Daily Colonist, August 10, 1904.
VICTORIA SCENE OF DESTRUCTIVE FIRE
BLAZE WHICH BROKE OUT IN ALBION IRONWORKS BURNED 4 BLOCKS, DESTROYING MANY RESIDENCES AND DOING GREAT DAMAGE.
MANY ARE RENDERED HOMELESS.
AREA BOUNDED BY GOVERNMENT, PEMBROKE, BLANCHARD STREETS AND QUEENS AVENUE, THE STRICKEN DISTRICT LOSS PROBABLY $100,000
FIRE which originated in the pattern room of the Albion Ironworks, yesterday afternoon, destroyed the eastern section of the building and about 35 houses situated east of Douglas Street, from Pembroke Street to Queens’s Avenue.
The fire in the residential quarter rendered homeless a number of families, and in addition to the loss of the houses a considerable amount of furniture and personal effects was destroyed.
The total loss is estimated at about $100,000.
The efforts of the Fire Department prevented the flames from spreading to the lumber yards of the Shawnigan Lake Company, adjoining the Albion Iron Works, but little could be done, to save the houses above Douglas Street.
The question of relief to those of the sufferers who can least afford their losses is under consideration by city authorities.One of the most destructive fires in the history of Victoria occurred yesterday, resulting in a total loss estimated approximately at $100,000 and rendering homeless some 35 families.
The conflagration started at about 4 o’clock in the pattern room of the Albion Iron Works on Store Street. A general alarm was sent into the fire department, which was on the scene in quick time. But the strong south-westerly wind prevented the firemen from extinguishing the blaze, which gained very rapid headway, and all of the building east of the foundry was seen to be doomed. The flames and smoke poured through the roof and were carried across the vacant ground towards the big brick brewery on the other side of Government Street. That building, however, resisted the attack. While streams of water were being poured into the Ironworks some of the lumber stacked in the yards of the Shawnigan Lake Mill Company, on the other side of Harold Street, caught fire and the firemen had to direct some of their efforts towards extinguishing that. Had the big lumber yards gone up it is hard to say where the trouble would have ended. With the high wind prevailing half the city right have been destroyed. While the attention of the department was taken up with this work, the wind had carried sparks right across to Douglas Street and started a lively conflagration in 2 houses on the corner of Pembroke Street.
Almost immediately afterwards sparks from these buildings were carried up to a house on Douglas Street at Princess Avenue, from which the conflagration spread to various houses in the vicinity until practically to hold streets from east of Pembroke to Queens Avenue, above Douglas Street, were ablaze. Very fortunately the fire area in this section was confined owing to open fields lined to the north and east. Nothing else could have stopped the spread of the fire. Within an hour of the time the 1st house on Douglas Street was a fire practically all of the section described was in flames.
While those in the houses adjoining the fire took such measures as they could to save their property, the furniture and household effects in the doomed houses were hurriedly removed by the residents and a large number of volunteers. These included a big company of Marines and blue jackets from Esquimalt, who answered the call for help in double quick time and a number of the soldiers from Work Point, who also arrived at a run.
Meanwhile the fire department, having got the blaze at the Ironworks under control, came up in force to Douglas Street, but the water pressure, which had been poor on Store Street, practically gave out on the higher level, and little or nothing could be done with the hose.
The remarkable feature of the conflagration was the manner in which the flames “jumped” from one place to another in the strong wind doomed to destruction the buildings immediately in its path left unscathed those buildings adjoining to the south or west. Thus several houses on Douglas Street between Pembroke and Queens Avenue escaped destruction. The Leland Hotel on the corner of Douglas and Queens Avenue was one of these, although ex-Mayor McCandless’ house, immediately behind, was one of the 1st to go. The houses on both sides of Pembroke Street above Douglas were safe, probably by the action of the blue jackets and Marines, who tore down an intervening house and several wooden fences and outbuildings on Princess Avenue.
Great excitement prevailed in the city during the conflagration. Crowds from all parts assembled about the scene and many helping hands were extended to those who were being “burned out”. The fields beyond Blanchard Street and Queens Avenue were dotted with household effects guarded by the owners, and there were some pathetic scenes witnessed among those who had lost all their worldly possessions in a few minutes.
His Worship Mayor Bernard is considering what action he can take to relieve those who have suffered most severely, and an announcement of the city’s intentions in this respect may be expected today.
The fire had burned itself out by 7:30 in the evening, but was smouldering all night, necessitating a careful watch by the firemen. The general opinion is that, considering the high wind prevailing and the inadequate supply of water, the city had a fortunate escape from a very much heavier loss.
LOSS AT ALBION.
Interviewed last evening Mister W. F. Bullen, of Bullen Brothers, who have leased the Albion Iron Works, said the loss at the latter institution was a very serious one, as his firm would be seriously impaired in the execution of several important contracts which they have in hand he had not yet had time to compute the actual property loss by the fire. All the building’s east of the foundry were destroyed with the exception of the storehouse. New plant and machinery had lately been installed in certain of the works, and this was destroyed.
Mister Bullen was not in a position to speak of the amount of insurance, but from other inquiries made it was ascertained that the Albion Iron Works Company carried insurance to the amount of $75,000.
Night and day shifts were being employed at the Albion and Mister Bullen stated last evening that as many men as possible would be transferred to the works at Esquimalt and continued on the jobs in hand.
Mister Bullen was loud in praise of the action of the sailors and soldiers in coming so promptly to the assistance of the firemen and rendering such a valuable services. He says Victoria is fortunate indeed and having such a brave and willing body of men at hand ready to help in such emergencies.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
There were numerous criticisms directed against the supply of water, the general impression being that it was woefully inadequate, and that the Colonist yesterday evening asked Water Commissioner Raymur for a statement regarding the condition of the service during the progress of the fire.
Mister Raymer said that as soon as the serious nature of the outbreak was reported everything was opened wide at Elk Lake, the main pumping plant pushed to its limit, the Yates Street pump, which supplies the higher levels, shutdown, and all the valves opened so that the supply would run from the higher levels.
This had the effect of giving a great pressure at the burning district, and that water was not available at Upper Princess Avenue was due to the fact that 12 streams were running in all the engines pumping at the Albion Iron Works. Naturally, said Mister Raymer, all the water was sucked to one point, namely the Albion Iron Works, and as soon as the engines ceased working at that point water was in abundance higher up the street. It must be remembered also, that every private hose in the district was also in use, and that the fire occurred at a time when lawn sprinkling was going on all over the city. In the opinion of many, however, the fire demonstrates the urgent need of a new main.
MAYOR BERNARD ACTIVE.
His Worship Mayor Bernard and Alderman Oddy visited the scene of the fire last evening and made inquiries respecting the necessity of the aid being rendered by the city to provide shelter and other assistance for the unfortunates who lost their homes. He found that most of those who had been burned out had, with the assistance of friends, made arrangements for the night, and were busily removing their goods and chattels to temporary quarters. The Mayor was desirous of doing everything possible to relieve pressing distress, but from personal investigation did not think the situation warranted any immediate elaborate program of succor. He will, however, this morning make the fullest inquiries and be prepared to deal promptly with cases which require relief.
THE SAILORS AND SOLDIERS.
Very shortly after the spread of the fire to the residences above Douglas Street, a company of Marines and blue jackets, under Lieutenant Mares, arrived on the scene. Captain Parry, R. N., also was there. The “handy men” went right to the root of the trouble immediately on their arrival, and did some good work in extinguishing the fires which had started in the grass of Finlayson’s field adjoining Queens Avenue, where a lot of furniture was piled. Later the party went into the thick of the fire in Princess Avenue, and by laying low one of the houses there stayed the spread of the flames which otherwise would have spread to the houses fronting on Pembroke Street. Their work was very much appreciated, and when they left the crowd gave them a great send-off. The men, it may be mentioned, did most of the distance at the “double” and covered the ground in remarkably short time.
The soldiers also did very fine work in saving furniture and in other ways. The men came from Beacon Hill and Work Point barracks and arrived on the scene in an incredibly short time, running most of the way. Those from Beacon Hill were under the command of Major Bland. When the fire was at its worst in Princess Avenue, the “Tommies” rushed into the heat and smoke and rescued the furniture and belongings of the unlucky residents whose houses were aflame on both sides of the narrow street. The men’s uniforms suffered considerably in this work, but they will not be allowed to suffer any loss thereby, judging from the remark of Mayor Bernard when the matter was mentioned to him by the Colonist last night.
FIREMEN INJURED.
A serious accident occurred on Pembroke Street while the fire of the Work estate was at its height. The team attached to the Victoria West Fire Department wagon driven by Joe Wachter, became unmanageable and bolted. The horses careered along the street and knocked over several of the crowd who were unable to get out of the way in time. None of these were much hurt, so far as could be learned, but the driver was less fortunate. He was hurled from his seat with considerable violence and dragged along the ground. He was taken to ex-Alderman Baker’s house and attended to by Doctor Herman Robertson. The patrol wagon took him home shortly afterwards. Wachter has both legs broken and is very badly bruised and cut.
Thomas W. Clayton, of No. 2 Fire Hall, was also injured by falling from the roof of Mister McCandless’ house. He had his knee cap put out of joint and some severe cuts.
A HEAVY LOSER.
Probably the largest individual suffer from the fire is Alderman John Kinsman, who lost a number of residences, totaling in value $9000, and none of them were insured. They were situated in the block bounded by Douglas, Pembroke, Blanchard Street and Queens Avenue.
Richard Hall, M.P.P., Mister Kinsman’s son-in-law, is of the opinion that the loss in the area east of Government Street was about $60,000, partially covered by insurance. In the block bounded by Douglas, Pembroke, Blanchard and Queens Avenue there were probably 22 buildings. Mister Hall figures that about 35 buildings, all told, were destroyed, not figuring in the losses south of Government Street.
WIND AIDED FLAMES
A strong breeze blowing from the west, which afterwards changed to the southwest, had the effect of almost immediately placing the fire beyond the control of the Department which at first centred all efforts to save the Albion Iron Works. It leapt at once to the property of the Shawnigan Lake Lumber Company, and almost simultaneously it was discovered that the late A.R. Milne’s residence on Queens Avenue, a couple of blocks away, was on fire. Embers were then cast in all directions, and soon the area bounded by Douglas, Queens Avenue, Blanchard and Princess Avenue was a mass of flames. The wind shifted a couple of times and spectators thought that the residences south of the burning district were doomed, but this concern soon gave away to the conviction that Blanchard Street would save the situation, and it did. The wind-driven flames found no further mood in their path at this point, and the efforts of the workers were then confined to the task of preventing the spread of the fire southerly.
DRAY MEN WERE BUSY.
The dray men and express men were the busiest people at the fire. It was fortunate that the fire started at a time when the horses were hitched up otherwise a great delay would have resulted in getting to the scene. As it was the first alarm brought every available wagon to the work of removing furniture and household goods, and the scene was one of great excitement and activity. There was no lack of willing hands to assist the frantic dwellers in the ill-fated district and hundreds of leading citizens could be seen with their coats off dragging out goods and loading them into wagons, which immediately dashed off either uptown or to the Blanchard Street and Finlayson Fields. Thousands of dollars of household goods were soon piled up at these points and the duties of the police were added to give the property adequate protection. Few thefts were reported, the thieves, if there were any so victimized, being this part of their prey owing to the prevalence of daylight and the watchful crowds.
WILLING ASSISTANTS.
When it was seen that the houses on Pembroke Street were likely to be utterly destroyed, a rush was made to this district and willing helpers assisted the residents to remove their property into the road, where it was temporarily deposited. The scene was a curious one. A row of houses fiercely blazing roofs, people hurrying in and rushing out loaded down with furniture of all descriptions, chairs, carpets, crockery, stores, anything and everything was seized and hurriedly placed by the sidewalks. Then, when the other two streets began to blaze, there was another rush in the same scene was acted over again, with additions. The gallant blue jackets and Tommies arrived and did magnificent work. A great deal of furniture was saved which otherwise would have been a total loss, as the united services worked in their well-known vigorous style and with perfect discipline.
THE SUFFERERS.
Princess Avenue.
On the northeast corner of Princess Avenue and Douglas Street there stood a good sized house with large barn in rear and good out houses. The buildings were tenanted by Mrs. Louise Sheppard and William Hutchinson. They were about the first premises to be attacked by the sparks carried from the burning blocks opposite the spice mill on Pembroke Street. A desperate attempt was made to save the house, but without effect. The buildings were valued at $2000, and all that remains of them is the fence which runs on Douglas Street.
Round the corner, on Princess Avenue (No. 38), was a one story cottage occupied by John Bennett, which, with the large barns in the rear, soon disappeared in flames. The premises were valued at $1400 and burned up so quickly that it was with difficulty that anything was saved. There was great commotion in the chicken coop there, many birds emerging from the yards in flames.
The next two houses shared a like fate. They were old buildings and were soon swallowed up. Loss about $500. But their burning carried the blaze along to No. 48, in which Charles Tite, a painter, lived. It was a large, one story cottage and uninsured.
Andrew Patterson lived in the next cottage, which went up simultaneously. It was a building valued at a few hundred dollars.
John Campbell’s cottage came next, and went like the others in the row, in which George Hams and a widow named Bennett.
Richard Cole occupied No. 60 in the role, and had a very narrow call as the fire was now eating up all in its way ravenously. He managed to save some of his household effects.
No. 62 was a two-story house in which lived William Scott. The premises were, as far as can be learned uninsured, and a great deal of their contents were destroyed in the hurried removal. The house was valued at $2000
No. 68 was a frame cottage, the home of Thomas Cashmore, and it did not last many minutes.
Nos. 70-72 was a double, two-story house owned by Mister John Kinsman and occupied by Alan S. Ashwell. It was insured for $1500. In the other lived John G. Kinsman, and it was not insured. At this stage the Royal Engineers and Navy were working in this immediate district, but despite their heroic efforts all was lost but that part of the furniture which there was time to remove. The heat was intense and a strong wind blowing, there was no hope for the few houses which still stood. About $3000 would be the value of the buildings.
Nos 74-76, two-story semidetached houses, valued at $3000 were burned to the ground in short order. They were occupied by Robert A. Dewar and George W Fuggle, and belong to Mister John Kinsman, who was also the owner of No. 78, a one story cottage that quickly disappeared. A couple of vacant lots intervene, and then came a wooden barn, in which was stored a quantity of hay and straw. The grass fire which had started in the vacant space was eating its way to this old building when a lot of the Royal Engineers proceeded to pull it down and succeeded in doing so before the flames reached it. However, the fire had now gone the full length of the avenue and could spread no further, as there is a big vacant space known as Finlayson’s field. The ground was strewn with the most miscellaneous collection of household effects that one could conceive from a kitchen stove to an oil painting. There was the constant. Of the grass and bush taking fire and carrying destruction with it, but a score or 2 of volunteers kept the fire under as soon as it made an appearance on the ground. Then wagons were summoned and, as fast as possible, the goods and chattels were removed to places of safety.
On the southeast corner of Douglas Street stood a brick building, semi-detached with shingle roof. It belongs to the Finlayson estate and was occupied by William Hutchinson it is one of the few buildings that escaped destruction. Perhaps a couple of hundred dollars will repair the damage, which was confined to the roof.
James R Frazer lived in the house adjoining (No.39), and it went up in flames and no insurance to cover the loss. Part of the furniture was saved. The house was valued for about $400.
George Hampden occupied No 41, a one story cottage, which was a total loss; value, about $500.
From No. 43 to No. 55 was a row of cottages, valued at about $500 each, and occupied by Miss Lena Swanson, Edward Coleman, Mrs. Burton, WC Wilson and Stanley Baker. They were all consumed. They ran up almost to Mister John Kinsman’s house, which was saved only by reason of the fact that a couple of buildings intervening had been pulled down. This checked the progress of the fire. The firemen had been working for an hour or so under great disadvantage, the water pressure being almost nil, but nevertheless their exertions were not without good effect.
QUEENS AVENUE.
Queens Avenue was attacked from the rear of Princess Avenue, about the 1st house to take the flames being that of ex-Mayor McCandless, No. 9. Once the flames touched the roof it was evident that the house was doomed, as the wind was blowing hard and carrying showers of burning embers. No time was lost in getting out as much of the furniture as possible. The house, valued at $5000, is a total loss. There was no attempt made to bring any water to bear on the building in fact there was no water available.
The next house was occupied by Mister George McCandless. It was a two-story building, valued at $2500, and was quickly burned up, the greater portion of the furniture being removed. There was some insurance
No. 11 was occupied by Thomas L Toy, a butcher employed at Porter and Sons. The fire made small work of the house but most of the furniture was saved. The house was valued at $2000 and carried some insurance.
No. 18 was occupied by the widow of the late A.R. Milne. It was a two-story building, valued at $4000 or $4500, and was a total loss, except the furniture. Curiously enough, Mrs. Milne was about to move out yesterday. Some insurance is carried.
No. 21 was occupied by Jason O Turnbull, and was a two-story house and somewhat isolated, be in 60 feet from the Milne residence. It was a $3000 building and some small insurance was carried.
No 23 was tenanted by Captain George Caven, and did not stand many minutes after the roof began to blaze. Some of the household effects were saved. Not less than $1800 went up in smoke in this instance.
There are a couple of vacant lots here but even this did not have the effect of checking the progress of the flames. The fiery tongue was soon lapping up the home of Alexander Anderson, No. 37, and made short work of it. By the time the fire got there most of the household effects had been removed.
The next attacked was that a large old residence of Mister W.H. Finlayson. There is a fine hydrant in front of this building, which stood 100 feet from the roadway, but the hydrant might as well have been 5 miles away for all the good it was in this emergency. The house was valued at $2500 and was insured for a small sum.
While the flames were threatening or raging in the vicinity, the unhappy dwellers busied themselves in removing furniture, and in this good work there was willing to help rendered by hundreds of spectators. At the start the furniture was deposited at the south side of the fence facing the avenue enclosing several acres of pasture. Soon, however, the sparks began to set the grass ablaze, and for a time all that had been removed for safety, and with much difficulty, was again in imminent danger. At this stage a lot of the Royal Engineers and blue jackets appeared on the scene and did good service and checking the grass fires and re-saving the household effects. Seeing that there was still danger, every available express and wagon was called into requisition and a lot of valuables removed.
DOUGLAS STREET.
Five one story cottages on Douglas Street, between Princess Avenue and Pembroke Street, fell in succession before the flames, but curiously enough the fire ceased its ravages here. The only buildings left standing in the block bounded by Douglas and Blanchard, Princess and Queens Avenues, are the Leyland House and that of Bird, shoemaker.
PEMBROKE STREET.
On Pembroke Street, opposite the spice mill, four houses went up in flames. They belong to the late Captain Clare, by whom they were deeded to the Sisters of Charity. They were not insured. Four cabins in the rear were also burned down.
INSURANCE.
There was but little insurance on any of the buildings destroyed except, indeed, the Albion Iron Works, which carried $75,000. The loss to the Shawnigan Lake Lumbar Company will not exceed $700. There were small amounts carried on a few of the private residences, and in some instances the furniture was insured. Losses are about $100,000, and these fall heavily on the poor families who were burned out. Mister John Kinsman loses heavily, having five houses destroyed, and not one of which there was a policy. The Milne property was insured for $6000.
SCENE OF DESOLATION.
The fire wasn’t the one topic of conversation last evening, and Douglas Street was thronged with pedestrians on their way to view the ruins. Pembroke, Princess and Queens Avenue, three streets which had a number of fine residences, as well as a great many small cottages, where the victims. The damage on Pembroke Street was not so great as on the other two. The blocks from Douglas to Blanchard streets, on both Princess and Queens Avenues, were practically swept clean.
The streets last night were packed with curious sightseers, who picked their way over the burned woodwork which lined the road. The fire was smouldering and the light from it, together with the slowly ascending smoke, made a weird illumination. The principal thing that struck the one was the number of chimneys on either side of Princess and Pembroke Avenues for nearly a block, nearly all the houses were completely destroyed and the only things remaining which showed that residences had been there where the chimneys, which lined the sides of the road and furnished a guide to the burned district.
WATCHING THE FIRE.
A dozen firemen remained at the burned-out district all last night with streams of hose. The district was thoroughly watched, and every precaution taken to prevent the fire starting up again. The firemen had a very hard day yesterday, and the citizens owe them a debt of gratitude for the gallant manner which they fought one of the most dangerous conflagrations which has ever attacked Victoria.
GOOD POLICE SERVICE.
When the police fire alarm was rung in yesterday afternoon, a squad left for the Albion Iron Works in the patrol wagon. As soon as the fire became serious, Acting Chief Hawton had 14 special police sworn in with instructions to assist in every possible way.
Every man on the force turned out and the district was well guarded. The police had no trouble, for as Acting Sergeant Carson put it, “there were plenty of willing helpers,” and those who did not feel inclined to help, kindly kept out of the way.
A SPECTATOR’S VIEWS. (By an Outsider).
Did I see the fire? I should say I did. I was not among the first to reach the scene of what was probably one of the most serious conflagrations Victoria has experienced, but was in time to see the tallest of the Albion Iron Works’ buildings blazing fiercely, and the lumberyard and works of the Shawnigan Lake Lumber Company apparently doomed. But my attention was quickly attracted by burning houses 2 or 3 blocks away, so I hastened to see if I could join a volunteer salvage corps and help to save some of the household belongings of the people whose homes I at once saw could not be saved, since there was no water available to prevent the fire from spreading. It was pitiable to see house after house catching fire, but since there was no means of preventing this, all 50 or more willing helpers could do was to try to save the contents of the houses. As I hurried up the street I saw a sick woman being carried out of one of the threatened houses and placed in a buggy for removal to a place of safety. Later I heard that she had only that morning been confined if so, hers must have indeed been a trying experience.
Of course, the customary excited fool was at work and more than one of his kind among the many who were bundling household furniture and goods into the streets. One near me seized some curtains and pulled hard they were torn into tatters, yet he had the satisfaction of having saved them from being burned. Others dumped pictures, and glass and china ornaments, hurriedly down upon the roadway, heedless of the wreck they made of them, and rushing off to “save” more things; but in the main men worked sensibly and effectively. For a time they succeeded in keeping separated what had been removed from the respective homes, but when it became evident that everything would most likely take fire if left in the street opposite the houses from which the furniture, etc., had been taken, there was nothing for it but to carry all to an open field, 150 to 200 yards away. Then came trouble, for those household belongings were badly mixed. 3 hours later I revisited the scene of my late afternoon labours, and by this time nearly everything had been taken away. We meant well, good people, and it was our misfortune rather than our fault that we gave you so much trouble to sort up your several belongings afterwards. After all, it was better so then that they should have been left where they were and be destroyed by the fire that burned until everything within reach had been consumed.
There were exciting scenes when the “regulars” arrived to render such assistance as was in their power. 1st came the Royal Garrison Artillery men from Work Point; next came the Royal Engineers, and after them the naval men also from Esquimalt. Chief Watson directed them to make a gap in the track of the fire that was steadily working its way up Princess Avenue, and they worked with a will. Assisted by many civilians, 2 or 3 houses were razed to the grounds, removing immediate danger. By this time the brigade was on the spot with water to extinguish the fire burning the house on the lower side of the gap. Then there was little left to do but for the firemen to keep the water playing on the burning debris of nearly a score of buildings that had been destroyed by the fire.
There were so many willing helpers that it would not be practical to mention them all, even where their names known, but there were several well-dressed young men whose good hearts prompted them to think most of the people in trouble and least of the risk they ran of spoiling the good summer clothes they wore. Then there were 2 Parsons, if they will forgive the use of the word. One was Reverend J.P. Hicks, who was among the busiest in removing goods from one or more of the cottages destroyed; and another was stated to be a Church of England clergyman, whose name did not transpire.
There were some pathetic scenes among the people rendered homeless so suddenly. One good woman confided to me that she could have saved all her knickknacks, but her girls said no, sure that the fire would not reach them, and then the roof of their home burst into flames and everything was confusion. Near her stood her husband, rather stupefied by the shock. Presently both tenderly embraced and kissed a girl of 8 or 9 years of age, whose cheeks were still wet with tears and see who seemed half reluctant to accompany a good friend who had offered to take the child to her home for the night. Old folks and young folks were both to be seen gathering together what they could of their belongings and piling them on express wagons, to be taken to some place of safety for the night, or until new homes could be found. Said one woman, her eyes brimming with tears; “And only this morning we were also happy in our home, and now it is gone.” Yes, there were many sad hearts among the homeless ones. Yet it is pleasing to reflect that all were provided for and that there was, nor will be, no suffering, such as all too often follows fires in big cities and severe climates.
Looking at the wreck of the Albion Iron Works and the nearby lumberyard, the latter so little damaged in comparison to what might have been expected with such a fierce blaze and high wind, one cannot refrain from paying the firemen a tribute of praise for keeping the destruction within the much narrower limits than seemed possible shortly after a fire broke out. They were powerless to prevent the burning of the many houses that were in the track of the stream of burning cinders carried by the wind for several hundreds of yards, and dropped on one highly inflammable shingle roof after another. The surprise is, not that a score or more of houses were burned, but that a very much more serious conflagration was averted.
SOME NOTES.
The run of the gallant blue jackets from Esquimalt to the scene of the fire, a distance of 5 miles, encumbered as they were with axis, choppers and the grappling apparatus, was the best feet of endurance of the day. How many of Victoria’s young men, who pride themselves on their athletic abilities could duplicate this feat.
Mister Alan S Ashwell of 70 Princess Avenue, who was burned out yesterday, wishes to heartily thank the soldiers and sailors and the friends who assisted him in fighting the flames and enabled him to save his furniture.
Two chinamen were arrested and taken to the police station for acting in a suspicious manner at the scene of the fire. They were suspected of stealing property and hiding, but as there is no evidence against them they will probably be discharged.
The police have a pocketbook, which was found on Douglas Street last night, containing 2 steamboat tickets. The owner can have the same by calling at the police station.
There were 4 Chinese laundry houses on Pembroke Street, and curiously enough they all escaped. Two were untouched by the fire and the others were almost as fortunate, the outhouses in their rear been but slightly burned.
One of the most noticeable things in the connection with yesterday’s pick blaze was the intense heat which the strong wind fanned right across the streets. People walking on the opposite side to some of the burning houses could scarcely bear the heat, and caps and hats were held in front of their faces as they dashed past the burning area.
Captain Hicks, a resident of James Bay, own three houses, 21 Princess Avenue and one on Pembroke Street. The two former were destroyed but the latter was an injured..