Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-10
A DISASTROUS FIRE.
The Beach Front At Atlantic City,
n. ], Swept BY Flames
4 DOZEN HOTELS WERE DESTROYED.


Lost, the Guests Having Time to
Garry Out Their Trunks
Atlantic City, N. j., April 4.-Twelvs
hotels and more than a score Of
small buildings adjoining the boart
walk which is built along the ocear
edge were destroyed yesterday by Q
fire which swept the beach front fol
two long blocks from Illinois avenue
to New York avenue. The loss, it is
believed, will exceed S75O,OO0 In this
respect the confagration is the most
disastrous that has ever visited this
city. The loss will be only partially
covered by insurance, as the rate OF
five per cent. charged by insurance
companies ON property here is re.
garded as almost prohibitve. For.
tunately no lives were sacrificed
though probably a dozen persons
were slightly injured and burned dur
ing the progress of the fire. 1t was
reported early in the afternoon that
six men had persisted in the flames,
but the rumor was without founda-
ton. The origin of the fire is I'M
known, but it is said to have started
in either Brady's baths or the Tarl-
ton hotel, which adjoins the baths at
Illinois avenue and the board walk.
The city last night was guarded by
company of militia, who were re-
quested by the municipal authorities
to aid the police in the prevention of
looting. About dozen men were ar
rested during the day for robbery.
The fire was discovered shortly
after nine o'clock yesterday morning
and for nearly five hours the flames
ragged with such violence as to
threaten the city with destruction.
All of the burned buildings were
frame structures and the flames,
famed by strong west wind, swept
along the beach front with amazing
rapidity. The Tarlton hotel was
soon a pile of smoldering debris and
the flames fed on the small stores
and booths between Illinois and Ken
lucky avenues until they reached the
Stratford hotel, which was soon en-
veloped, The fiery tongues leaped to
the Berkeley, adjoining, and in few
minutes the New Holland, the Bryn
Mawr, the Evard and the Stickney,
all located on Kentucky avenue, near
the beach, were doomed. The local
fire department worked well and
willingly, but was unable to cope with
the flames, and it was found neces-
sary to send to Philadelphia and Cam
den for aid The former city sent
three engines and two came down
from Camden. The engines were
brought here on two special trains
furnished by the Pennsylvania Rail
road company, and they made the
run of nearly 60 miles in IS minutes.
Their presence here was of vast as
sistance to the local firemen, but 1t
was not until an hour after their ar
rival that the fire could be said to be
thoroughly under control. just as
the special train bearing the Philadel-
phia fremen arrived burning brand
set fire to the center of Young's pier
near Tennessee avenue. Meantime
the flames had communicated with
the Rio Grande, the Meryine and the
Academy hotels and the Academy of
Music at the corner of New York
avenue and the beach. For few
minutes Young's pier burned fercely,
but the tiremen succeeded in contin-
ing the flames to Marine hail. which
was situated in the center of the pier
This structure was entirely de-
stroyed, bisecting the pier.
During the progress OF the fire
the widest excitement prevailed
among the guests Of the hotels which
later became prey to the flames.
With the exception of the Tarlton
and the Bryn Mawr all of the hostel
ries were open for the season and
most Of them were fairly well filed,
In most cases the guests had suffi-
Client time to pack their trunks and
grips and those wo did not do this
carried their personal effects to
places of safety in the best man
ner possible under the circumstances.
The beach appeared to be the most
suitable depository and many nom
descript heaps of clothing, bedding
and furniture appeared in the sand.
This rendered extra vigilance neces-