Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-04-20
THE TORONTO FIRE.
Over One Hundred and Fifty Houses
Burned-Loss from $6,OOO,OOO TO
S7.OOO,OOO.

Over One Hundred and Fifty Houses
Burned-Loss from 100000 TO
S7,OOO,OOO.
Toronto, Ont, April 20.-Toronto was
threatened with complete destruction by
confagration early today, which for
ten hours baffled all efforts of the fire de-
partment. The fire started at nine
o. clock last night, and it was not until
shortly before eight clock this morning
that the fire fighters had it under con-
troll. The flames swept through the
wholesale business district and burn
ed more than one hundred and fifty
buildings. The property loss is various
" estimated at from Sc, 600, 900 to ST.
600. 900. High winds famed the flames
with intensity, and the local lire depart
ment was unable to cope with the hre.
Help from nearby cities was asked TOR.
Montreal and Buffalo sent fire engines
and men. Shortly after one O'Clock
this morning shift of wind sent the
flames in the direction of the residential
part of the city and it was only after the
hardest kind of work that the fire was
confined. Several residences were de-
stroyed and many people are without
homes. Several people are reported
missing, and they are thought to have
lost their lives in the flames.
The blaze started in factory on We'll
lington street, and despite the efforts of
the firemen to conine it there, the flames
leaped across the street and soon build
ings on both sides of the thorOughfare
we're blazing iercely. The work of the
fremen was hampered BY falling walls,
and masses of tangled telephone and
telegraph wires.
While working on the top of six
story building, the flames cut off the es-
cape of Chief Thompson and Fireman
George Dowkes. Thompson made leap
to the ground below. His fall was brok-
en- by telegraph wires, and he escaped
with broken leg. Dowkes has not been
seen since, and it is believed that he has
persisted. Finding that the fire was be-
yound their control call for help was
sent to Buffalo, Montreal, and Hamilton.
Several blocks were now in flames in
Guiding all buildings on the south side
of Wellington street, and on Bay street,
east to Yonge street. The fremen were
assisted in their work by citizens, many
of whom left Their homes and came down
town to aiG in the work The fire work
ed in the direction Of the custom
house, Board of Trade, and Bank of
Montreal. When the flames reached
Howland's warehouse, where much gun
powder was stored, there were several
explosions. This made the work of the
fremen extremely perilous. Thousands
of people crowded near the scene OF the
fire and many merchants went to their
places of business several blocks from
the fire and commenced to move their
goods to places of safety. The wind
held strong from the west, blowing a
gale which sent showers of flaming
sparks and brands high in the air and
threatened destruction to houses in
other parts of the city. 1t was not until
the abatement of the wind at O'Clock
that it seemed assured that the fire
would spread no further. A final stand
was made by the fire department near
the Bank of Montreal, and here, after
the hardest kind of work, the flames
were halted on the north side of Front
street and on the south side of the Gus
tom house.
The fire is virtually out and firemen
are this afternoon pouring great vol
umes Of water upon the ruins to quench
the smoldering embers. One hundred
and twenty-three buildings were swept
away in the conAagration and insurance
adjusters who have made a cursory ex-
animation of the devastation estimate
the damage at So, 600, 900.