Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-01
THIRb OF CITY BURNED,
WITH $4,000, 900 LOSS
Every Public Building Except City
Hall in Ruins.
LOSS OF LIFE Is SMALL
So Far as Known Only Two Persons
Were Killed-Shift Of Wind and
Downpour Of Rain Saved City
From Further Loss.

BANGOR, Me-. May 1.--Homeless, vet,
against the flames which last night de-
stroyed practically third OF the city of
Bangor, thousands Of persons today fac
ed the problem of providing themselves
city and state authorities began the con-
sideration 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 hud-
died around smoldering bonhres. or
stretched along the edge Of the smoking
ruins. endeavoring to warm and dry
themselves.
Rain Aided Fire Fighters.
Although the rain brought discomfort
to the homeless it was the means OF
bringing under control the great con-
hagration which ragged fer more than
seven hours last night. At a time when
the battle of the fremen and household
ers against the flames seemed hopeless a
providential shift of wind and a down.
pour of rain drove the fire back over the
burned district and drowned out the
flames which had just started in un-
burned property.
At 7:45 am. today the fire was vir-
trally extinguished. One-third OF the city
had been destroyed, including some OF
the finest homes In the residential part
Of Bangor, all of the public buildings,
with the exception Of the city hall. and
the greater part of the retail business
section. Estimates Of the probable loss
varied, but 1t was generally thought that
at least $1,000, 900 worth Of property had
been destroyed.
Only Two Lives Lost.
The loss cf life, so far as known this
morning. was confined to two persons,
ana only half dozen injured had been
admitted to the hospitals. The rain and
change of wind having solved the prob
lem Of controlling the fire. the attention
of the authorities was directed today to-
ward housing the homeless and feeding
the hungry.
Every householder In Bangor whose
home escaped destruction opened his
doors last night to the less fortunate. but
In spite Of this thousands were forced to
spend the night in the streets. surrounded
BY the few articles of clothing and house
hold utensils they had been able 10 save
from the flames. Many Of these suffered
greatly from cold and exposure. More
serious. however. than the problem Of
sheltering the homeless was the matter
Of feeding them, on account Of the de-
struction Of food supplies in the retail
district. Every morning train brought
food to the city. but 1t was some little
time before the authorities could arrange
Tor its distribution.
Militia Ordered Out.
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
The nre started near the corner OF
Broad and Union streets. in the vi
entity OF city hall at o'clock yester-
0ay afternoon. Famed by a high wind
the names swept along Broad and Ex-
on either side OF Kenduskeag stream, a
small river which flows into the Pen
obscot Most Of the public buildings
and banks were in the path OF the fire.
and with the exception Of the city hall.
which was saved after the hardest
kind OF night, all these structures were
destroyed The burned area extends
from the junction Of Kenduskeag-
stream and the Penobscot river to
Broadway Park and on the other side
IL bounded by Maine and Center
streets on one side to Grove street
"a the opposite side. This area in
ciudss about forty city blocks
Buildings Destroyed.
Among the principal buildings DESTROYED
were the following: Bangor High School
Bangor public library. in which was 10.
cated the banking rooms Of the Bango,
Savings Bank and central fire station
United States custom house and post of.
ice. Cniversalist Central CONGREGATIONAL
FIRST Congregational, St. Johns Episco
Pal, First Babtist and Advent churches
Norembaga Hall, including the Gaiet,
rheater. Exchange building, in which
were located the law school Of the Uni
versity Of Maine: Windsor Hotel. Tarran
tine Club: Morse-Oliver building. Hayes
q Calnsrs buildings: Smith block. Strick
land block. Stearn building, Graham
building and Kenduskeag b, .ldiny.
When II was seen that the fire was on
OF control OF the Bangor fire department
assistance was asked from q number O
Maine cities. and Portland, Lewiston an
Angus = sent men and apparatus TO hel
the local fremen in checking the advanc