The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-13
TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE
 ARE RENDERED HOMELESS
Several Are Killed and More Than Half Hundred Are More Or Less Seriously Injured In
 the conflsgration. :.

significant fire which started among rags on a dump in the city of Chelsea today was famed by north west gale into confiagration which obliterate3 nearly one-third of the city. Five hundred dwelling houses and public buildings were destroyed, 15o0 famt- lies were driven from their habits- t,ons and 10000 people made home less.
 Two lives are known to have been lost and at late hour it was reported that two other persons had perish ed, one woman, having shot herself in frenzy over her inability to save her property. From 50 to 100 were in iured.
 An accurate estimate of the loss Is impossible. The city solicitor esti- iates it at nearly $1O,0oO ,OoO The fire, which was the worst Boston has known in many years, ragged before | 45-mile gale for more than 12 hours, defying every effort of the combinei fire departments of Chelsea and several i.earty cities and large detachment of Boston fremen 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 part, extended diagonally across the city from point near the boundary between Everett and Chelsea to the waters of Chelsea creek. It was use- less for the firemen to attmpt 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 Chel- sea square late in the afternoon, and for four hours a doubtful battle was waged. At 9 o'clock word was passed that the fremcn were winning and with united energy the contest was pressed. At 10:50 announcement was made by Chief H. A. Spencer that the Ire was under control.
 The great majority of the buildings were of wood and were completely de- stroyed, but structures of other ma terial were almost as quickly aud thoroughly incfnerated by the fierce iess of the blaze.
 All the banks, more than three fourtbs of the churches, half of the business blocks and nearly all the school houses were wiped out Ore hospital and a day nursery were oe- stroyed. Tn the turmoil many of the sick and infirm found difficulty in ob- taining assistance and several of them had narrow escapes.
 Late in the afternoon the wind had carried burning embers across Chelsea creek and buildings in East Boston caught, but extensive damage there was prevented by prompt and energetic work by the firemen.
 At least two children were born during the fire. Mrs. J. Smoke of 134 Chestnut street, and Mrs. J. Marnold, 17 Maverick street. were the mothers of these infants. In botp cases the births occurred shortly before the fire reached the homes of the parents. The mothers and children were removed to the hospital in an ambulance.
 The Injured.
 Among the injured were:
 Fireman Carroll of Charlestown, over come by smoke and burned about head; i; condition critical.
 Engineman Charles Carroll Boston, overcome and badly burned; condition critical.
 Mrs Rosie Flas, Marine hospital, in bad condition; gave birth to child yes- terday and removed from burning house. R. H, Leach, Chelsea, badly. burned. Police Officer W. J. O'Neil, Chelsea, overcome.
 Police officer T. E. Flynn, Chelsea. overcome.
 Capt. B. F. Hayes, engine 27 Boston, overcome and ordered home.
 Bernard Johnson, Boston, volunteer fireman, burned about head.
 John Gowd, Chelsea, leg badly injured. Lieutenant Heffernan, engine 27. over come by smoke.
 Sally Wilkins, an aged cripple, removed from burning house by four Harvard students suffering from shock.
 District Chief Albert Porter, Boston, burned about head and face; collapsed. Sergeant Charles Ferguson, Fifth com pany, Coast Artillery, head, eyes and face burned.
 Ladderman J. w. Robinson, Chelsea, head and face burned.
 Fireman Charles H. Libby, Cambridge, overcome by smoke.
 4 c. Holland, Chelsea, face burned. M J. Fern, no address, burned about head and face.
 w. D. Beaver, removed from burning building four diffirent times; suffering from shock.
 Thomas Pond, Chelsea. suffering from excitement and weakness following recent operation.
 Joseph Meddowes, broken leg.
 Captain Preble Lynn fire department, afngerously burned; condition critical.
 'die Baumstein. aged Il, Chelsea, arms
 I'd.
 sf Evans, Metrose fire department, IIe and hands burned.
 Captain Williams Chelsea, head and lfoulders burned. AJ H. Quinn Coast artilleryman, face and hands burned.
 A. s. Rooney, Lynn, burned.
 P, Rogers, Lynn, burns.
 c. c. Stover. fireman. burns.
 w. S. Northrop, fireman, Lynn face burned. \ F. J. Pike. Lynn, fireman, burned. R. D. Wyer, Lynn, fireman, burns. Captain Avery. Lynn. burns.
 Sergeant Gallias. Chelsea police, over come by smoke.