The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-11-05
THOUSANDS WERE
IL y 0AAAiDO ~ AAoA
BLOWN TO PIECES.
Whole Districts Are Swept by
the Flames.
AN ENTIRE CITY SHAKEN
Three Vessels Destroyed with All on
ON Board.
Buildings Demolished in an Attempt to
Stay the Onward Rush of the Fire
Hundreds of Doctors
at Work.

Madrid, Nov. 5.-From Boo. a vii
lage near Santander, the capital of the
province of that name, comes a fright
full story of explosion, fire, havoc and
death. The British steamer Velo, with
a cargo of dynamite, has just arrived
lat Santander.
The fact of explosives being aboard
was unknown to the authorities.
Last evening the vessel took fire, and
the fire department hurried to the
scene to prevent the spread of the
flames to other shipping, docks and
adjoining houses. The governor of the
province, chief municipal officers and
many of the leading citizens were SUI
perintending the work Of subduing the
flames.
Just then the news spread that the
vessel contained dynamite, and the
people started panic stricken from the
scene AS the flames reached the car
go, with deafening roar, it exploded,
scattering death, fire and destruction
on every side, and wharves, shipping
and neighboring houses were torn to
fragments. The whole city was shak-
len as if by an earthquake and win
dows were shattered in every house for
miles around.
Among the prominent people mis-
sing is the governor Of the province
who was last seen on deck fighting the
flames in the front rank.
Many others are supposed to be
dead, including several representa-
tives of the municipal and provincial
government, besides many citizens.
The fire at once broke out in the
ruins and shattered buildings, and
Ispread to those still standing with
great rapidity. The inhabitants We're
Iso dazed by the shock of the explosion
that they were unable for long time
fire which, as this dispatch was sent,
was eating its way from house to
house. threatening the destruction of
the entire city.
The explosion threw down all the
wires cutting off Geographic commune
cation with the city, hence the hrst
news from Boo
Finally communication was opened
with the adjacent country and all vii
lliages in the neighborhood sent fire ap-
paratuses to the scene and strong
combined effort is being made to save
the rest of the city.
All sorts of reports are current as
to the loss of life. ranging from hund-
| reds down to fifty The rapid spread
of the fire prevented any systematic
Iatternpt at recovering bodies or learn
ling the number of the dead.
| Private kilograms say that over
thousand people met their death by
| the fire and explosion at Santander
and in addition a transatlantic stea-
mer was burned and forty of her crew
lperished.
lkiIled already mentioned, the presi-
dent of the provincial counsel and col
onel and chief officers Of the civic
guard are seriously wounded.
1t is also said the whole city IS like
lof over $4,000 rendered homeless. A
| dreadful panic prevails on all sides.
Fire engines from many points have
arrived and are making a determined
stand against the flames.
II is reported in addition to the
killed already mentioned, the presl-
| dent of the provincial council, colonei
and chief officers of the civic guard.
were seriously wounded. 1t is also
said the whole city is looking to be
DESTROYED. and a population OF over
S0 200 rendered homeless. A dreadful
nonic prevails on all sides. Enginea
from MANY points arrived. and are
making a determined stand against
, the flames.
All those on board or near the dyna-
mite steamer and all those on board
the tug boat alongside of her, as well
| as the officers and crew OF the trans
| Atlantic liner A1phonso XII, were kill
ed by the explosion.
The body of the civil governor mas
heen recovered, as well as the podleS
of a number of other officials. Among
those reported killed, is Marquis Pom
Tho. It is ascertained the dynamite
LOADED steamer was Cabo Muchlcaco.
belonging to Bilboa, and not a British
steamer, as at first reported. Every
possible assistance has been sent to
| Santa Andra, where hundreds OF doc
| tors are already at work.
| Troops were sent to the spot, also
rendering great service in blowing up
buildings across the pathway of the
thames and districts are still threatened
with conhagration. There is no def
mite estimate of the loss of life received
lup to the hour this dispatch was sent,
] but there has yet been no denial of the
statements made in private and other
dispatches to the effect that the death
List will be figured by thousands in
lstead of by hundreds.
1t is now officially estimated the dead
will number over 300. The number
Iof missing and injured is enormous.
Many of the injured are dying owing
| to want of prompt medical assistance.
TEN MEN GO DOWN.