The Topeka state journal., 1913-09-06

people and guard the devastated dis
trict.
There is no danger of a water fam
inc, according to the authorities. Even
if the supply were cut Oft there are
numerous cold springs throughout the
city furnishing sufficient water Tor all
purposes 1t was announced today
that the city will be without electrlc
lights for sixty days.
The Sentinel-Record, the morning
newspaper here, barely escaped de-
struction by the fire last night, ana
did not issue it's regular editions .Ihe
New Era and Daily News, the after
noon papers, are without power ana
unable to publish. Business generally
is at a standstill.
Fire which started in a negro's cabin
was slowly dying out at the foot or
West mountain the southern extremity
of Hot Springs, at midnight, after re-
ducing to a smoldering mass of ruins
an area more than a mile in length and
from seven to ten blocks wide in the
eastern section of the city. The none
tary loss is roughly estimated at ten
million dollars.
In the path of the flames were man.
ufacturing houses. hotels, a number of
the more pretentious residences and
public buildings.
Thousands Homeless.
1t is estimated that 1000 persons are
homeless. So far as can be ascer-
tanned there were no fatalities and the
few persons hurt suffered only minor
injuries.
Among the buildings destroyed were:
The city's water, light and power
plants; county court house, high school
building, Park hotel, Moody hotel,
Princess hotel. It. Louis, Iron Noun
tain G. Southern railroad station and
shops and the Arkansas sanitarium.
Small buildings by the hundreds were
reduced to ashes.
But few of those whose homes were
burned saved any of their household
effects and guests of the hotels gave
little heed to their valuables and lug
gage in their efforts to escape the
flames.
The fire originated several blocks
from the United States army and navy
hospital and took south and east
course.
F'rail wooden structures in the ne
gro section about Church street and
Malvern avenue, where the fire start
ed, made more than ordinarily in
flammable by an extended drouth,
burned like tinder. Driven by a high
wind, the fire spread rapidly.
Within fifteen minutes 1t was ap-
parent that the fire fighting force of
Hot Springs was Inadequate and an
appeal was made to Little Rock for
aid. Apparatus and men were sent
but the fire was then beyond control,
Dynamite was reSorted to when it
was apparent that water would be of
no avail but this also failed to check
the progress of the flames.
The burned district for some dis
tance skirts the business district and
several times shifting winds headed
the fire for that section but each
time the free use of explosives and
opportune change in the wind saved
it. The task of checking the flames
was abandoned and the combined fire
fighting forces turned their efforts
toward keeping the fire away from the
center of the city. This much was
accomplished.
City in Darkness.
The city at midnight was in dark
ness except for the glow of the dying
fire which cast shadows over a scene
of desolation.
All the homeless have been cared
for temporarily and plans have been
started to systemiZe the work of sue
cor. Many offers of assistance in fire
fighting apparatus, financial aid, food
and clothing have been received but it
is believed tl-at outside help will not
be needed.
Business was suspended except such
as was necessary in providing for
the immediate wants of those that
suffered the loss of their homes.
AS result of the destruction of the
water, light and power plants, street
car service was abandoned and news
papers and other Industries which
crippled.
General Manager Dillon, of the pub
lie utilities commission, states that a
temporary light and power service
will be established within thirty days
and within three months the public
plants will be working to their capa-
city again. The natural gas supply
was not interfered with.
Firemen many times endeavored to
destroy buildings yet untouched, but
the flames swept over the partially
wrecked buildings and broke out in
new places.
At times early in the night the gale
reached a velocity of forty miles an
hour and three times the shifting
wind currents changed the course Of
the fire. Twice it was headed for the
main business district, the last time
shortly before 9 o'clock, when by the
free use of dynamite, the com biped
fire fighting force succeeded in divert
ing the course of the fire toward
South Hot Springs.