Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-05-01
DISASTROUS CONFEDERATION
An Area Of Nearly Quarter OF Vile OF
Buildings In Bangor. Me- Destroyer
-Ioss m in the Millions.

Loss up in the Millions.
Bangor. Me-, May With the fire
which practically wiped out the bust,
ness section and much OF the best resi-
Dental portion Of this city, under con-
troll. but still burning fiercely today,
the state and city authorities set on foot
movement to relieve distress and Sc
cure shelter for the homeless. Alre ady
offers of aid from outside are pouring
in. and it is announced all of the
burned portions of the city will be re-
built
The fire destroyed nearly all Of the
important business structures III the
city with a total loss Of between five
and six million dollars, and rendered
$500 persons homeless. Today, the
city is under martial law, while sold
iers with loaded rifles, are guarding the
vaults Of all banks and trust companies
in the burned zone to prevent looting.
It is known that three persons lost
their lives, while fifty others were IN
jured in fighting the fire.
A number Of big lumber yards along
the river front caught fire and are still
burning. Their contents, mostly dressed
lumber of the most expensive kind,
will be total loss.
The fire started OF 4 O'Clock yester-
day afternoon at Broad and Union
streets, short distance from the kend-
nskeag and Penobscot rivers, which dl-
vide the city. Famed by strong wind
it swept northwar1 devasting the bust
ness section and then sweeping on into
the north end where are most of the
best residences.
As the fire communicated from
building to building an immense
shower Of sparks and burning embers
was carried far ahead, landing on the
unprotected shingled roofs Of structures
far removed from the immediate fire
zone. 1t was this that caused the fire
to get away from the local department
and soon appeals for help were being
sent to outside cities. As the fire
burned on the city lighting plant went
out OF commission and throughout the
night the fire was fought in darkness
which increased the enormousnesS OF
the task.
When it became certain that water
was OF little avail in combating the
fast spreading fire, Mayor Mullen or
dered the fremen to use dynamite
Several blocks in the direct pathway
we're blown up, and this gave the fire.
men the opportunity TO make deter
mined stand which finally saved a
small portion of the city.
About midnight the wind shifted and
light rain began to fall. But while
the rain and the shifting of The wind to
the east saved the rest Of the city it
brought much misery TO the homeless
compelled to walk the streets Without
heller Burning Of the public build
ings and churches left these unfortu
mates without shelter and it was not
until today that they could be provided
for.
The actual burned area spreads out
from one-eighth to oae-quarter of a
mile and extends for two miles north
along the river from the starting point.
More than two hundred dwellings
have been destroyed, and their occu-
pants rendered homeless.
A tour of the city shows that there
is hardly grocery, bakery or restau-
rants left standing The food problem
is very serious one
One-third OF the city Of Bangor,
Me-. is in ruins, thousands of persons
are homeless, and a property loss
estimated at $6,00O,000 was sustained
as the result Of conhagration which
ragged for hours last night. Starting in
hay shed the confiagration swept
through the heart Of the city, leaving
residences. churches, schools, business
blocks. and all the public buildings,
with the exception of the city hall, a
mass of smoking ashes.
Three lives are known 10 have been
lost. A fireman was killed by falling
wall an unknown young man was
crushed to death when one Of the
churches collapsed, and an elderly
| man was also buried beneath falling
| debris.
Mayor Mullen placed the city under
martial rule.