Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1908-04-13
s5,000,0O0 FIRE
IN BOSTON SUBURB
Fearful Conflagra-
ton Devastates
Chelsea
THOUSANDS MADE HOMELESS
Flames Driven by Fierce
Hurricane Reduce 500
Buildings to Ashes

Boston, April l3.--An area OF $50
acres Of smouldering ruins represent
ing nearly quarter OF the total area
OF the city marks the scene OF a great
fire which swept through the bust
ness section Of the suburb OF Chelsea
last night turning 10000 persons out OF
their homes and causing property
loss estimated at approximately
$5,00o,O00 with $3,000,000 insurance.
This afternoon the burned area is
guarded by militiamen and marines to
prevent possible looting and military
regulations prevail throughout the
city.
Early today only three persons were
known to have lost their lives in the
big fire but it Is feared this number
will be increased when search OF
the ruins is made. Over half hun
dred injured and many others were
taken to hospitals. This morning all
the injured were reported to be doing
well, although several are still on the
dangerous list.
High Gale Spread Flames.
Starting near Cypress and Third
streets in the public dumping
grounds the blaze spread before
northeast gale straight across the
city to the southeast, spreading out
as 1t advanced. 1t finally reached
Chelsea creek and leaped across the
narrow stream into East Boston The
distance from the point where the
fire started to the creek is mile and
"a half and the greatest width of the
fire is about half mile.
Even at the creek the fire was not
wholly stayed for sparks were blown
across which set fire to several hous.
es and to plant of the Standard Oil
company which was practically de-
stroyed. The loss to the Standard
alone is estimated at 100000
Work Of Relief Begun Promptly.
Concerted efforts towards providing
relief for the thousands of sufferers
was started early today. Acting Gov
ernor Draper issued call for an early
morning meeting of prominent Boston
business men at the state house to
make plans for the raising of funds
for the temporary care of the home
less and at about the same hour a
citizens relief committee also held a
meeting. Similar action was taken by
the executives of other cities and it
Is said the Legislature will also be
called upon to take steps to pro-
vide additional relief.
Charitable organizations of this city
found places for many sufferers, but
Notwithstanding the efforts on all
sides to render aid there were thous-
ands of homeless ones who passed the
might in the streets and parks. AL
though it is impossible 10 tell even ap.
|proximately the number of people
made homeless conservative es-
innate places it at about ten thous.
land.
Three Bodies So Far Removed.
During the fire yesterday afternoon
and evening over fifty unidentified ba.
bies who were picked up by the fire-
men and the police were taken to the
police station. They range in age from
two months to five years.
| The bodies of two women and one
man were found burned to death in
the street last night and they are as
yet unidentified. Early today the work
of searching the ruins Of the resident
section Of the fire swept district was
begun and the opinion of the author
tiles is that more bodies will be dis
covered. The workmen are in constant
danger from falling walls.
The burned district included large
number of manufacturing concerns,
stores and business houses, many cost
| ly residences and tenement blocks
churches and public buildings.
Cold Rain Adds to Suffering.
A chill wind and light fall Of snow
which later turned into a cold rain
this morning, added to the misery OF
the homeless who shivered in shelter
camps in the public squares. Durins 6
the course of the fire yesterday seven
babies were born in as many different
houses directly in the patch Of the lire
and later destroyed. The mothers and
children are all doing we'll today.
Issue Appeal for Assistance.
Mayor Beck and William r. Nc.
Clintock, chairman of the relief com
mittee, today handed the Associated
Press an appeal for assistance IN
which it is stated fifteen thousand are
homeless and $12,OOO,OO0 worth "
| ~ n Jnr 40 b. u