The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-13
LOSS SIO,O0O,o00
One.Third of Chelsea, Mass,
Destroyed by Fire.
Five Hundred Dwellings and
y Public Buildings Burned.
THOUSANDS HOMELESS
All the Banks and Most of the
Churches Gone.
Two Hospitals, Day Nursery and
Many School Houses.
IN TERRIFIC G AL E..
Firemen Battled HOpelessly for
Twelve Hours.
Only Three Lives We're Lost So
Far as Known.
Two Hospitals, Day Nursery and
Many School Houses.
IN TERRIFIC GALE.
kiremen Battled HOpeiessly for
Twelve Hours.
Only Three Lives We're Lost So
Far as Known.

Boston, April 13.-Ten thousand
persons rendered homeless. at least
three burned to death. half a hundred
injured and a property loss of between
s7.5oO,0O0 and 1000, 900 summarizes
the record of disaster which confronts
the city of Chelsea this morning as
result of the great fire of yesterday.
A blackened and fame charred ruin
marks the sites of some of the finest
public buildings of the city, historic
churches. valuable factory and busi-
ness structures as well as hundreds of
houses, covers a belt three-quarters of
mile wide, stretching across the city
for distance of a mile and a half.
Boston, April 13.-An apparently
insignificant fire which started among
rags on dump in the city of Chelsea
Sunday was famed by a northwest
gale into conf1agration which oblit-
Grated nearly one-third of the city.
Five hundred dwelling houses and
public buildings were DESTROYED. fif-
teen hundred families were driven
from their habitations and ten thou
sand people made homeless
Three lives are known to have been
lost, and it is reported that two other
persons persisted; one, a woman,
having shot herself in a frenzy over
her inability to save her property.
From fifty to one hundred persons
were injured
Accurate estimates of the loss is
impossible. The city solicitor esti-
mates 1t at nearly $10,0OO,O0O The
fire ragged before a 45-miIe gale for
more than IL hours, defying the ut
most efforts of the combined fire de-
partments of Chelsea and several
nearby cities, and large detachment
of Boston firemen and apparatus The
fire area. which was in the form of
an ellipse mile and a half long and
half mile wide at it's broadest, ex-
tended diagonally across the city
from point near the boundary be-
tween Everett and Chelsea to the
waters OF Chelsea creek. 1t was USE
less for the f1remen to attempt to
check the onrushing flames before the
gale. and their main efforts were to
prevent spread of the fire on either
side. Their last stand was taken at
Chelsea Square late in the afternoon.
and for hours doubtful battle was
waged. At o'clock word was passed
that the firemen were winning, and
with renewed energy the contest was
pressed. At 10 o'clock official an
nouncement was made by Chief H A.
Spencer that the fire was under con-
troll.
great majority of the buildings
were of wood and were completely de-
stroyed but structures of other ma
terials were almost as quickly and
thoroughly incinerated All the
banks, more than three-quarters of
the churches. half of the business
blocks and nearly all the school
houses were wiped out One hospital
and a day nursery were DESTROYED. In
the turmoil many of the sick and in
firm found difficulty in obtaining as
sistance and several of them nerrow-
ly escaped.
Late in the afternoon the wind had
carried burning embers across Chel-
sea creek and buildings in East Ros-
ton caught fire. but extensive damage
/ there was prevented by prompt and
Nenergetic work by the flremen.
The Injured.
Among the injured were:
Fireman Carroll of Charlestown,
overcome by smoke and burned about
head; condition critical.
Engineman Charles Carroll, Boston.
overcome and badly burned: condi-
tion critical.
Mrs. Rosie Flas. Marine hospital, in
bad condition; gave birth to child Sat
urday and removed from burning
house.
A H. Leach. Chelsea. badly burned.
Police officer w. ]. O'Neill, Chel-
sea. overcome.
Police officer T. z. Flynn, Chelsea,
Captain B. F. Hayes, engine 27.
Boston, overcome and ordered home.
Bernard Johnson, volunteer fire.
man, Boston. burned about head.
John Gowdy, Chelsea, leg injured.
Lieutenant Hefferman, engine 27,
overcome by smoke
Sally Watkins, aged cripple, re-
moved from burning house by four
Harvard students; suffering from
shock
District Chief Albert Porter, Boston,
burned about head and face; col
lapsed.
Sergeant Charles F. Dugin, fifth
company coast artillery, head, eyes
and face burned
Ladderman J. W. Robinson, Chel-
sea, head and face burned
Fireman Charles H. Libby Cam
bridge, overcome by smoke.
A. C. Holland, Chelsea. face burned.
M J. Fern, no address, burned
about head and face.
W. J. Seaver, paralytic, removed
from burning places four times; suf-
fering from shock
Thomas Pond, Chelsea, SUFFERING
from excitement and weakness follow
ing recent operation.
Joseph Meddows. broken leg.
Origin of the Fire.
The fire originated in the rear o,
the Boston Blacking companys work.
on West Third street. near the east