The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-08-18

on Hotel. Hoses were hastily connect
ed, two lines being run to a twelve inch
main and others distributed in the
neighborhOod. The other engines came
galloping up and the flames spread
quickly but the engines We're powerless
The big ten inch main was as dry as
bone. In a few minutes water came
sluggishly and for some little while
there was not enough to throw a stream
as high as the verandahs of the build
ings. The blaze had its heart in the
center of the mass of buildings and a
strong breeze was blowing. The con-
fagration spread so rapidly that the
work of the department was soon rele-
gated to the outside area in an en-
deavor to prevent spreading. People
who had been awakened by the whistles
and viewed the blaze from all quar-
ters of the town came floclying down.
The unfortunate inhabitants made
their escape with what goods they could
lay their hands upon. The selection
would have been laughable had it not
been pathetic. One man would come
charging out with a crying baby in one
arm and a water melon under the
other. Trunks, chairs, sunshades, fruit
odds and ends of clothing, musical in
struments were brought ont not mere
ly from the burning blocks, but from
neighboring buildings. These were de-
posted indiscriminately on the side
walks and the Japanese theater on the
corner of Pauahi and River streets,
across from the River Mill was used as
a refuge. Women and men, too late to
use the stairways, rushed to their ver-
andahs and dropped to the ground. All
rumors of life lost have, so far, been
proved false. There may be loss of life
1t seems incredible that in such a fire all
could escape. The sleepers were packed
in as usual in Oriental tenement houses
and those who should know estimate
that a thousand or more are homeless.
They have been taken in this morning
by friends and the pitiable array of
household goods scattered along the
sidewalks was all removed by ten
o'clock this morning.
The fire was stopped by the most
strenuous efforts. How hard the de-
partment worked is evidenced by the
buildings that We're saved with their
outer planking scorched to crisp. Wa
ter in time would have kept the flames
from leaping Hotel street and might
have been confined to the Winston
building.
The insurance is scattered over many
companies, all of whom had set limit
on their risks and were carrying an
average Of about six thousand. The
Queen Insurance company went over
mat unit ABOUT three thousand and is
probably the heaviest loser. 1t has
come out that many of the owners Of
stock in the various stores insured their
goods on Friday when there was a gem
eral rush to pay premiums. Several in
surance men had a story TO tell this
morning of eagerness on the part of the
Japanese and Chinese to insure their
stock Friday for amounts varying
from 800 to $500. This activity
on the part of the Orientals ana
the nature of the fire with its
speedy spread, is thought 20 the indi-
cative of incendiarsm caused by lack OF
trade and the outlook of bankruptcy
for the small storekeeperS. Winston
whose loss is estimated at $4,000 cover
ed by $4,000 had advised insurance men
not to take risks from his lessees. The
police will make investigation but there
is little evidence left to do more than
base theories upon. The underwriters
will also look into the matter and Chi