The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-01-22


Fleeing From Flames.
The high wind famed the flames till
they took leaps of fifty and sixty feet
along the doomed buildings OF Block 1.
from which the occupants had hastily
removed. carrying as many personal
effects as could be collected, and In
many cases returning three and four
times for more. These chattels and
those rescued from Block 15 and the
quarantine station were placed on the
vacant land left from Blocks and 10
I'm expected safety; but the sparks
seemed to select every separate heap
and soon they, too. were destroyed.
The Kaumakapili Church cellars had
been stacked with fumigated private
effects from all districts. and included
most OF the clothing collected from the
various laundries in the quarantined
district. Everything was destroyed
with the church.
The Fire Department, as soon as Il
was discovered that the flames were
beyond control, shifted the position OF
all the engines and devoted It's whole
attention to an attempt TO check the
spread OF the fire. Lines ofhose we're
carried from all points md water
poured in tons upon the buildings In
| the direct course OF the fire, but not
for an instant did the flames pause In
their onward rush. 10 was hoped that
the chemical engine house on Mauna-
kea and Pauahi streets might be saved.
and for a time the hope seemed about
| to be accomplished; but the steeplo
caught. despite the continuous streams
OF water poured upon IL. and the build
/ ing was doomed. The buildings up Ia
THE point were ablaze from Maunakea
20 River streets. and track OF burn
ing ruins back almost to Kukui street
marked the course OF the fire.
| Firebrands leaped across the street
from Block ] and set fire TO the roofs
OF buildings In the interior OF Block 2.
Citizens and guards rushed through
the block TO alarm any OF the residents
who yet remained therein. crushing I'm
doors and windows and tearing away,
where necessary, the dense mass OF
wooden barriers with which the inte-
riors Of the blocks were built up. Few
persons were found in the rooms. the
Chinese being too frenzied TO remain
long within the structures which were
burning over their heads. Roofs
caught on fire. and, aided by the heavy
wind which swept down the streets and
through the alleyways. the flames ate
their way into buildings on Hotel
street. long before the Pauahi street
side was blazing.
Chemical House Goes.
At Il o'clock the chemical engine
house caught, the FIRE creeping up the
rear OF the building and quickly en-
veloped the tower. The firemen had
saved most Of their effects, the citizens
gladly volunteering TO remove them
for the brave men who directed the
hose streams. Finally the fire broke
fercely through the rear windows and
entrances, and the building soon be-
came a roaring furnace. The tower.
built OF wood, burned quickly. and at
/ o'clock fell with a crash, but with
, out injuring any one. When the tow
er fell the fremen were working fur
ther down Maunakea street trying 70
check the fire from spreading to the
Waikiki side. The fire engine which
had been stationed there was quickly
run down to the corner Of Hotel
street, the hose being carried by citi-
zens.
: In the meantime the fire had again
: made a leap and was burning hercely
In Blocks and 6, the flames being car
: ried In great sheets across the narrow
e street. Dynamite was freely used IN
6 front OF the fire. but the quantity In
each case was too small 10 make any
Impression. The loss OF fire engine No
was keeniy felt at this time. as th'
. streams, reduced 20 a minimum, made
n no impression whatever In staying th'
!, progress OF the fire. Citizens ant
guards made several rounds through
= the block, and every room was looke'
into to prevent any loss OF life. Ev
:. lerywhere could be seen the evidence
!, OF hasty fight; little did the Chimes
save Of their personal property, for
:, was strewn through the block and owe
!. the sidewalks IN wild confusion. Elec
;, trio light wires began falling abou
:. the fremen, and kept the linemen bus
:, coiling up the live wires. These me-
watched every pole. and one linemai
showed spec'1l bravery by climbing
pole while ii was smoking from tn
heat. 10 cu' the wires. II was a brav
- act. and was applauded by the spec
"a tatOrs.
"a The frenzy OF the Chinese and jan
- anese residents was pitiful 20 observe
se They fed 20 the streets, Juggling ava
ID az bundles too heavy for ma
X 10 ordinarily carry. but the keen eN
n element OF the moment gave them IN
et strength OF two men. Women wit
strained eyes and tears rolling d.
their cheeks clung 70 little childre
land babes. in wild excitement, search
/ ing everywhere 70 find place OF Fai'
% ". Few carried more than chang
- OF clothing for their babies; none pa
m the forethought 20 take loaf OF brea
- - or a bowl Of rice 20 eat Every on
- was making a supreme effort 70 ne
be from the fre-fend that destroyed the'
10 homes and household goods.