Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-18
LARGE AREA DESTROYED
Lack of Water Crippled Fight With
Flames.
TERROR AND EXCITEMENT
Hundreds Killed and Probably 1000
njured-Entire Water Front
: Now Burning.

San Francisco was practically
wrecked by earthquake at $40
O'Clock this morning. The shock
lasted three minutes, thousands of
buildings being damaged and de-
StrOyed.
Terror and excitement were in
describable. Most of the people
were asleep and rushed into the
streets undressed. The buildings
swayed and crashed, burying occu-
pants. In the confusion which
reigns everywhere it is almost inn
possible to learn details OF the dis
aster caused by the earthquake this
morning. In general it may be said
that the district lying between Mar
ket and Howard streets, from the
bay as far west as the city hall, has
been badly wrecked. The hotels in
the vicinity of sd and Market streets
were badly shaken up, but there
seems to have been no loss of life.
The Call and Examiner buildings,
as we'll as the Western Union build
ing, have been badly wrecked. The
large department stores in this
neighborhood were also ruined, but
the earthquake occurred at an hour
when they were empty, and no loss
81 life is reported.
Farther east, on Market street,
toward the ferry slips, is section
occupied by cheap lodging houses
and hotels, and here the loss of lille
is reported to be very great, though
the extent OF it could not be ascer-
FAMED at this hour.
Fires are burning in number OF
places along Market street, and the
water mains having burst the au-
thorities have resorted to dyna mite
10 check the progress of the flames
The residence section of the city,
while badly shaken, reports no loss
Of life or serious damage
There was another shock at Sic,
which intensified the panic. People
rushed into the streets, but the
shock was OF short duration and the
alarm subsidized.
As reports come in the magnitude
of the disaster grows. Fires are
raging in all directions and people
are moving out OF the downtown
section. The loss of life may reach
into the hundreds. Millions OF dol;
lars worth of property has been de
stroyed.
The facts so far as known at this
hour NAV be summarized as follows :
Hundreds of People Killed.
Hundreds of people have been killed and
probably 1000 injured
The Mechanics Pavilion has been con-
verted into a temporary hospital. and al
ready several hundred victims OF the disas-
ter are being treated there by corps of
volunteer surgeons.
The entire water front is burning.
The post office was badly shaken and has
entirely collapsed.
The fish market at the corner of Clay and
Merchant streets. has collapsed killing six
psople.
Fire Chief Sullivan and his wife have been
badly injured.
The Grand Opera House Is burning
fercely.
"A ten-story building at 10th and Mission
streets adjoining the Grand Opera House.
IS apparently doomed. and other big build
tngs between the theater and St Patrick s
Church Many people are fleeing from the
Palace Hotel. taking their personal effects.
The gas works, south of Market street
have been blown up. and started another
big fire In that section OF the city.
A portion of the Mission, several miles
from the business section OF the city. is in
flames.
The fire began at 22d street, and Is rap
Idly moving eastward. Should the wind In
crease IL may sweep the entire southern
section OF the city
In Oakland five persons were killed by
the collapse OF the Empire building
The Gore block. at the Junction of Mar