The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-11
Former Convict Suspected Of Starting
the Fire and Arrested ON the
Charge of Incendiarism.
DUNLo, Pa, pERILED BY FIRE
RESIDENTS WORKING TO SAVE THE
PLACE FROM DESTRUCTION.
Founder Of the Town Of Blasdell,
N. ", and His Wife the Victims of
Fire and Explosion.

OIIAWA "A, Ont., May IVA Hre, SuSpeCeOu
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 taken to the police station and will be
charged with starting to-day's conflagra-
ton.
The fire originated within stones 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. 1t burned out
near where the Ottawa & 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 originated.
Two hours before the principal fire
started two smaller blazes were discovered
and quickly extinguished In the lumber
yards near the Canadian Pacific Railway.
1t was $3.50 when the third was discovered.
When the brigade arrived at the scene 1t
was found that the water main had been
damaged and no water could be obtained.
When the brigade did get water the fire
was utterly beyond control. 1t swept along
over the same ground that the former fire
had gone, the only difference being that
ii was going In the opposite direction.
There is a large cliff which extends from
the Ottawa river into the corner Of Mar
garet 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 1t done so nothing
would have saved the city.
At $50 tonight the fire was under con-
troll and was confined to the following
area: The Ottawa & Parry Sound Railway
on the south, Division street on the east,
First avenue on the west and the Rich
mond road on the north. From the Parry
Sound road to the Richmond road is about
one mile and from First 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 into the flames.
A stiff southwest wind was blowing. and
by the time the water main had been re-
paired the lumber yards were mass Of
glowing embers. From the lumber yards
the flames spread to a group Of frame
houses on the outskirts of the city former
ly known as Rochesterville. but which is
now united to the city. Every house in the
little settlement was destroyed.
Another lumber yard in thinly settled
section northeast of Rochesterville was
swept by the fire in short time. This
brought the fire to the more thickly settled
sections.
After leaving the lumber piles the flames
swept over the pine street which runs east
and west, down Willow. Poplar. Anderson,
Eckles, Somerset, Spruce, Elm, Maple, AL
bert and on to the Richmond road or prop
erly speaking. wellington street. where it
was stopped, short distance from the
Canadian Pacific Railway depot.
At 6 p. M. it was feared that the fire
would get over the cliff, on the top Of which
is st. Jeanne Baptiste Church. In the
rear and short distance back from the
church is the residence of the late Hon.
David Mills. The family began moving out
at p. m, and the hearse was In readiness
to move the remains of the distinguished
Canadian should the necessity arise. The
firemen, however, succeeded In keeping
back the flames.
stroyed. 1t belonged chiefly to j. r. Booth
and was sold. The loss on the lumber will
be about 100000. The buildings burned
were principally dwelling houses and stores
They were all built since the last great fire,
and were either solid brick brick
veneered, the city would not permit OF
any other kind being erected. The loss on
the buildings is estimated at 100000 MAX
ing the total loss 100000 Mayor Cook said
that there were from 500 TO GOO families
homeless, or about 1900 individuals. All the
parties are supposed to be we'll insured
The mayor said the city would oppose any
aid being asked from outside Canada, and
personally he thought that the city should
grapple with the situation without any ap-
peal for outside help