Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-13
BOSTON. April 1s.-An area Of $50 acres

Of blackened ruins representing nearly a
quarter of the total area-bf the city.
marks the scene OF the great fire which
swept through the business section of
Chelsea yesterday and last night, turning
10000 people out Of their homes and caus-
ing a property damage estimated at ap-
proximateiy $S,OOO.O 900. Today the burned
area Is guarded by militamen 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 fire.
but it was feared that the number would
be increased when a search OF the ruins
was made. Over half a hundred people
were injured and many were taken to the
hospitals suffering severely. but this morn
Ing all the injured ones were reported to
he doing we'll. although several still re.
manned on the dangerous list.
Course Of the Fire.
Starting near the corner Of Cypress and
Sd streets from q pubic dumping ground,
the blaze spread before a northeast gale
straight across the city to the southeast,
spreading out as 1t advanced, until its
northerly boundary reached the eastern
division Of the Boston & Maine railroad.
Thence it extended to the junction of the
railroad with the tracks Of the Boston &
Albany railroad over which it leaped and
then swept on until checked by small
creek. On the other side It crept along
Cd street until Broadway was rea ached, and
then went long Essex and Middlesex
streets to the water front at Chelsea
creek and then leaped into East Boston.
The distance from the point where the
fire started to the creek is ernile and a
half, and the greatest width Of the fire is
about half a mile.
Even at the creek the fire was not
wholly stayed. for SPARKS blown across
set fire to several houses and to the plant
Of the Standard OIL Company. The oil
plant was stiM burning at daybreak, and
was practically destroyed. Nine buildings
were burned here, including the pump
house, storehOuse, cooper shop, ONCE
and tank rooms, the latter containing
about 5000 barrels of oil. The loss on the
Standard Oil property was estimated at
100000.
Relieving the Sufferers.
The concerted efforts toward providing
relief for the thousands of sufferers were
fairly started today. Acting Gov.
Draper issued a call for an early morning
meeting of prominent Boston business
men at the state house to make plans for
raising funds for the temporary care of
the homeless, and at about the same
hour the citizens relief committee also
held a meeting.
The city Of Somerville, Mayor Grim
mons issued q call for a mass meeting to
consider means of giving aid to the fire
sufferers. Similar action was taken by
the executive heads of other cities.
1t was said that the legislature will
alss be asked during the day to take
measures for the relief Of the stricken city.
Charitable organizations found places
for many of the sufferers; schoohou
and other public buildings in Boston and
other places near the stricken city were
thrown open to provide temporary lodg-
ings, and hundreds Of military tents.
brought from the state camp grounds at
South birmingham. served as a protec-
tion for victims OF the fire. Acting Gov
Draper early last evening authorized the
city Of Chelsea to procure provisions for
emergency use up to any reasona BILE
amount at the expense of the state, and
dairy and bakery companies generously
contributed large supplies of their prod
ucte, which found their way promptly to
the sufferers.
10000 Homeless.
But notwithstanding the efforts on all
sides to render aid. there were thousands
of homeless ones who passed tho night
wandering the streets or shivering in the
parks or squares. Many Of the unfor-
tunates applied at police headquarters
for shelter and were cared for tempo
rarily In the courthouse. Early this morn
ing. however tents had been pitched in
open lots In Chelsea and the neighboring
city Of Everett, and all applicants were
sent to these temporary camps.
Although 1t was impossipie to tell even
approximately, the number Of people
made homeless by the FIRE, conservative
estimates placed it at about 10000 this
number representing perhaps 3,OOO fam
lilies.
Prompt measures for caring for .he
homeless were being taken, scores of ply
sicians. nurses and volunteer workers
were attending to the injured. The Chel-
sea police station was turned into tenn
pDrary hospital. and many sufferers were
brought there and treated temporarily.
Later they were sent 10 the naval hos
pital and the marine hospital. both Of
which were packed 10 the limit Of their
capacity. from this source and from the
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