White Pine news weekly mining review. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1910-1920, 1920-06-27
Destructive BLAZE IN
RESTRICTED DISTRICT
CLEANS OUT BLOCK

Once more the Lily Volunteer Fire
department demonstrated its ability
IS fire-fighters and saved the cEy of
Ely from the fate that has fallen
10 many mining towns--destructio
by fire.
With forty-miIe an hour gale
blowing down Robinson canyon Fri
day morning about = a. III. ire was
discovered in the Rinehart dance
hall in the Red Light district, which
is situated in the mouth of Robinson
sanyon and west of Ely. Before the
alarm was given by the inhabitants
the fire had spread over the dance
hall and was licking up the frame
structures adjoining with tongues OF
flame that roared with the force of
the wind like mighty blast furnace.
The mountains on each side OF the
canyon were red with the flare and
great sparks and burning embers
we're blown toward the business sec
ion of the city that looked for a
time To threaten destruction 10 the
entire town.
Fire Chief Matthias With the vol
untecr department got into action in
luck time. but SO rapidly did the fire
spread that several lengths of hose
were burned while the flremen risk
ing their lives attempted to keep the
water playing on the burning struc-
lures. The intense heat from the
burning buildings caused the ignition
If the hose in the street and thus
shut of one OF the most important
streams being played on the burning
buildings.
The scene vas one of the most
spectacular. with rosy checked
blondes and brunottes In various
styles of llngeree rushing from the
threatened zone. dragging at trunks
or carrying pet poodles to a place OF
safety. while the onlookers con-
sisted of practically all types of hu-
manity from every walk of life
bankers. preachers, merchants, sales
men. clerks-men, women. girls and
boys-all classes of society represent
I'd. II was perhaps the most unusual
aggregation of people ever seen in
that section. and the suggestion was
made that the News might head its
article New Faces in the Red Light
District" giving the personnel" or
the customary those present were" ]"
Many an unfortunate lost all they
POSSESSED in worldly goods and we're
made destiture by the catastrophe.
Fearing the entire city war threat
sned. call was sent u The fire de-
partment at McGill. fourteen miles
away. The fire truck and crew re-
sponded. making the run TO EiY In
the record time of thirty minutes
The entire block between first and
second streets was burned TO the
ground. Robert BRADY was one OF
the heaviest losers in properly. 9th
VT buildings burned were owned by
Watson. Aubrey, Wilson and upson.
rhe estimated loss Will exceed s30,-
900. with little insurance.
The high pressure of water was OF
great assistance To the iiremen in
controlling the hrc A test OF the
pressure of water was made during
the progress of the fire and the reg
ister showed s. pounds The aver
age pressure OF the water supply at
Ely is maintained at 65, but In cases
Of fire the water company switches
the supply in order that high pres
sure may be obtained through the
mains. Manager Arthur Smith of
he Ely Water company was present
1t the fire. driving from East Ely, 10
assure himself that the water pres
sure was adequate. The iiremen are
high in their praise OF the company
for the excellent pressure given for
he many lines OF hose in operation