Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-05-02
BUSINESS SECTION IS WIPED OUT
Nearly All Public Buildings and Many
Fine Residences Burn.
THoUsANDS OF PEOPLE HoMEIEss
Destruction of Retail Section Adds to
Problem Of Feeding Victims.
FIRE BURNS ALL DAY SUNDAY
Rain Aids in QuenehinE II, hut Adds
Greatly 90 the Suffering of the
vietIms-OnIy Two Lives
Are Lost.

BANGOR. Me- May 1-Homelese, wet.
hungry and exhausted by the long fight
agans the flames which last night de.
stroyed practically third OF the city of
Bangor. thousands Of persons today faced
the problem OF providing themselves with
food, shelter and clothing, while city and
state authorities began the consideration
Of plans for the rebuilding Of the city.
When dawn broke over the stricken city
today hundreds Of groups OF men, women
and children could be seen huddled around
smodering bonfires or stretched sions the
edge of the smoking ruins endeavoring TO
warm and dry themselves
Although the rain brought discomfort to
the homeess. Il was the means Of bring
ing under control the great confiagration
which ragged for more than seven hours
last night. Al a time when the battle
against the flames seemed hopeless, pro-
videntiai shift of wind and a downpour Of
rain drove the fire back over the burned
district and drowned out the flames which
had Just started in unburned property.
At 7:4S a. m. today the fire was virtually
ext'nguished One-third Of the city had
been destroyed, including some Of the
finest homes in the residential part of
Bangor, nearly all OF the public buildings
with the exception OF the city hall, and
the greater part of the retail section.
Loss is SIX millions.
Estimates of the probable loss varied but
It was generally thought at least se OOO 90
worth Of property had been destroyed. The
loss OF life. 80 far this morning. wns con-
fined to two persons, and only a dozen in
jured had been admitted to the hospi ais
The rain and change of wind having
solved the problem OF controlling the fire,
the attention OF the authorities was
directed today towards housing the home
less and feding the hungry. Every house
holder in Bangor whose home escaped de-
struction opened his doors last night to
less fortunate. hut in spite of this thou
sands we're forced TO spend the night in
the streets. surrounded by the few articles
OF clothing and household utensils they had
been able to save from the flames Many
OF these suffered greatly from cold and
exposure.
More serious however. than the prob
lens Of shelterinK the homeless was the,
matter OF feeding them. on account of the
destruction Of food supplies IN the retail
district. Every morning train brought food
to the city, but II was some little time
before the authorities could arrange for its
distribution.
To aid the police IN the protection OF
the little heaps Of furniture and clothing
saved from the fire by individual house
holders, one company OF militia was or
dered out for patrol and guard duty
Fire Burns All Night sunday.
The fire started near the corner of Broad
and Union streets. in the vicinity OF the
city hall, at o'clock yesterday afternoon
Famed by high wind. the flames swept
ncrth along Exchange street
Nearly all public buildings and banks ex-
cept the city hall, which was saved after a
hard fight. were destroyed.
The burned area includes about forty city
blocks. Among the principal buildings de-
stroyed were
Bangor High school, Bangor public
library, in which was located the banking
rooms OF the Bangor Savings bank; Cen
trail fire station, United States custom
house and postoffice, Universalist, Cen
tral Congregational, First Congregational
St Johns Episcopal, First Baptist and
Adventist churches; Norembega hall. IN
cluding the Gayety theater, Exchange
building, in which was located the law
school OF the University OF Maine; Windsor
hotel, Morse-oliver building, Haynes and
Chalmers building, Smith block Strickland
block, Stearns building Graham building
and Kenduskeag building