The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-04-04
ATLANTIC CITY SUMMER HOTELS
BURNED FAST.
GUfsTSMOvtO ONTO BEACH
Loss Estimated at ooo-Phtia.
deIphia and Camden Lend A.
sjstarce to Local Firemen.

houses and more than score OF small
buildings adjoining the board walk
which is built along the oceans edge
were destroyed today by fire, which
swept the beach front for two lonf
blocks from Illinois avenue to New
York avenue. The loss 1t is believed
will exceed $75O,OO0.
In this respect the confiagration II
the most disastrous that has ever Wis
tied this city. The loss will be only
partially covered by insurance, as the
rate of per cent charged by the in
surance companies on property here IL
regarded as almost prohibitive.
Fortunately no lives were sacrificed
though probably a dozen persons were
slightly injured and burned during
the progress of the fire. It was re
ported early in the afternoon that
six men had perished in the flames
but the rumor was without founda
ton.
| The origin Of the fire is unknown
but 1t is said to have started in either
Brady's baths or the Tarlston hotel
which adjoins the baths at Illinois
avenue and the board walk.
The city tonight is guarded by a
company Of militia who were request.
ed by the municipal authorities to
MD tho rn1{0n IN =, -
.locting' About dozen men were ar.
rested during the day for robbery.
! The fire was discovered shortly af-
ter 8 O'Clock this morning and for
nearly five hours the flames ragged
with such violence as to threaten the
city with destruction. All of the burn
ed 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 pile of
smouldering debris and the flames
fed on the small stores and booths
between Illinois and Kentuckey ave.
hues until they reached the Stratford
hotel, which was soon enveloped. The
fiery tongues leaped to the Berkley
adjoining, and in few minutes the
New Holland. Brynmawr, Evard and
Stickney, all located on Kentucky ave-
nue. near the beach. were doomed.
The local fire department worked
we'll and Willingly but was unable to
cope with the flames, and it was found
necessary to send to Philadelphia and
Camden 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 Penn
sylvania Railroad company, and they
made the run of nearly 60 miles in
IS minutes. Their presence here was
Of vast assistance to the local firemen,
but IT was not until an hour after their
arrival that the fire could be said to
be thoroughly under control.
Just as the special train bearing the
Philadelphia fire engines arrived a
burning brand set fire to the center
of Young's pier, near Tennessee ave.
nue.. Meantime the flames had COM
municated with the Rio Grande, Mer-
vine and Academy hotels, and Acad-
emy of Music, at the corner OF New
York avenue and the beach. For a
few minutes Young's pier burned
fiercely, but the firemen succeeded
in combining the flames to Marine hall,
which was situated in the center of
rne pier. This structure was entire
ly destroyed, bisecting' the pier.
During the progress Of the fire the
widest excitement prevailed among
the guests Of the hotels which later
became a prey to the flames. with.
the exception Of the Tarlton and Bryn-'
mawr, all the hostelries were open
for the season and most Of them were
fairly well filled.
s'5 In most cases the guests had suf-
fioient time to pack their trunks and
grips and those who did not do this
carried their personal effects to places
Of safety in the best manner possible
under the circumstances. The beach
appeared to be the most suitable de-
pository and many nondescript heaps
Of clothing, bedding and furniture ap-
peared on the sand. This rendered
extra vigilance necessary on the part
Of the police.