The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-13
High Winds Drove Flames Into East Boston and the Firemen Worked TweIve Hours--Twenty Business Blocks Destroyed and Cars Burned in the Streets-Four Persons Lose Lives; Nearly One Hundred More Are h. jured.

jured.
 Boston. April 12.--An apparently insignificant fire, which started among rags on a dump in the city of Chelsea today, was famed by northwest gale into a confiagration which obliterated nearly one-third of the city.
 Five hundred dwelling houses and public buildings. Including thirteen churches, were destroyed; K500 fami- lies were driven from their habitations and 10000 people made homeless. Two lives are known to have been lost, and at a late hour 1t was reported that two other persons had per:shed. one a woman. having shot herself in a frenzy over her inability to save her property From fifty to one hundred were injured.
 An accurate estimate of the loss is impossible. The city solicitor estimates 1t at nearly slO.ooo.ooo.
 The fire, which was the worst Bos- ton has known in many years ragged before forty live mile gale for more than twelve hours. defying every ef- fort of the combined fire departments of Chelsea and several nearby cities. and large detachment of Boston ire. men and apparatus.
 The fire area. which was in the form of a ellipse. a mile and half long and a half mile wide at its broadest part, extended diagonally across the city from a point neaR the boundary be- tween Everett and Chelsea to the wa- ters of Chelsea Creek. It was use- less for the fremen to attempt to check the onrushing flames before the gale, and their efforts were to prevent spread of the fire on either side.
 Now Under Control.
 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 united energy. the contest was won.
 At 1O:3O o'clock official announce ment was made by Chief H. A. Spencer that the fire was under control.
 Among the buildings burned were thirteen churches, Frost Hospital, Chill dren's Hospital. City Hall. Fitz Public Library, i've school houses, a dozen or more facories and about 500 tenements and dwellings.
 The residential section of the city, where the wealthier classes reside, es- capped the flames
 Tn the retail section, through which the fire passed, was twenty business blocks which were destroyed. Tn e United States Marine buildings were not damaged.
 Two women are known to be dead as a result of the fire. Neither body has been identified.
 The fire originated in the rear of the Boston Backing Company's works, on West Third Street near the eastern division of the Boston and Mine Rail- road, and in close proximity to the Everett City line. A terrific gale from the northwest, which at times had a velocity of sixty miles an hour car ried burning shingles. embers and my riads of sparks to score of wooden buildings, most of them of cheap wood en construction.
 The fire started almost in the extreme southwest section of the city and cut a path to the end of Maverick Street at inc extreme Southeastern end of the city. which borders on Chelsea Creek. This point is about one mile and a quarter from the point where the con migration began.
 The flames swept through the heart of the retail business section, which was about midway between the two extreme limits reached by the fire.
 The flames reached Broadway. tn e principal street of the city, at point between Third and Fifth Streets, and he l- lows Hall and Bennett block.
 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 toSreturn from Chelsea to protect prop Srty in the;r district.
 Soldiers on Guard.
 A militia call by Mayor Beck of Chelsea brought out the first company coast artillery Captain Renfrew com manding. in order to guard property moved into the streets from buildings sn the path of the flames.
 Colonel Wood. commanding the ma rines at the Charlestown Navy Yard volunteered the services of the 18th 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 Admiral Swift, of the Navy Yard, also sent out all the men rom the receiving ship Wabash, who were not already off on leave. These sail ors 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 to remove their goods Advance squads of militia and police were sent ahead warning fam flies living in the path of the fire which leaped block after block with astonishing rapidity.
 The crowds generally were easily