Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-10
A CITY IN FLAMES,
Churches, Palaces and Parlia-
ment Buildings Involved
in the Ruin at
NEWFOUNDLAND CAPITAL
Fifteen Thousan d People Homeless,
$20,000,OOO in Ashes, and.
THE BIG FIRE Is STILL RAGING.
Telegraph Company Headquarters Driven
From Place to Place.
A LARGE LOSS OF LIFE is PROBABLE
NEWFOUNDLAND CAPITAL
THE BIG FIRE IS STILL RAGING
Telegraph Company Headquarters Driven
From Place to Place.
A LARGE LOSS OF LIFE is PROBABLE

HALIFAX, N. g., July 9.-Forty-six
years and one month ago to-day fire broke
out in st. Johns, the capital of Newfoand-
land, that destroyed a great part of the
city. Damage was done amounting to
81, 900, 900 and several lives were lost in
the flames
Yesterday afternoon FIRE broke out In
St. Johns that threatens to far exceed in
extent Of money damage and loss of lite
that of the disastrous confagratlon of 1S46
About o'clock house on Long Hill was
discovered to be on fire. Owing to south
west wind the fire spread to an adjoining
building.
Desperate efforts were made to stay the
progress of the fire, but it was soon seen
that these would prove fruitIess Most of
the houses On Longs Hill were very old
wooden ones, and they caught fire and
burned with great rapidity. Large burning
brands were caught up by the wind and car
ried to the roofs of other structures, which
were soon burning furiously. It was seen
that the fire department was helpless, and
the residents in the path that the fire was
destined to take began to remove their por-
table household effects and valuables
A New Methodist College Burned.
1t is feared these people lost their lives
by their foolhardiness in returning to their
homes when the flames were close upon
them. While these dwelling houses were
burning unhindered, it was found that the
new Methodist College was on fire. Efforts
were made to save this building, but they
were fruitless. The college was the
educational headquarters of the Methodists
is Newfoundland.
By this time the wind was blowing gale
and the fire was spreading with terrible
rapidity. Buildings situated some distance
from the burning structures caught fire from
the burning embers and we're destroyed
without hand being raised to save them.
The fremen and the populace were COM
pletely paralyzed, and the fire did its work
Of destruction without stay.
1t was now growing dark and the scene was
a magnificent and appalling one. Building
after building caught fire. The whole city
was as light as day. The roar of the flames
was terrible. and the heat was SO intense
that it was impossible to get anywhere near
the burning buildings Men, women and
children ran about in terror, and thieves,
houses that had been deserted by their occu-
pants and stole whatever they could. lay
their hands on.
Several Magnificent Buildings Destroyed.
The. Masonic Temple, Orange Hall, the
Roman Catholic Cathedral and Bishops
palace, St, Patrick's Hall, the English
Cathedral the Athenaum, the Kirk, the
Commercial Bank, the Union Bank, the
Atlantic Brewery, the Atlantic Hotel and
Linberg's brewery, all fell prey to the
flames. The English Cathedral was a mag
niicent structure, considered to be the
finest piece of Gothic architecture on this
continent. 1t was yet incomplete, though
it had been so years in building. Nearly
city.
In addition to these the court house,
police headquarters and the Government
Savings Bank were destroyed, as was 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, in very short time 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 took their craft out
side the harbor.
On one side of the bay are the steam seal
these building would catch fire and that the
dry dock and marine railroad would be de-
stroyed.
All Outside Communication Cut on
The fire burned out the telegraph office,
hence for a time all communication with
the outer world was cut of. This morning
the telegraph officials established q tenn
porary Office in what they considered safe
part of the city, and further details were re-
ceived
These later dispatches stated that the fire
had ragged all night, and threatened to de-
stroy the whole city. 1t is known posit i've
that one man and six children have per-
ished. but it is thought that when the ter-
rible excitement subsidies it 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 at the time the dispatch was sent fully
600 buildings had been burned. Many of
these were dwelling houses, and their occu-
pants have been compelled to seek refuge in
the fields. The military authorities have
furnished them with as many tents as posi-
BILE, and the civil authorities are doing
everything in their power to alleviate the
distress, Many have lost everything, and
imperative calls have been made upon char
ity in their behalf.
This morning the fire communicated to
the seal oil factories. The whole southside
ing down the Fresh Water Valley, throwing
the whole population of st. Johns in an
agony of despair, seeing before them the
probably complete extinction of their city.
The FIames Max Clean Sweep.
From Brandy Rankins to Signal Hill the
only buildings standing are the Union
Bank, the Roman Catholic cathedral aud
college and the Devon Row Railway depot
About 600 houses are already burned. The
loss is thought to be about Sc, 100000.
Upon learning Of the terrible confagra-
tion, the Mayor called a meeting of citizens
to take steps to provide relief In conse-
quence of his call, a large number of citi,
zens assembled at the Mayors Office to-day,
members Immediately purchased $4,000
worth of provisions and lumber. The
steamer U1unda will sail hence this
evening for st. Johns with the
committees purchases on board. Her cargo
consists of 20 chests of tea, 275 barrels of
-four, 100 pounds of cornmeaL 150 pounds
of biscuits. 80 barrels of pork, 500 purcheons
of molasses, $4,000 spruce boards, 150 tents
and marques, to be used to shelter the
people rendered homeless The military
and naval authorities have also sent lot Of
tents and canvass
A public meeting will be held Monday
next to establish more general relief Gov
ernor DAILY and Archbishop O'Brien this
telegraphed to the Newfoundland
message of sympathy. Ad-
miral Hopkins is cooperating with the city
and is holding the fast cruiser
in readiness to transport sup
plies. H. NJ. S. Blake sails for ST. Johns
to- night. She will probably reach there in
"a hours.