
lngs bank were destroyed. as were also the
Presbyterian church and the office of the
Telegram. The flames were now raging
with increasing vigor in the direction of
the water front. and in short time was
eating up the warehouses along the
wharves.
The shipping lying at the wharves had
been warned of its danger. and the crews
OF the various vessels hastily cast off lines
and took their crafts outside the harbor
The fire burned out the telegraph office,
and for time all communication with ST.
Johns was cut off. This morning, how
ever, telegraph officials established tenn
porary Office in what they considered a
safe part of the city, and further details
were received. These later dispatches
stated that the fire had ragged all night
and threatened to destroy the whole city
The fire communicated to the seal oil fac
tories and stores. and the whole south
side of the city was soon burning. A
large fire was coming down Fresh Water
valley, and the whole population of ST.
Johns were in the agony OF despair. seeing
before them the complete extinction of the
city. The fire, later in the fornoon, broke
out IN Monkstown, in which are situated
the residences of the wealthy inhabitants
Of the town.
4 committee of Halifax citizens today
purchased $1,000 worth of provisions and
lumber, which are to be sent TO St. Johns
by steamer tonight. The military and
naval authorities also sent lot of tents
and canvas. and public meeting will be
held Monday night TO establish general
relief service. Tue military authorities
furnished as many tents as possible, and
the civil authorities are doing everything
III their power 10 alleviate the distress.
Many unfortunates lost everything they
had in the world, and imperative calls
will be made upon charity in their behalf.
Ii IS known positively that one man and
six children persisted. but 1t is thought
when the terrible excitement that now
prevails subsidies, it will be found that the
loss OF life was much greater. As many
as go buildings were burned up to this
morning. Many were dwelling houses,
and their occupants have been compelled
TO seek refuge in the ieds
The tire vas not gotten under control till
this evening. y high wind was blowing
and the danes swept from Freshwater
road TO Hoy -esJown. Most of the business
part of the city is in ashes. On Water,
East Duckworth. Cover, C0chrane. Kings.
Prescott and Cathedral streets. and on
Loni hill hardly a house IS standing. One
steamer was burned, but there was little
damage to shipping.
81. JOINS y. F., July 9.-The fire is I'M
der control this evening. Fifteen thou
sand persons have been rendered
homeless. The following streets were
wiped out: Military road, Duck
worth street, Prescott street, Queens
road, Cochrane street, Cover street, Kings
road, Cathedral hill. Longs hin. AT a
meeting OF the executive council today it
was resolved 10 graphic with the great
calamity that had befal.en the city as far
rs they can by supplying those rendered
destitute with provisions and other neces-
saries OF life. Browning's bakery and
Houston ; factory are being made ready
10 Accommodate the homeless as rapidly as
work can De carried ont. Sheds are being
erected IN the park. The ire stopped at
aieF street west, at BrowainG's. From
! tochrane street west 10 BrownIng's, once
thicStY studded with dwellings, there IS