Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-26


 Salem, Mass, June 25.-Nearly half of the "Old Witch City, of Salem, rich in historic buildings and tradition. was devastated today and tonight by a fire that caused an estimated loss of $1o, 900 900; destroyed one thousand ufacturing establishments and made ten thousand of the 45,0oo residents homeless
 The fire originated in the Korn Leather factory on the west side of the city about two o'clock this after noon, swept through the shoe and eather manufacturing district, ruining every building in a curving path two miles long and more than half a mile wide.
 northwest wind, started fires in two other sections, the fashionable resi- dential district adjacent to Lafayette street and a manufacturing and tene- ment house district on the peninsula bounded by Palmer's Cove, South River and the waterfront.
 Fourth Fire Kindied.
 Late in the evening a fourth fire was hnd1ed by brands in the plant of the Salem Oil company in Mason street. northwest of the Essex county courthouse A terrific explosion oc- cured when the oil tanks blew up and showers of sparks fell threateningiy on that part of the town that before had not been in imminent danger. This lire. however, was checked after it had destroyed the oil company's plant and thirteen houses
 FIames Under Control at ii D. m. - When the flames were believed to be under control at II o'clock stonight ell of the famous historic and literary iandns1ks had escaped destruction. These included the Peabody Museum. 6esex Institute, old custom house, where Nafhaniel Hawthorne did much - his literary work, and ".The House hhs novelist
 At midnight the fire was burning pn Derby street not far from the Pea body Museum. but 1t was thought that the building and its valuable collec- lion of curios would be saved.
 "The House of the Seven Gables" was also in the danger zone.
 The fire burned a semi circular path. Originally driven in a southeasterly direction from the foot of Gallows Hill, the place where witches were hanged. two and Q half centuries ago, 1t spread to South Salem and then eAanged it's course and crept steadily in northerly direction towards Town House square, the center of the city s retail business life.
 Entire City Seemed Doomed.
 For a time the entire city seemed doomed. Then the firemen concen- 6ated their energies in a single point of defense near the Boston and Maine railroad station Several buildings in this vicinity were dynamited. every available line of hose was directed against the approaching flames and late tonight il looked as though the fire been checked. No fatalities had been reported up to midnight. but in the confusion it was impossible to de- termine the casualties. Some fifty in- 1ured persons were received at the hos pita1s.
 Homeless Camp on Common.
 Thousands of the homeless were camped on Salem Common tonight, with such household goods as they could save piled around them. Long lines of refugees. most of them on foot, and others in wagons, carriages and automobiles. crowded the road leading to Bevelry, where hundreds spent the night in the parks
 Early in the evening the electric light plant was burned cut throw fng the city into darkness.
 The high school. police station. state buildings were thrown open to the homeless ones and the city was po- Heed by militiamen.
 Poor Water Pressure.
 xhe great destruction was due to ecor water pressure.
 The first spread of the fire was on the west side of the city. Territory about two miles long and more than half a mile wide was devastated.
 In the meantime falling embers started fires in South Salem and the more exclusive residential part of the city. All the available fire fighting epnaratus was in the historic Ga1lows Hill section where it had responded to a general arrangement and South Salem Jeff trifhnIlf r1y., ,ta7ffnu building after another burst into flames.
 For several hours the fire in this district was confined to a small dis tr1ct. but as evening approached the flames spread in all directions des- troying hundreds of residences in the most fashionable parts of Salem.
 The city orphan asylum, sIleltering 1oO persons. was destroyed. The cti1- dren were taken by the nuns to a place of safety. The Salem hospital was destroyed. The patients were removed to safety on stretchers.
 Moved Like Huge Sickle.
 Tp Lafayette street swept the flames, making clean path from the state normal school north to Cedar and Everett streets. From this point the front of the fire moved like a huge sickle across Salem and Park streets to the water front There was no ap- paratus here 10 check the flames
 At the start the water pressure was low and when the fight had become desperate a great water main near the Beverly bridge broke and the firemen were practically helpless.
 Meantime calls for assistance had been sent to nearby cities.
 Boston. Lynn and other cities sent apparatus but the combined efforts were futile and resort was had to dy- Aamlt4 Sessr1 blocks in the path