The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-04-13

and many other manufacturing plants.
All the business blocks on Broadway,
from Chelsea Square east to the Boston
and Maine Railroad tracks were wiped
out The rapid progress Of the fire dur
ing the ensuing three hours. following
its start at II o'clock, is indicated by the
fact that at > O'Clock the flames were in
control Of a section of Belllngham Hill.
where some of the finest residences were
located.
Flee Before the Flames.
So swiftly did the fire assume the pro-
portions OF a confagration, that many
people living In the neighborhood north
OF Broadway had no time to save any
Of their household eheets. Their fight
before the advancing fire was precipltate,
and at . o'clock "a nunber of desoIate
families had sought refuge in Union Park,
which was roped off for the use Of the
homeless and the preservation of as much
property as had been rescued.
Many children sick with typhoid fever,
measles. and diphtheria, had TO be hur-
riedly wrapped in blankets and carried
through the streets to the nearest place
of safety
In some instances the children were
moved successfully three or four times
as the flames advanced.
In several places dynamite was used 70
destroy frame structures in an effort 10
check the progress of the flames.
Before the fire had been burning half
an hour the Chelsea fire chief began call
ing for assistance from Boston, Revere
and Everett. and before he finished all
available apparatus within radius OF
twenty miles of the burning city was
hurrying TO the scene. Engine companies
came from as far north as Lynn and
Salem, and from Quincy, Brookline, Wal
than, Somerville. Winthrop. and other
towns
Many Engines on Scene.
II was stated by one fire lieutenant
that there were so many engines draw.
ing water from the mains at the same
time that some of the steamers we're un-
able to send a stream ffteen feet into
the air.
The police force Of Chelsea was made
quate to cope with the situation. and
bluecoats from Boston were hurried
across the ferries.
The militia were called upon, and a
company OF the Eighth Regiment.
under Col. Swetzer. responded. TIE mi.
hiamen rendered great service aiding the
terror-stricken people. keeping guard
over pitful little piles OF household goods
that were gathered together IN the parks.
The soldiers also helped stay the prog
ress OF the flames on the northeast side
of the burned area by tearing down a
high wooden fence that ran alongside the
elevated car barns.
There were the usual stories in circula-
ton OF wholesale looting. and Il was re-
ported that a militiaman shot one OF
these miscreants, and that the police had
captured a number Of others None o:
these reports could be confirmed TO-
night, as 1t was almost an impossibility
10 get into the city after nightfaI, ex-
cept by making q wide detour through
Everett in an automobile.
Big Crowds witness Blaze.
Late in the afternoon both the Chelsea
and East Boston ferryboats stopped run
ming, but crowds went to East Boston
through the tunnel under the harbor to.
night. and were rewarded by getting q
fine view Of the burning oil tanks and q
number Of burning buildings scattered
along the Chelsea side Of the creek which
separates that city from Noddle Island
which is East Boston.
The blazing plant OF the Cabot chemical
works and the Tidewater oil Company.
buildings furnished great spectacIes a:
one gazed across the creek. while on the
East Boston side OF the stream thou.
Sands OF barrels Of oil in the Standard.
plant sent flames high IN the air.
In Chelsea the buildings of brick anC
stone crumbled rapidly and many fell int
the street. crushing several pieces Of fir,
apparatus beneath them.
The police started In early killing cat:
and dogs, horses and cows which wer,
running at large through the streets. A
great many people were picked up sick
Early in the afternoon many men ol
wealth who had gone TO witness the fir,
forgot what they had come for and al
once put their automobiles at the com
maud Of the police. Dozens of physician.
from Boston and other cities hurried L
Chelsea and rendered medical aid.