The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-20
FURIOUS GALE
FAMED FLAMES
Prosperous Town Of Sydney pfac
tica'ly Wiped Out.
SIXTY BUILDINGS IN ASHES
Forty.iive Nc Wild carried Blaze fiereeiy
Before il aad All forts TO
Check the Fire Seemed
NV Associated Press)


HALIFAX, n. s.. oct. 19--'fhe pros
porous and thriving town of Sydney was
almost swept out OF existence to-day oy
a fierce conaagration. which started abour
2 clock. The flames, which We're famed
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 rainstorn.
which set in after dark, and, as the wind
decreased in fury. the tirenen and num-
dreds of miners succeeded In getting the
FIRE under control. Over sixty buildings
are in ashes and many more are badly
scorched. The buildings We're nearly al.
large wooden struetures, and they burned
so fiercely rffat 1t was Impossible 10 save
any of ti.eir contents.
WATER atsss-ieE POOR
The fireEnen were Sl1aSiy Handicapped
at the outset by the poor supply OF water
The fire started in a taree-story frame
building on CharIotte Street occupied by
\. d. Giilis and Gordon * Keith. When
the firemen arrived on the scene the
building was burning tiercely, and ths
wind was Blowing the flames over the
tops of the adjoining buildings. In a very
short time the fire spread to the puiid-
ings occupied by Carr, jeweler, Blauch-5
ard. Bentley & Company. and the Mari
time Premium Company Then it spread
to some small buildings on the opposire
side of the street and jumped to the large
department store OF Prowse Brothers &c
Cromwell. which was soon doomed. Tho
whole town was then threatened.
Assistance was sent for. and the fra
departments of North sydney and Glaze
Bay responded and on arrival got quickly
to work. but every effort TO stay tho
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 litter
the fire started one-quarter OF the ous.-
ness portion of the town was in flamss.
The towns water supply now gave out
and the engines had 10 De sent to the
narbor to pump water.
DYNAMITE USED.
At 4:30 o'clock two of the business blocks
were destroyed and the fire spread to-
Bentick Street. and half. an hour later,
Bruce, George. Bentick and CharIotte
Streets were a mass of fire. The miners
resorted to the use of dynamite and sew
ertll buildings were blown up but with
little effect. the wind having carried the
burning cinbers to other buildings. The
fine building belonging 70 the Union Bank
OF Halifax and TIN. Baptist and Presby-
terian churches were soon destroyed.
At o'clock the ire had reached the
east end of Charlotte Street and here it's
progress was stayed. The blocks or
Westworth. Prince and Pitt Streets. and
half a block on George Street. were de-
stroyed. The fire is supposed to have been
started by the bursting OF an oil stove. It
is impossible to estimate the loss at pres
emit but 1t Is roughly placed at between
600 and $500 GOO of which not moro
than half IS covered by insurance.