The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-22
The Water Supply Gives Out and the
Firemen Fight Flames With
Dynamite.
THE FIRE is FINALLY CHECKED YRAIs
Il Is Supposed 10 Have Been Started By The
Bursting Of an Oil Steve. The
Loss May be HaIfa
Million.
(By the Associated Press.

Halifax, N. s., Oct. 1.-THE prosperous
and thriving town of Sydney was almost
swept out of existence today by fierce
confiagration, which started about two
O'clock. The flames. which werefanned by
a forty five mile gale, swept through the
principal business portions of the town,
causing ruin and devastation. Four
blocks of the finest business buildings are
in ashes.
The only thing that saved the city
from total destruction was a heavy rain
storm, which set in after dark and, as
the wind decreased in fury the fremen
and hundreds of miners succeeded in get
ting the Are under control.
Over sixty buildings are in ashes and
many more are badly scorched.
The buildings were nearly all large
wooden structures, and they burned so
fercely that it was impossible to save
any of their contents
The firemen were great handicapped at
the outset by the poor supply Of water.
The fire started in a three story frame
building on Charlotte street, occupied by
A. d. ellis and Gordon and Keith. When
the flremen arrived on the scene the
building was burning iercely and the
wind was blowing the flames over the
tops of the adjoining buildings. In very
short time the fire spread to the build
ings occupied by Carr, jeweler. Blachard,
Bentley & Co. and the Maritime Premium
Company. Then 1t spread to some small
buildings on the opposite side of the
street and jumped to the large depart
ment store of Prowse Bros, and Crom-
well, which ! was soon doomed The
whole tow, was then threatened.
Assistance was sent for and the fire
departments of North Sydney and Glace
Bay responded and on arrival got quick
sly to work, but every effort to stay the
flames was of no avail The fire swept
from Charlotte to Prince street and as
far south as George street carrying
everything before it. Half an hour after
the fire started quarter Of the bust
ness portion of the town was in flames.
The towns water supply now gave out
and the engines had to be sent to the
harbor to pump water.
At4:30 two of the business blocks were
destroyed and the fire spread to Bentick
street. and half an hour later. Bruce,
George. Bentick and Charlotte streets
to the use of dynamite and several build
ings were blown up but with little effect,
the wind having carried the burning en-
bers to other buildings
The fine building belonging to the
Union bank of Halifax and the Baptist
and Presbyterian churches we're soon de-
stroyed.
Az o'clock the fire had reached the
east end of Charlotte street and here it's
progress was stayed.
The blocks on Wentworth, Prince and
Pitt streets End half block on George
street were destroyed.
The fire is supposed to have been
started by the bursting of an oil stove.
1t is impossible to estimate the loss at
present, but it is roughly placed at be-
tween 100000 and 100000. Of which not
more than half is covered by insurance.
Sydney is a town of $4,000 in
habltants and is the scene Of extensive
iron and steel operations conducted by
tho Dominion Iron and Steel Company
and the Dominion Coal Company. ocr-
porations In which Henry w. Whitney,
of Boston. and other American capitalists,
are largely interested. Plans have been
under way for some time to make Sgd
ney the Pittsburg of Canada.