The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-20
APPEALS FOR HELP MADE
Nearby Cities Rush Fire
 fighting Apparatus.
Chief Thompson Jumps Six Stories and Escapes With a Broken Leg-Efforts to Stop
 Flames Unavailing.

Toronto, Auril 20.-At SIS 8. m. the fire was still burning fercely in the two blocks bounded by Wellington Street on the north and Water Front, bounded on the west by Younge and on the east by Bay Street. The firemen have arrived from Buffalo, London and Hamilyto The acting fire chief said at this hour that the fire was practically under control but there is still danger of It spreading further to the west.
 Toronto, Ont. April 2O.-12:45 a. m.)- The entire lower portion of Bay Street to the Lake front now seems doomed. The wholesale houses of Wild, Darling & Co.,, Gordon, Mckay & Co.,, and other large building have been destroyed.
 Toronto, Ont, April 1s.-A fire swept through a section of Torontos wholesale business district tonight, causing a loss which will reach up into the millions.
 The fire started in a factory in Wei lington Street about o'clock. In less than an hour the flames spread from building to building on both sides of the street until the wholesale block was a mass of flames. and the fire was utterly beyond control or the department Ap- peals were sent to every surrounding city where fire apparatus could be obtained,
 
 Hamilton and Buffalo responded, but it vii; be hours before they can be of as- sistance.
 It was believed at Il o'clock that the fire was under control, but a sudden shift in the wind again famed the flames into a roar and clouds of sparks and burning brands were carried down side streets until three entire block were doomed. w
 The firemen are making a gallant fight amid the falling buildings and mass Of tangled wires but their efforts at mid night seemed to be fruitless.
 Chief Thompson of the fire department and. aGsorse. sDewkes of Montreal were cut of by the flames while directing the work of firemen on roof. Thompson jumped six stories to the ground and miraculousiy escaped with a broken leg. A mass of tangled wires broke his fall near the ground. Dowkes had not been seen since and 1t is the belief he per- lshed.
 Wind Feeds Flames.
 The Currie warehouse on Wellington Street, where it originated, the fire spread with astounding rapidity to the west, de- stroying the buildings occupied by Rek- hart Casket Company and Warwick Brothers & Rutter. and W. J. Gage & CO, and then made clear sweep up Yelling ton Street. to the Queens Hotel. The thick fire walls of the hotel and the con- centrated efforts of the fire fighters stop ped the flames there, but In the meantime the fire had swept across the street and the block of buildings west to the club was wiped. At that time the fremen believed that the fire was under control. but a shift in the wind sent the flames roaring down Bay Street. threatening every building on both sides of the street at the National Club to Front Street Nothing could resist the fury of the flames as Ghey swept down Bay Street to- wards the lake. and the firemen fought back the fire from side streets, conf1ning the fire on the one side
 Several frame buildings. which threat ened to cause a spread of the fire, were blown up with dynamite.
 At 1: 80 this Wednesday, morning, Bay Street was on fire from Wellington Street down to the lake front. but the fremen were meeting with success in their ef- forts to prevent a further spread, and it is believed the fire will burn itself out there.
 The total loss will reach SIG, 600 900.