The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-27
LATER DETAILS
Of the Greatest Fire in the History of
Canada.

Canada.
Montreal. April PA special to the
Star from ottawa says:
The greatest fire in the history of
Canada was that which visited Hull and
the western district of Ottawa yester-
day. The loss is roughly estimated at
from SIS 600 900 to ST 900, 900; over 1900
families have been rendered homeless.
There is no means of arriving at abSo-
lutely reliable conclusions in these re-
ports as yet, but the numbers can not
well be below these figures The major
part of Hull, with its immense indus
trial establishments and the homes of
their operatives, was swept clean, as
we'll as Victoria and DalnouSie wards in
Ottawa. The valuable lumber piles are
now snnouldering and the loss on this
score alone can not be less than $3,-
O0O, 000
The sensational stories of the origin
of the confiagration have no foundation
in fact. The fire broke out in the center
of Hull early in the forenoon, but that
is a common occurrence there and at
tracted little attention. Before noon it
had devastated a great part of Hull
and spread toward the river, famed by
a strong wind, threatening and ulti-
mately destroying five of E. B. Eddy's
mills.
FIRE FOUR MILES LONG.
Before o'clock it had leaped to OF
tawa river and had swept across to
| Ottawa, carrying everything in front of
it. Nothing more grand could be inn
aSlneQ as a spectacle &OuS1uSIS4
as to its consequences, no greater
| calamity has visited Candada in
years. There was a belt of flame fully
four miles in length and at least half
mile wide. Dark clouds of smoke
| streamed southwark from the burning
! district all day, and yet the sun shone
clear and bright, changing the inky
! blackness to amber, and way up in the
| sky to the appearance of a summer
| cloud while beneath it was a long line
of flame fierce and irrepressible.
All night long the city was lit up by
the glare. The dominion government is
| among the heavy losers, the Chaudiere
/ bridge having toppled into the river
| from the warping effects of the heat.
On the Ottawa side many fine resi-
| dences were included in the fire area, in
| cluding that of j. S. Booth which alone
was estimated at $100, 900. The residence
| of his son-in-law. A F. Fleck, close be-
| side, and George Fosters residence in
| the same locality were burned. Levi
| Crannell manager for Mr.. Bronson and
| Mr.. Parr of the PARIS mill, had two
beautiful houses out of which they were
not able to take anything, SO quickly
did the flames extend.
The Canadian Pacific railway depot
on the Chaudiere flats burned quickly.
The fire broke out in the house of Mr..
Kirouac, on Chaudiere street, Hull. 1t
is said that Mrs. Kirouac was lighting
her stove to get the family dinner and
set the chimney on fire. The flames
spread to the roof, quickly communica-
ted 10 au1Olnlng houses and as there
was a heavy gale blowing at the time,
the fire was soon beyond control Hun
dreds of homeless persons slept in the
open air last night, or wandered about
the streets of Ottawa and Hull, although
many houses were freely thrown open
to the homeless. Many people were ac-
commodated in the drill hail. the Saliva
, ton army barracks, and other places.
Fireman John Watkins, of No. 1 sta
ton, was smothered in a house in Queer
street, west.
Mrs. Cook an invalid, was suffocated
in her bed on Queen street, west, be-
fore help could reach her
A man unknown was found dead or
/ the Canadian Pacific railway track il
Rochesterville.
John Navan, a builder, was taken t.
l ST Luke's hospital, badly burned anc
hurt.
: James Merrifeld, of Queen street
west, was taken to the hospital. seri
: ously injured by falling building.
l NARROW ESCAPES
There were some narrow escapes. Mr.
Glasshan, public school inspector, wa
busily engaged in trying to save thi
Wellington street school, and was su
perintending the removal of the furni
ture He remained in the building to,