Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-07-10
WIPED OUT BY FIRE.
The City Of St. Johns. N. F., Al
most II not Wholly Destroyed.
ANUMBER OF LIvEsLosT
riftesn Thousand People Rendered Home
tiess-The Money Loss Twenty Millions
OF Doiiars-ReIicf Measures
fny ,slegrapn 70 ono plspa.ch.l

fly telegraph TO tho Dispstch.l
HArirAx. N. s.. July e.--The greater part
Of st. Johns. N. F., has been wiped out BY
6re About o'clock yesterday afternoon
house on Longs Hill was discovered TO
be on Ere. Tho frcmen responded prompt
~ TO tho alarm. but whom they arrived the
southwest wind that prevailed had caused
the fre to spread to an adjoining building
which was then burning furiously. Des-
perate efforts were made TO stay tho pro-
gress of tho fire. but II was soon
seen that these would prove futile. Most
Of the houses ON Longs Hill were very
old wooden ones, and they burned with
great rapidly. Largo burning brands
were caught up by the WIND and carried
to the roofs OF other structures, which
were soon burning furiously. II was soon
seen that the FIRE department was help
less. and people living in the path that
the FIRE was destined TO take began to re-
move their portable household effects and
vaIuables. Some of these people lost
their lives by their foolbardiness in re-
turning TO their homes when the flames
were close upon them.
While these dwelling houses we're burn.
ing unbindered IT was found that the new
Methodist College was on fire. Efforts
were made 10 save this building. but they
were fruitless. The college was the educa-
tional headquarters of the Methodists IN
Newfoundland, and its loss will be severely
felt by the denomination.
THE FIRE SPREADS ApPALLISGLY.
By this time the wind was blowing
gale. and the fire was spreading with APP
palling rapidity. Buildings situated some
distance from the burning structures
caught FIRE from the burning emoers and
were destroyed without hand being
raised TO attempt to save them. The fire.
men and the people were completely para
lived. aud the fire did its work Of destruc-
ton unhindered.
II was then growing dark and the scene
whs magnifcently beautiful one, though
appalling. Building after building caught
FIRE and the whole city was as light as IN
the day time. The roar of the flames was
terrible, and the heat was so intense that
il was impossible TO get anywhere near
the burning buildings. Now and then
high and heavy walls would fail and then
immense masses of burning embers would
soar upward and be caught by the gale
and carried elsewhere to add other build
ings to the confagration.
Men, women, and children ran about in
terror. and thieves, taking advantage Of
the confusion, entered houses that had
been deserted by their occupants and stole
whatever they could lay their hands on
and carry of.
The Masonic Temple, Orange Hall. Blsh-
ops Palace. ST. Patricks Hall, the English
Cathedral, the Athenmum. the Kirk. the
Commercial Bank. the Union Bank. the
Atlantic Hotel. and LinberR's brewery all
fell prey TO the deyouring element.
sUPERB STRUCTURE GONE.
The English Cathedral was magnificent
structure, and was considered the finest
piece Of Gothic architecture on this con-
fiuent. II was yet incomplete, though II
had been fifty wears in building.
Nearly all these buildings were in the
centre of the city, and before long they
were nothing but masses of smoking ruins.
In addition to these tho courthouse, police
Headquarters. and the government savings
bank were destroyed, as were also the
Presbvterian church and the Office OF the
TteTdm.
EATING UP THE WAREHOUSES.
The flames werc then raging with in
crossing vigor in the direction of the
waterfront, and in very short time were
entiug up the warehouses along the
wharves. The shipping lying at the
AVID the crews of the various vessels hasti-
Nv cast Of their lines and took their craft
outsidc the harhOr. On one side of the
bay are the seal-oil factories and the ware
houses in which their product is stored.
IL was thought that these buildings would
catch fire. II was also feared that the dry
deck and marine railway would be de-
stroyed.
The fire burned out the telegraph-o fices,
aud for time all communication with st.
Johns was cut OF. This morning, how
ever, the telegraph officials established O
temporary office in what they considered
safe part of the city, and further details
were received.
THE WHOLE CITY THREATENED.
These later dispatches state that the FIRE
fire had ragged all night and threatened to
destroy the whole city. 1t is known posi-
lively that one man and six children have
persisted but il is thought that when tho
terrible excitement that now prevails sub
sides il will be found that the loss of life
is much greater.
A later dispatch states that the Parlia-
ment buildings have been destroyed, and
that al the time the dispatch was sent
fully COO buildings had been destroyed.
Many of these were dwelling houses, and
the occupants have been compelled 10 seek
refuge in the fields. The military authori-
ties have furnished them with as many
tents as possible. and the civil authorities
are doing everything in their power to
alleviate the distress.
MANY of these unfortunate people have
lost everything they had in the world, and
IMPERATIVE calls will bo made upon charity
in their behalf.
COMPLETE EXTINCTION FEARED.
This morning the fire communicated 70
the scale factories and stores, and the
whole south side of the city was burning.
A large fire was coming down the Fresh
water Valley and the whole population of
st. Johns were in an agony. OF despair,
seeing before them the complete extinc-
ton OF their CITY.
A private dispatch received here early
stated that the fire has swept Water,
Cover, and Duckworth streets. From
Dandy Kankin's TO Signal Hill the only
buildings standing are the Union Bank,
the Roman Catholic Cathedral and Col
lege, and the Devon Row railway depot.
About 600 houses are burned. The loss ~
thought to bo about s8,000,0O0.
THE FASHIONABLE QUARTER AFLAMR.
Another dispatch says that the FIRE has
broken out in -Monkstown, In which are
situated the residences of the most wealthy
inhabitants OF the town.
The principal street of st. Johns is |
more than mile in length, and every !
building on IL was of stone or brick. After |
the fire in 1876 the authorities refused to |
permit wooden buildings 10 be erected on |
the street This street has been practically |
destroyed. A, ha.f-past O'clock the tele- !
graph officials reported that II was i'm |
possible TO raise st. Johns. and stated that |
they thought the fire had driven tho ope- |
rators out of the temporary office.
FIFTEEN THoUsAEp PEOPLE HOMELESS.
IL is now impossible to learn ANYTHING |
concerning the situation in the. unfortu- !
nate city, From what can be judged from |
the reports received here it is estimated !
that at least 1900 persons are homeless.
lhe Loss SEQ, 900, 900.
HALIFAX. n. s.. July AT twenty min |
utts OF tonight Geographic communica-
tion with ST. Johns was restored. The |
FIRST dispatch received alter the wires were |
again in working order stated that the |
lcca bv fha ra 10 placaA al ~10 600 On