The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-10
ST. J0HNSA SEA OF FIRE.
1T BROKE OUT FRIDAY AND WAS
STILL RAGING YESTERDAY.

buALOlnH AnOhB AAOSO buEhoO'
HALIFAX, N. g.. July 9.-The greater
part Of ST. Johns, Newfoundland, has been
wiped out by fire. About o'clock ysster-
day afternoon house on Longs hill was
discovered TO be on Hre. The firenen re-
sponded promptly to the alarm, but when
they arrived tbs southwest wind that pre-
vailed had caused the fire TO spread to an
adjoining building. which was then burn
ing furiously. Desperate efforts were
made to stay the progress Of the fire, but
it was soon ssen that they would prove
fruitless. Most of the houses on Longs
hill were very old wooden ones and they
burned with great rapidity. Large burn
ing brands were caught up by the wind and
carried to tho roofs Of other
structures, which were soon burning
furiously. 1t was soon seen thaU the fire
in the path the fire was destined TO take
began to move their portable household
effects and valuables Some of these people
lost their lives by their foolhardiness in
returning to their homes when the flames
we're close upon them.
COLLEGE BURNED.
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 in New
foundland, and it's loss will be severely felt
by that denomination.
By this time the wind was blowing a gale
and the fire wasspreading with appalling
rapidity. Buildings situated some distance
from the burning structures caught fire
from burning embers and were destroyed
without a hand being raised to attempt to
save them. The firemen and people were
completely paralyzed, and the fire did its
work of destruction unhindered.
1t was then growing dark and the scene
was magnifcently beautiful, though sppall
ing. Building after building caught fire
and the whole city was as light
as day. The roar OF the flames was
terrible. and the heat was 30 intense
that it was impossible to get anywhere near
the burning buildings. Now and then high
and heavy walls would fall, and their i'm
mense masses of burning embers would soar
upward to be caught by the gale and car
ried elsewhere to add other buildings to the
coDhagratiOn. Men, women and children
ran about in terror, and thieves, taking Gd-
vantage OF the confusion, entered houses
thai had been deserted by their occupants
huu sLOA6 WnhL6FBT bHcJ GGAlN kAl LlolI
hands on and carry off.
SOME OF THE BUILDINGS BURNED.
Tho Masonic temple. Orange hall, Roman
Catholic cathedral and bishops palace, St.
Patrick's hall, English cathedral, the
athen@um, the kirk, the Commercial
bank, the Union bank, the Atlantic hotel
and Linberg's brewery all fell prey TO the
devouring element. The English cathedral
was a magnificent structure and was con-
sidered the finest pieos of gothic architecture
on this continent. It was yet incomplete,
though ii had been fifty years in building.
Nearly all thsse buildings were in the center
of the city aud before long they were noth-
ing but masses of smoking ruins. In ad-
dition to these the court house, police head
quarters and Government savings bank
were destroyed, as were also the Presbyter-
ian church and the office OF the Telegram
Flames were then raging with increasing
viRor in the direction OF the water front,
and in a very short time were eating up the
warehouses along the wharyes. Shipping
lying at the wharves had been warmed Of
its danger, aud the crews of the various
vessels hastily cast off their lines and took
their craft outside the harbor.
On one side of the baV are the steam seal
oil factories and a warehouse in which their
product Is stored. 1t was thought that these
buildings would catch fire. 1t was also
feared that the dry dock and marine rails
way would be destroyed.
The fire burned out the telegraph
offices and for a time all communication
with st. Johns was cut off. This morning,
however. the telegraph officials established
an office temporarily In what they con-
sidered safe part of the city and further
details were received. These later dis
patches stated that the fire had ragged all
night and threatened to destroy the whole
city.
1t is known positively that one man and
six children perished, but it 10 thought that
when the terrible excitement that now pre-
vails subsidies it will be found that the loss
of life is much greater,
THE PARLIAMET BUILDINGS BURNED.
A later dispatch states that the parlia-
ment buildings have been destroyed and
that at the time the dispatch was sent fully
800 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 pos
sible, and the civil authorities are doing
distress. Many of the unfortunate people
have lost osteverything they had in the world,
and imperative calls will be made upon
charity in their behalf
This morning the fire communicated 10
the seal oil factories and stores, and the
whols south side OF the city was burning.
?. large fire was coming down Fresh
Water valley, and this whole population of
St Johns were In an agony Of despair, see
ing before them oomplets extinction of their
city.
A private dispatch received here early
stated that the fire has swept Water. Cover
and Duckworth streets, from Bandy Ran
kin's TO Signal bill The only buildings
standing are the Union bank, Roman
Catholic cathedral aud college and the
Devon Row railway depot. About 900
houses are burned. The loss is thought to
be about 81, 100000.
Another dispatch says that fire has broken
out 10 Monkstown, In which are situated
the residences of the most wealthy inhabit-
ants of the town.
The principal street OF ST. Johns is more
than a mile in length and every building on
10 was OF stone or brick. After the fire in
lS46, the authorities refused to permit
wooden buildings to be erected on the street.
] his street has been practically destroyed
AT 1:3O O'Clock to-day the telegraph officials
reported that it was impossible to "raisen
st. Johns and stated that they thought the
fire had driven the operators out Of the tenn
porary offices. 1t is now impossible to learn
anything concerning the situation in the
unfortunate city. From what can be
judged from reports received here, il is es-
timated that at least 5000 persons are
homeless
THE LOSS $50, 600, 900.