The San Francisco call., 1908-04-13
by cities and a large detachment Of
Boston firemen and apparatus.
CUTS PATH THROUGH CITY


CUTS PATH THROUGH CITY
The fire area. which was in the form
Of an eliipse, a mile and a half long
and half a mile wide at its broadesL
part, extended diagonally 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 irenen to attempt TO check
the onrushing flames before the gale
vent a spread OF the fire on either
side.
Their last stand was taken at Chel-
sea square late in The afternoon and
for hours a doubtful battle was waged-
At o'clock word was passed that
the firemen were winning and with
renewed energy the contest was
pressed. At 1880 official announce
ment was made by Chief II. A Spencer
that the fire was under control
A great majority of the buildings
were of wood and were completely
destroyed, but structures Of other ma
terisl were almost as quickly and
thorolfkhly incinerated All the banks.
more than three quarters OF the
churches. half Of the business blocks
and nearly all the schoolhouses were
creek and buildings in East Boston
carried burning embers across Chelsea
Late in the afternoon the wind had
several of them narrowly escaped.
diflculty in obtaining assistance and
noil many OF the sick and infirm found
nursery We're destroyed. In the tur-
wiped out One hospital and day
caught fire, but extensive damage was
prevented by prompt and energetic
work by the fireTnen.
The fire originated in the rear of the
Boston blacking companys works in
West Third street, near the eastern
division Of the Boston and Maine rail
Foad. in proximity to the Everett
city line A terrific gale from the
northwest. which at times had a
velocity OF so miles an hour, carried
burning shingles. embers and myriads
Of sparks to a score Of wooden build
ings, most Of them Of cheap construc-
ton.
The fire started almost from the ex-
treme southwest section of the city
ard cut a path TO the end of Maverick
street 81 the extreme southeastern end
OF the city. which borders Chelsea
creek. This is about one and a half
miles from where the fire began. The
flames spread through the heart Of the
retail business section, which was
about midway between the two extreme
limits reached by the fire.
The streets thu ougn which the fire
rushed included Carter, Maple, Spruce.
Arlin gton, Ash, Walnut. Poplar, Chest
nut and Cherry to Broadway From
Broadway the fire spread to Belling-
ham hill. From Sumner street the fire
cut another pathway. running diagon-
ally across Third street, Everett ave-
nue. and Fourth street to Bellingham
street. The flames reached Broadway
the principal street of the city, at
point between Third and Fourth
streets. and destroyed the Masonic
"a
nett block.
EAST BOSTON CATCHES
The flying embers and the showers
OF sparks were carried across Chelsea
creek to the East Boston district. and
the East Boston engines were obliged
To return from Chelsea TO protect prop
erty in their district.
A militia call by Mayor Beck of
Chelsea brought out the First company
Of coast artillery, Captain Renfrew
commanding, in order to guard prop
erty moved into the streets from build
ings in the path of the flames. Colonel
Wood. commanding the marines at the
Charleston navy yard, volunteered the
services Of the One Hundred and Fifth
company stationed at the navy yard
and on request Of Mayor Beck the COM
pany was sent to the fire under COM
mand of Captain HILL Rear Admiral
Swift Of the navy yard also sent cut all
. the. men from the receiving shin
Wabash who were not already off on
leave These sailors were not sent
under command of an officer. but were
Instructed to give their services wher-
ever needed.
BAYoNETs HOLD CROWD
Marines with fixed bayonets held
back the crowds while tn militia and
sailors helped families remove their
goods Advance squads of the military
and police were sent ahead warning
out families living in the path of the
nre which leaped block after block
with astonishing rapidity.
The crowds were easily handled
Occasionally some excited man would
hurst through the Gordon Of militia and
marines TO dash into house >for some
forgotten valuables, but the presence
or so many uniformed guards oyerawed
the rougher element.
From the western part OF the city.
where the fire started, to the burning,
oil tanks on the water front is dis
tance Of something like a mile and
quarter. In breadth the fire covered
an area something like three-ouarters
Of mile wide
AS the fire made its way rapidly
toward the water front where eonsid-
cradle shipping was tied up. there was
much excitement among captains and
crews Several tugs were dispatched
TO the scene and all the vessels in that
portion Of the threatened water front
We're pulled out to safety
OIL WORKS MENAcED
The East Boston works of the stand
ard oil company were at one time in
danger and the work Of the frenen
was directed especially toward pre-
venting an explosion Of the oil tanks
This work was difficult. and for a
long time its success was doubtful for
burning oil spread out over the water
and blazing embers constantly were
being driven by the gale across the
creek
Medical Examiner McGrath said az
10 o'clock tonight that two bodies had
been found A body found at the corner
or Essex and Highland streets tha
medical examiner believed TO be that
OF young woman perhaps 20 years
OLD. The other body was found in the
ruins Of building at II Watts street
This is also thought to be that of
woman. The only possible means of
identification OF either Of the bodies is
by teeth peculiarities. At this time n
was also reported that the Bodies of
man and woman were in the ruins on