The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-06
Little Rock Fire Depart
ment Comes to Aid Of
the Stricken City.
FIRE STARTS IN
NEGRO DWELLING
Gets Beyond Control in Few
Minutes and Spreads to the
Residential Section-Loss Nav
Run to Ten Million Dol
lars-Prominent Build
ings Are Destroyed.

AiOI DPi HiSo, al ~, CCpcClllDSt
Sire, which started in a ne
gro's cabin at $50 o'clock, is
slowly dying out at the foot of
West Mountain, the southern ex-
tremity OF Hot Springs, at mid
night, after reducing to a smol-
dcring mass OF wreckagc All area
more than mile i'll length and
from seven to ten blocks Vide in
the eastern section of the city.
An accurate statement Of the
monetary loss is not possible to-
night, but it is roughly estimated
at SlO,OOO,OOO
Governor Hays arrived in Hot
Springs late tonight, and will
probably order a military patrol
of the burned district tomorrow
morning. United States troops
also are expected from Little
Rock to add to the guard on the
military reservation.
Two Thousand Homeless.
In the path of the flames were
manufacturing establishm ents,
hotels, number OF the more pre-
tentious residences and public
buildings. All were destroyed.
1t is estimate that 1000 per-
sons are homeless.
So far as can be ascertained,
there were no fatalities, and the
few that were hurt suffered only
minor injuries.
Among the buildings destroyed
were the city's light, water and
power plants, the county court
house, the high school building,
the Park, Moody and Princess
Hotels, St Louis, Iron Mountain
and Southern Railroad Station
and shops and the Ozark Sana-
torium. Smaller buildings by the
hundreds were reduced to ashes.
Pay No Heed to Valuablcs.
But few of those whose homes were
burned saved any or their belong
ings. and guests of the hotels gave
little heed to their valuabIes and lug
gage in their efforts to escape with
their lives.
The fire originated within several
blocks of the United States Army and
Navy Hospital, and took a south and
east course.
The frail structures in the negro
section about Church Street and Mall
vern Avenue, where the ire started,
made more than ordinarily infam-
mable by an extended drought, burn
ed like tinder, and, driven by a wind
OF almost cyclonic proportions, spread
rapidly. Apparatus and men were
sent from Little Rock, but the con-
ilagration was then beyond control.
Dynamite was resorted to when 1t
was apparent that water would be OF
no avail, but this also failed.
Saloons Ordered Closed.
Mayor McLendon tonight ordered
all saloons closed and called a mass
meeting of citizens at ,ne City Hau.
police patrol OF $50 men was
sworn In to patrol the fire-swept dis
trict. So far there has peen no dis
order
All the homeless have been cared
for temporarily, and plans have been
started to systematic the work Of
succor tomorrow. Many offers of as
sistance in fre-fghting apparatus,
financial aid. food and clothing have
been received, but 1t Is believed that
outside aid will not be needed.
Business Suspended.
Business was practically suspended
tonight except that necessary to pro-
vide for the immediate wants OF those
who suffered the loss of their homes.
The lack OF light and power prevent
ed the operation of the street car
system. the publication OF newspa-
pers and number OF other indus
tries.
General Manager Dillon, of the
Public Utilities Commission, stated
that temporary light and power
service will be established within
thirty days. and in three months the
utilities will be working to their ca
pacity again. The natural gas supply
was not interfered with.
Starts in Negro Dwelling.
The fire originated In a negro
dwelling in Church Street. near NAL
vorn Avenue, just east OF the Army
and Navy Hospital shortly after 8
o'clock this afternoon, and spread
quickly to the south and east A
number OF small dwellings, dry as
tinder, as result OF an extended