Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-09-06
High Wind Fans Blaze To-
ward 81 siness Center.
Firemen Almost PowerIesS--
Iitia VIII Be Called Out.
4 Rough Estimate OF the Properly
Loss Now Ten Millions.

Hot Springs. Sept Fire which
started in Negroes cabin, at 33)
O'Clock this afternoon. was slowly dy
ing out at the foot of West Mountain.
the southern extremity of Hot Springs.
at midnight, after reducing to smold-
ering mass of wreckage an area more
than u mile in length and from seven
to ten blocks wide in the eastern sec
ton of the city. The monetary loss is
roughly estimated at 100000 900.
Gov. Hays arrived in Hot Springs,
late tonight. and probably will 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 mill
tary reservation.
1t is estimated that 1000 persons are
homeless.
So far as can be aseertained there
were no fatalities and the few per-
sons hurt suffered only minor injuries.
Among the buildings destroyed were
the citys light, water and power
plants, county court house, High
school building. Princess hotel, Moody
hotel Park hotel, Jefferson hotel, Ar
kansas Sanitarium and the Iron
Mountain Railway station.
The fire originated within several
blocks of the United States Army and
Navy hospital and took a south and
east course.
Frail wooden structures in the Negro
section about Church street and Malvern
avenue. where the fire started, made
more than ordinarily infammabie by an
extended drouth. burned like finder
| Driven by high wind the fire spread
rapidly. Within 10 minutes 1t was appar-
ent that the fire fighting force of Hot
Springs was inadequate and an appeal
| was made to Little Rock for aid. APP
| paratus and men were sent, but the con-
fagration was then beyond control. Dy-
Mantle was resorted to when 1t was ap-
parent that water would be of no avail
but this also failed to check the flames.
The burned district for some distance
skirts the business section and several
times the shifting winds headed the fire
for the principal business section. but
each time the free use of explosives and
| an opportune change in the wind saved
it. Before nightfail the task of check
ing the flames was abandoned and the
combined fire fighting forces turned their
tioi - toNdio hCcPh6 thO AiC o"oJ
from the center of the city This much
was accomplished. The city, at midnight.
was in darkness except for the glow of
| the dying fire. which cast shadows over
| a scene of desolation.
| Early in the evening, Mayor Nc
Clerdon ordered all saloons closed and
called a mass meeting of citizens at
the City hall. Two hundred and. fifty
| special officers were sworn in to pa
| hol the fire-swept district There was
| TO disorder.
All the homeless have been cared for
temporarily and plans have been start
ed to systematic the work ofzsuccor
tomorrow. Many offers of assistance in
| fire fighting apparatus, financial aid
| food and clothing have been received
but 1t is believed that outside, aid
| will not be needed.
Business was suspended, tonight,
I except such as was necessary in pro-
viding for the immediate wants of
:. those who lost their, homes. AS q re-
suit of the destruction Of the water,
power and light plants. street car ser
vice was abandoned and newspapers
and other industries which depend OH
motive power from the city are badly
crippled.