Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1908-04-13
CHELSEA IN FLAMES,
Third of City Wiped Out by Great
confIagration.
THOUSANDS MADE HOMELESS

IISSSVNDS NNDI Il0WIIISS
Property Loss In Boston Suburb
Mounts Up to Several Millions-Four
Deaths Caused by Fire, One q gWo-
mans Suicide.
Boston, April 13.--An apparently In
significant fire which started among
rags on a dump in the suburban city
of Chelsea. In the northeastern section
of Boston, was famed by northwest
gale into conflagration which obliter-
ated nearly one-third of the city Five
hundred dwelling houses and public
! buildings were destroyed, 1900 fami-
lies were driven from their habitations
and 10000 people of Chelsea's $4,000
were made homeless Two lives are
known to have been lost, and it was
reported that two other persons had
persisted, one a woman, having shot
herself In a frenzy over her inability
to save her property. From fifty to
seventy-five persons were injured.
In the confusion attending the situa-
ton accurate estimates of the loss
| We're impossible. The city solicitor
estimates it at nearly S10000,000.
Gale Drives Flames.
The fire, which was the worst
Greater Boston has known since the
great fire" of 1871, ragged before a
forty-five mile gale for more than
forts of the combined fire departments
of Chelsea and several nearby cities
and a large detachment of Boston fire
men and apparatus.
The fire started almost in the ex-
treme southwest section of the city and
cut path to the end of Maverick
street, at the extreme southeastern
end Of the city, which borders on Chel-
sea creek This point is about one
mile and quarter from the point
where the confagration began. The
flames swept through the heart of the
retail business section, which was
about midway between the two ex-
treme limits reached by the fire.
Among the structures were thirteen
churches, two hospitals, the public H.
brary. city hall, five schoolhouses,
twenty business blocks, nearly a score
of factories and upward of 300 tene-
ments and dwelling houses.
The streets over which the flames
rushed included Carter, Maple, Spruce,
Arlington, Ash, Walnut, Poplar, Chest
nut and Cherry to Broadway. From
Broadway the fire spread to. Belling.
ham hill. From Summer street the fire
cut another pathway. running diago-
nally across Third street, Everett ave
nue. and Fourth street TO Bellingham
street. The flames reached Broadway,
the principal street of the city, at
point between Third and Fifth streets
and destroyed the Masonic hall, Odd
Fellows hall and Bennett block.
Property Guarded by Militia.
A militia call by Mayor Beck of Chel-
sea brought out the First company,
coast artillery. Captain Renfrew COM
manding. in order to guard property
moved into the STREETS from buildings In
the path of the flames. Colonel Wood,
commanding the marines at the
Charlestown navy yard, volunteered
the services Of the One Hundred and
Fifth company. stationed at the navy
yard. and OH request of Mayor Beck
the company was sent to the fire under
command of Captain Hill. Rear Admit
raj Swift of the navy yard also sent
out all the men from the receiving ship
Wabash who were not already of on
liberty. These sailors 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 remove their
goods. Advance squads of the military
and police were sent ahead warning
out families living i'm the course Of the
fire. which leaped block after block
with astonishing rapidity. The crowds
generally were easily handled. Occa-
seonally some excited house owner
would burst through the Gordon Of MI
litia and marines TO dash into house
for some forgotten valuables. but the
presence Of so many uniformed guards
overawed the rougher element.
The fire area. a mile and a half long
and half a mile wide at its broadcast
part. extended diagonally across the
city from a point near the boundary
between Everett and Chelsea 10 the
waters of Chelsea creek. IL was use
less for the firemen 10 attempt to
check the onrush of the flames before
the gale. and their main efforts were
to prevent a spread Of the blaze upon
either side. Their last stand was TAX
en- at Chelsea square. and for hours
doubtful battle was waged. Finally
word was passed that the firemen
we're winning. and With renewed en-
ergy the contest was pressed. Two
hours later Official announcement was
made by Chief n. 4 Spencer that the
fire wss under control.
Extent ef Burned Area.
The great majority Of the buildings
were of wood and were completely
destroyed. hut structures Of other
were almost as quickly ami
incineraied by the fierce
ness % the blaze.
All the hanks, mere than threc-guar- !
'ers Of the churcheS. half ~ tho bust .
ness biocks and nearly all the school
houses were wiped out. one hospital
autf a daw r4u~zary vFere deSfroved In