Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-26
A SCENE OF DEsOLATION.
Appearance of Bay City, Mich, After Vest
days Great Fire.

Appearance of Bay City, Mich, After Yester-
days Great Fire.
DETROIT, MICH, July 26.-A Free Press spe-
cial, describing the Bay City fire, says: The
flames we're so intensely hot that they set fire
to adjoining buildings, and the department
seemed entirely helpless until the wind went
down and the flames ceased 10 spread. The
burned territory presents a scene of desolatiOn
from Broadway to the river, and from 29th to
SD is a sea of molten fire. Here and there are
chimneys standing specter-lke in the midst of
the dying embers. Acres of stubs are burning
brightly and illuminate the scene. In the pub
lie park are 600 men, women and children, who
have been deprived of their homes by the de-
vouring element"
DETROIT, MICH, July 26.-A special from
Bay City to the Journal says: The terrible fire
which started yesterday afternoon continued to
rage all night, and the sun arose this morning
on q field of ashes extending over forty blocks.
1t was impossible to check the flames, carried
before gale, until everything in the track had
been consumed and today it is estimated that at
least 500 buildings are in ruins, represent
ing loss Of probably 81 SOC. 600. Soon after the
flames started in Miller Il Turner's sawmill
it was seen that this end Of the city was
doomed. There was q terrific wind blowing
from the southwest, and great punches of burn
ing boards we're lifted and scattered about the
lumber yard. The first alarm quickly fol-
lowed by general one, calling out every par
tlcle OF apparatus in the city.
Almost before the firemen knew it cloud OF
flame and embers had swept across Harrison
street, and in fifteen minutes the eastern row
Of frame buildings from 33d to 30th street. four
blocks, was ablaze. The firemen would no
sooner lay their lines of hose than the fire
would be upon them and they would be COM
PEELED to fee for their lives.
Burning boards were carried 200 feet in the
air and wherever they dropped some house OF
store would at once add its fuel to the confa-
grafton.
The progress of the fire was from Harrison
street to Polk, then to Taylor. then to Web
ster, then to Mccormick and Marsac, and there
is not a building left standing in this entire
area.
This section was largely occupied by the
homes Of laboring men. The latter were COM
PEELED to abandon everything. and today they
are huddled into temporary quarters, without
a possession in the world and nothing to eat.
Drays, vans and carts Of every character
we're rushed to the doomed section and in, them
were hurriedly piled household goods. The
progress Of the fire was so swift that even some
OF these wagons were overtaken and burned in
the streets.
The iremen finally drew back from the fire
and tried to make O stand several blocks away.
Butwith a roar the cyclone Of heat and fire
swept down on them, and at $50 the Michigan
box factory, thirteen blocks from where the
blaze first started began to burn. The employees
however, were on guard and managed to save
the main building. This was the beginning OF
the end, rs the hoped-for cessation of the
second began. The fremen took new heart.
They made another stand two blocks further
up Broadway and were victorious in checking
the spread Of the flames.