New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-01

any indication that rne- nren1en Wouin
win. Cheered by the help from this un-
expected quarter the fire fighting forces
were concentrated near Hammond and
Central streets. nearly tuo miles from
the start Of the blaze. and there the
spread Of the flames was checked at
midnight.
Rain Adds to Discomfort.
But while the rain and the shifting Of
the wind to the east saved the rest Of
the city from destruction. IL only added
| 10 the discomfort of thousands vho had
seen their homes 60 up in flames and
who were huddled together in the streets.
The burning of the churches and public
buildings left many Of the unfortunates
without place NJ shelter
Neither Of the city's newspapers vas
burned and both VII publish AZ usual
TO morrow Early reports told OF the
burning Of The Times" but the FIRE did
not reach that building The CONNER
cial" was also out of the fire zone
The problem OF housing and feeding
the destitute must be met a daylight
and will be a serious one. for churches
and public buildings, the usual places
of refuge in such disasters. are in ruins
and there is hardly an eating house,
bakery or other store where food can ne
secured left standing. Already offers OF
help have been received by Mayor Null
len. but the proffered aid cannot be ex-
pected to arrive in time To prevent suf-
fering
Mayor Mullen called out the local
company Of the militia and placed the
city under martial rule. Portland.
Lewiston, Augusta. Old Town, Brewer
and every other city ard town within
reach were asked for help and sent IL.
The burned area follows the Kendus-
keag stream for nearly two miles north
of the starting point. and spreads out to
a width varying from one-eighth to a
quarter Of a mile at different points.
Spread Of Fire Rapid.
Half an hour after the first alarm
was sounded nearly a dozen buildings
were in flames and the fire was eating
its way northerly up Broad and Ex-
change streets on either side OF Ken.
duskeag stream. In its pathway were
banks Office buildings the Public LIZ
brary and other structures. all OF which
were reduced 10 ashes.
The city was soon shut of from tele-
phone communication by the burning OF
the central office OF the New England
Telephone and Telegraph Company. and
calls for aid from Portland, Lewiston and
Augusta were sent out by the wire chief
of the company. who climbed pole and
cut in on a trunk line. The telegraph
companies offices were both burned In
the early stages Of the conaagration. but
later they established temporary offices
outside the zone and communication was
resumed.
In addition 10 the fire In Broad street.
the firemen found a blaze in a bicycle
repair shop in the rear OF the telephone
office. Both fires spread with such RAJ
pidity that the firemen were helpless.
City Hall Escapes Destruction.
one Of the few buildings to escape de-
struction was the City Hall This was
in the direct path Of the fire. but in some
way the flames leaped over II and II
was hardly scorched. The City Hall
stands at the junction OF Broad. state
and Hammond streets. At this point the
flames crossed the Kenduskeag and con-
tinued along both sides Of that stream.
As they burned north the path Of de-
struction grew wider while sparks set
innumerable fires many of them con-
siderable dis1ance from the main con-
hagration.
An Intellectual attempt was made 10
stay the progress Of the flames by dyna-
hitting several blocks including the
Smith and Strickland buildings. situated
I'm a triangle formed by Hammond ana
Central streets and the kenduskeas
stream. but the fire bridged the cnasm
and continued with undated fury.
Help from outside cities began TO ar
rive soon after o'clock. the Augusta
department being the first To come, ana
10 IT was assigned the duty Of saving
the residential district II possible.
Among the buildings burned during
the early stages OF the FIRE were the
HAYNES 4 Chalmers Building. the Hods-
kins Block. the Fiske Building. Fair
banks 4 Co.'S Building and the Bangor
Public Library. Then followed the tele-