The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-05-11
A GREAT FIRE IN OTTAWA.
EYE TO SIX FAMILIES
 MADE HOMELESS.


 p;cion of Having Started the COnfIa- gration-same District swept as i'm 19oo.
 Ottawa, Ont. May 10.-A fire, sus- pected of being of incendiary origin, this afternoon and evening destroyed hundreds of houses and millions of feet of lumber in this city. John White. who has just been released from the penitentiary after serving term of imprisonment for arson, was caught near where the fire was first discovered. He was arrested and the police say will be charged with starting the confagra- tion. s*
 To-day's fire originated within a stone's throw of where the great Hull fire of April 26, 1900, was checked. The Hull fire started on the opposite side of the river and spread to the Ottawa side, destroying millions of dollars worth of property. It burned out near where the Ottawa and Parry Sound railway enters the western part of the city and it was in the lumber yards near the railroad that to-day's fire began.
 Two hours before the main blaze started two smaller fires were discover ed and quickly exinguished in the lum- Der wards near the Canadian Pacific railway. It was 3:30 when the third fire was discovered. When the brigade ar rived at the scene it was found that the water main had been damaged and no water could be obtained. When the fire men did get water the fire was uttenly beyond control. It swept along over the same ground that the former fire had gone, the only difference being that 1t was going in an opposite direction. There is large cliff which extends from the Ottawa river to the corner of Margaret and Preston streets. The fire area was on the flats below the cliff. At two or three points it came very near getting over the cliff and had it done so nothing would have saved the city. At 9:30 tonight the fire was thoroughly un- der control and was confined to the fol- lowing area: :"A
 The Ottawa and Parry Sound railway, on the south. Division on the east; First avenue on the west and the Rich mond road on the north. From the Par ry Sound road to the Richmond road is about one mile and from Frist avenue to Division street is about one-quarter of a mile.
 While the fire was burning fiercely among the lumber piles, the whole brigade of the city, which had been summoned were forced to remain idle.
 For an hour not drop of water was thrown on the flames. A still south west wind was blowing and by the time the water main had been repaired the lumber yards were a mass of glowing coals. From the lumber yards the flames spread to a group of frame houses on the outskirts of the city, for merly known as Rochesterville, but whic is now united to the city. Every house in the little settlement was de- stroyed.
 Another lumber yard in thinly set tied section northeast of Rochesterville was swept by the fire in an incredibly short time. This brought the fire to the more thickly settled sections.
 After leaving the lumber piles the flames swept over Pine street, which runs east and west, down Willow, Pop lar, Anderson, Eckles, Somerset, Spruce Elm. Maple. Albert and on to the Richmond road, or properly speaking Wellington street, where it was stopped a short distance from the Canadian Pa cific railway depot.
 At 6 D. m. it was thought that the fire would get oyer the cliff on the top oi which is St. Jeanne Baptiste church. IT the rear and short distance back from the church is the residence of the late David Mills.
 The family began moving out a 6 D r1.. and the hearse was in readiness te remove the remains of the distinguished Canadian, should the necessity arise The firemen, however, succeeded il keeping back the flames.
 Fifteen million feet of lumber were de. stroyed. It belonged chiefly to J. R Booth, and was sold. The loss on the lumber will be about $300.0O0. Int buildings burned were principally dwell ing houses, and stores. They were al built since the last great fire and were either solid brick or brick veneered a: the city would not permit of any othel kind being erected. The loss on the buildings is estimated at various figure. tonight Mayor Cook said that there were from 800 to 500 families homeless. or about 2,000 individuals. All the par ties are supposed to be well insured.
 The mayor said that the city would oppose any aid being asked from out side Canada, and personally he though that the city should grapple with the sic uation without any appeal for outside help.
 Mayor Cook estimated the loss or the buildings at 1000, making a to. tai loss of S60O,000.
 MT. Pratt, the assessment commits. sioner, says the first covered over six, ty acres and estimated the loss at up. ward of half million dollars. Hac the fire crossed Wellington street, tt the Chaudiere flats, the mills would have all gone and Hull would once more have been threatened. Every available vehicle ill the city was en. gagged in moving furniture and grea excitement prevailed.
 The proprietors of the leading hotel: y,nfif1nd thair 0irestS ha raa1J ff