Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-08-03
VICTIMS OF FIRE
At FERN|EE, B. c.
Now Thought That Number of
Dead is Not So Great as at
First Estimated.
CLEARING AWAY THE RUINS
Force of Tornado Was Tcrrliic-Dam-
age VIII Amount 10 Not Less
Than S5,000,OOO.

Fernie, Il. G.. Aug. S.-Amld the
smoking embers of their homes and
offices, with the great forest fire still
roaring I'm the distance. the plucltY
men of Fernie b. c., are clearing
away the ruins, pitching tens, check
ing up the missing and announcing
plans to build a new and better town
where the hot ashes of Old Fernie lie
today A village of canvas village
with many men. but few women and
children--will be in evidence before
the sun sets today. The great wave
Of fire is still rolling eastward through
the forest, following the line of tho
Canadian Pacific railway. in some
places its path is but mile wide; in
others, three miles. Nothing can stop
it. apparently, until the rain falls and
that may be days or weeks.
Michel 90 miles from Fernie, is
the town in the greatest danger now,
but that town stil stands and as the
wind has fallen the town has a good
chance to escape. Fifteen box cars
loaded with women and children have
been taken from Michel TO Coleman,
BlaiImore and other points. The men
have stayed to fight for their homes.
The town of Hosmer, between Fernie
and Michel, was in great danger yes
terday, several dwellings having been
burned but the main part of the town
was saved and will probably escape
unless a stronger wind arises.
While the number of dead at Fernie
may not be definitely known for days,
ii is not believed to be so great as was
at first feared. Up to 6 o'clock sun
day afternoon only four bodies had
been found III the town, those victims
having been smothered by the dense
smoke Considering the fact that at
times ii was possible for a man to
outrun the flames it Is believed the
loss of life was remarkably small
Such was the force of the fiery tor
nado that one frame building 20 feet
long was picked up. carried across sew
eral lots and dropped into the middle
of the main street.
AN EYEWITNESS STORY.
Cranbrook, b. c., Aug. "A witness
of the fire at Fernie, says:
1.-THE damage cannot fan short OF
S., 900, 600 the greater loss falling on the
Canadian Pacific railroad and the
Tritas-Wood Lumber company. Fully
%. 600 600 feet of manufactured lumber
Is destroyed The remains of what was
''N'N@F7N
five or six residences, all situated near
the park,
There is not n store bank or bust
ness concern of amy sort left standing
except the offices of the coal company,
the Great Northern depot and water
tank and the big concrete warehouse
of the Trites company. Fernie is wiped
out and not enough remains to justify
the maintenance of a flag station.
Some 3, coo people mostly women and
little children, have to he housed ana
cared for until they all have time to
look about them. These are being ship
ned to Cranbrook where every public
and nearly all the private houses are
being used as temporary shelters for
the homeless and in many cases naked
refugees"
The relief committee organized by
Mayor Frink has sent away two trains
filled with provisions, blankets. stoves,
flour and other requirements.
PLACES DESTROYED.
Winnipeg, Mon, Aug, S,--The most
dreadful conilagration in the history
of Canada has swept the Elk River
valley In east Kootenai. For 40 miles
tremendous bush fire has burned every
thing before H. 1t has held full and
terrible sway since o'clock Saturday
afternoon Estimates are that $50 peo-
pie have met death in the flames.
The following places have been de-
stroyed:
Fcrnie, with population of $500;
Coal creek, with a population of 1900;
Hosmer, with a population Of 80.
The homeless win number 5000.
The fatalities are growing hourly.
In one case I'VE families at Ferne
were hemmed in and every soul per-
ished
At least 20 lives were lost in Fernie
The property damage liz between
81 900. 900 and $4,000 900. The Crows
Nest Pass Coal company has $1,000
900 in property at Coal Creek which
is reported destroyed.
In that entire section of the coun-
try the railway bridges are swept
away.
Late last night the fire was stlll
burning.