Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-04-13

| SpecfQt OU O7lftGU ITCSS WfTCs
Boston, Apr. 13:-Lack of mater
ial to feed on and the waters of the
Chelsea river this morning checked
the march of fire which started
among some rags on dump and laid
in ruins more than one-third of the
city of Chelsea. The property loss is
estimated at $9,000,000. Ten thou
sand are homeless. Three dead
bodies have been found in the ruins.
Il is probable that two others perish
ed. Between eco and 800 were in
jured and nearly 100 are missing.
The heart of Chelsea, flourishing
city of $1,000, was a blackened,
smoking mass of wreckage as the sun
rose this morning. The district is
lguarded by regiment of militia and
about 500 special police to protect
the property that escaped the flames,
prevent looting and to give aid to the
homeless people who are encamped
about the city and it's surroundings.
A public subscription fund to aid the
homeless was started today and al
ready number of subscriptions are
pouring In.
The fire, which was the worst
Greater Boston has known since the
great fire. of 1871, ragged before a
forty-five mile gale for more than
twelve hours. defying the utmost ef-
forts Of the combined fire departments
of Chelsea and several nearby cities
and large detachment of Boston fire.
men and apparatus.
The fire started almost In the ex-
| treme southwest section Of the city and
cut a path to the end of Nav verick
street, at the extreme southeastern
end of the city, which borders on Chel-
sea creek. This point is about one
mile and quarter from the point
where the conhagration began. The
flames swept through the heart of the
retail business section, which was
about midway between the two ex-
treme limits reached by the fire.
Among the structures were thirteen
churches, two hospitals, the public IL
brary, city hall, FIVE schoolhouses,
twenty business blocks, nearly score
of factories and upward of 800 tene-
ments and dwelling houses.
The streets over which the flames
rushed included Carter, Maple, Spruce,
Arlington, Ash, Walnut, Poplar, Chest
nut and Cherry to Broadway. From
Broadway the fire spread to Belling-
ham hill. From Summer street the fire
cut another pathway, running diago-
nally across Third street, Everett ave-
nue. and Fourth street TO Bellinghau
street. The flames reached Broadway,
tho principal street of the city, at a
point between Third and Fifth streets
and destroyed the Masonic hall, Odd
Fellows hall and Bennett block.
Property Guarded by Militia.
A militia call by Mayor Beck of Chel-
sea brought out the First company,
coast artillery, Captain Renfrew com
manding, In order to guard property
moved into the gtrets from buildings in
the path of the flames. Colonel Wood
commanding the marines at the
Charlestown navy yard, volunteered
! the services of the One Hundred and
Fifth company, stationed at the navy
yard, and ON request of Mayor Beck
the company was sent to the fire under
command of Captain Hill. Rear Admit
raj Swift of the navy yard also sent
out all the men from the receiving ship
| Wabash who were not already off on
| liberty. These sailors were not sent
| under command Of any officer, but
were instructed to give their services
| wherever needed.
Marines with fixed bayonets held
back the crowds while the militia and
sailors helped families remove their
goods. Advance squads of the military
and police were sent ahead warning
out families living in the course of the
fire. which leaped block after block
with astonishing rapidlty. The crowds
| generally were easily handled Occa-
sionally some excited house owner
would burst through the Gordon of mi
iitia and marines to dash into house
for some forgotten valuables, but the
presence of so many uniformed guards
overawed the rougher element.
| The fire area, mile and half long
and half mile wide at its broadest
part, extended diRgonally across the
| city from a point near the boundary
between Everett and Chelsea to the
| waters Of Chelsea creek. 1t was use
less for the fremen to attempt tc
| check the onrush of the flames befor
the gale, and their main efforts wer'
| to prevent a spread of the blaze upol
either side. Their last stand was tax
en- at Chelsea square, and for hours
doubtful battle was waged Finally
word was passed that the firemeD
were winning, and with renewed en-
ergy the contest was pressed. Two
hours later official announcement was
made by Chief H. A. Spencer that the
| fire was under control.
Extent Of Burned Area.
The great majority of the buildings
were Of wood and were completely
destroyed, but structures Of other
material were almost as quickly and
thoroughly incinerated by the fierce
ness Of the blaze.
| All the banks, more than three-quar
ters OF the churches, half Of the bust
ness blocks and nearly all the school
houses were wiped out. One hospital
aud day nursery were destroyed. In
| the turmoil many Of the sick and in
firm found difficulty ii obtaining as
sistance, ard several OF them had mar
| row. escapes
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