The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-25
B @ FIRES.

In 1864 all the public buildings at Ko-
nigs burg, Prussia, were destroyed by
fire, while in 1863 the town was almost
blotted out by great confiagration.
In 1928 Copenhagen suffered severely
from a great fire, in which 1850 houses
were burned and the business portion
of the city entirely destroyed.
Jerusalem has been partly or wholly
burned II times. each great conflagra-
ton being kindled when the city was
taken by q besieging force.
In 1912 Hamburg was burned; 4,219
buildings were destroyed. their esti-
mated value being $4,000, 000 100 lives
were lost by falling walls and similar
accidents.
When the Russians evacuated Mos
COW in 1912, after the battle of Boro-
dino, the car ordered the city to be
fired, and a large number of convicts
were pardoned and released from the
jails on condition that they would do
the work of setting fire to the houses.
1t was well done, the entire city was
reduced to ruins on Sept. IA and the
eight following days, and the destruc-
ton of property estimated to exceed
$3.50, 100000. 1t was this step which
forced Napoleon to leave the ancient
capital of Russia and begin the retreat
which subsequently proved so disas-
trous.
In A. d. GA 10 of the IA municipal dis
tricts of Rome were destroyed by a
conflagration instigated, IL is said, by
the Emperor Nero. The number Of
lives lost is known to amount up into
the hundreds, but the value of the
property destroyed cannot even be es-
timated. By the emperor's command
thousands of Romans rendered home
less and destitute were employed in re-
moving the debris and rebuilding the
burned city. Nero to divert the odium
of crime from himself, charged IL upon
the Christians, and thus began one Of
the greatest prosecutions in the history
of the early Christian church.
The Paris fires during the reign Of
the commune in May. 1871. destroyed a
frightful amount of property. includ-
ing the Hotel De Vile and Tuilleries
palace and many buildings of less
prominence. 1t is estimated that the
total value of the property ruined by
the incendiary fires, kindled by mem
bers Of the commune, exceeded $780,
100000. but this sum did not nearly
represent the loss. for a great deal Of
property. such as household effects and
the like, was destroyed, which was
never reported. The fires were checked
by blowing up houses in the line of the
CONGREGATIONS. but more effectuaiiy by
shooting the incendiaries caught in the
act
Inc chicago nre or 1871, whether con-
sidered with regard to the area of land
covered. the number of lives lost. or
the value of the property destroyed
ranks as the greatest of history over
$1,000 buildings were destroyed Of
which 2.400 We're stores. shops or fac
tories. and about 100000 people were
rendered homeless by the burning Of
their houses. The district over which
the confiagration swept was three and
three-fourths miles in length by more
than a mile wide. covering the most
densely peopled portion Of the city II
is said that $50 lives were lost by acct
dents during the progress Of the fire
and the total value Of the property de-
stroyed was estimated at 1872. 900. 0O0
this estimate not including over $1,000. =
900 allowed for salvage on foundations
and the like. Scores Of fire insurance