Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-02
THE FIRE AT COLON.
Details Of the Disaster That 0Yartook
the ISthmian Town.
HUNDREDS RENDERED. HOMELESS.
Starvation Now Threatening Those
who We're Burnea Out-Morc Than
Half the City Was Laid In

COLON, March G.-Tne following are
fuller details OF the disastrous fire which
began here Monday morning. March I'd:
The fire began at 400 O'Clock, and every
house south OF Seventh street except the
Grand Hotel. Suisse. Daniel de Castros
store. and the Pacific Mail Companys
Office down to the Panama Railroad Com
pany's station was burned. rendering
homeless and destitute hundreds OF In
habitants, who are threatened with star
walton over one half OF the city was
burned
The flames were first discovered on the
lower floor OF Tuck Chong * Co.'S ware
house, situated at the northwest corner
OF Eighth and Cash streets, In the portion
occupied by some Cinnamon, and had
there been any IN sa1s for suppressing the
flames the fire could have been confined
to that building. There being no water
on hand. however, no fire brigade, and
nothing whatever to check the flames,
they quickly enveloped the entire house,
and the adjoining one, belonging to Senior
Arcia. Thence they spread westward 10
Bolivar street, and northward until they
approached the building formerly belong
ing TO the late Mrs. Medal.
The wind being from the northeast. the
flames then spread over to the western
side OF Bolivar street, burning a China
mans store. Up to that hour. 6:S n.
NJ, two hours after the alarm, not
drop Of water had been thrown on the
flames. a hose was then run out from
the Pacific Mail Company's wharf, but
before steam could be gotten up on the
whsrf-engine the iames passed over
Bottle Alley, and attacked In their west
erly march the rear Of Emilianis's
cafe: then the dry-goods store Of Mr..
DeLisser 1.-THE Crescent" and spread
to DR.. Hafemann's saltwater factory
and drugstore.
ENTIRE CITY THREATENED.
At that moment the entire city APP
peared to be in imminent danger. and
change OF wind would have caused
its complete destruction. After burning
Hafemanns the flames spread northerly,
attacking Lam Sangs storehouse and
Charles Foulks dry-goods store. They
were, however. checked In their north
erly course by the vacant lots In that
direction. In Bottle Alley three build
ings TO the northward were burned. and
the flames were then arrested by an
other vacant lot between Mrs. Leach's
4 successful effort was made to save
the Grand Hotel Suisse, and Daniel de
Castro's store.
At the Hotel Suisse Captain Gehaar-
schmidt, and other officers OF the IL. a.
| y. Company's steamer Polynesia, fought
the flames. which frequently caught that
building. and saved It,
To the southwark. crossing Eighth
street. Limbcris's buildings were con-
Buen Gusto' q. l.. Maduro's retail store).
Mrs. Jacob Maduro's. S. II. Romas's, the
Globe Pharmacy, and two dry-goods
stores.
Toward the back OF Limberi's, which is
the property Of MIR. j. FISCHER. the flames
spread over to a house belonging TO Senior
Arcia, thence extending down TO the
French bakery CMonsignOr Cesare's), and
Tuck Chong's two stores. Passing over
Ninth street, Limsang'S general store, in
GLIDING the Prefecture. went down. Then
the iron market, the outer limits OF which
were surrounded by wooden Chinese
shops, caught the flames, and the contents
OF the entire edifce were consumed. The
fire spread TO the Hotel Interocean, an
immense three-story building. owned by
Mr. j. Girls. The Acadia was quickly
ablaze and the calaboose followed. The
blocks south of the calaboose extending
down 10 the railroad station, lncluIing
Front street to Bolivar street. then fell
victims TO the fire. and in these blocks
were several large houses owned by DR..
Galindo and Senior Emillani.
SOME GOOD WORK.
Hose was run out from the Pacific Mail
wharf. which did good service In abating
the flames at the Casino Sussan. and
stream was kept on the Pacific Mall
Offices. which saved them. The fire, how
ever, crossed Front street, and destroyed
the employees buildings on the Pacific
Mail wharf. besides a portion Of Limberi's
and Monteverdos goods, which had been
placed Just outside the fence for safety.
Lam Sang's stock placed at Ponton
Beach, was also burned.
A special train brought over the Panama
fire brigade. but they arrived too late 10
be OF any material service.
The number OF houses DESTROYED Is rs.
and comprises half the city. The value
Of the property and merchandise destroy
ed is estimated at sl.co,00o currency, on
which there was insurance to the extent OF
$3.50 600
The Panama Railroad Company distri-
buted on Monday bread 10 the poor, ana
on Tuesday the government sent over two
carloads Of provisions, which were also
given to all'who were in need.