Conflagration at Chelsea.
On Sunday, April 12, at about 10:30 a. m., an apparently insignificant fire that, started by boys among rags on a dump in Chelsea, Mass., was fanned by a northwest gale blowing at 45 miles an hour into a conflagration which wiped out nearly one-third of the city, which is chiefly wooden, although brick buildings went up as quickly as the frame. More than 1 sq. mile of territory was burned over. Twenty business blocks, nearly as many factories and between 400 and 500 tenement and other dwellinghouses were destroyed. Thirteen churches, two hospitals, the public library, the city hall, all shared the same fate. At least 10,000 persons have been rendered homeless. The shipping was saved, although with great difficulty, as the tide was so low. The city solicitor estimated the loss at nearly $10,000,000. Boston and some twelve other neighboring cities and towns sent men and apparatus to help Chief H. A. Spencer, whose force was totally inadequate to cope with such a conflagration. His central station was among the buildings destroyed. Boston would have sent more help, if a twoalarm fire had not broken out there. Four alarms were turned in on its circuit and half the department with apparatus was sent across the harbor. Three Boston engines had to be abandoned in Chelsea; one was destroyed when the oil tanks of the Tidewater Oil company blew up on the waterfront. The East Boston plant of the Standard Oil company was for some time threatened, but was saved. The fire was very erratic in its course, and. when the firemen were massed in the centre of the city, half a mile of the residential district was in flames, with none to help. After hours of fighting the fire was got under control, although the sparks and burning embers were still being carried great distances by the fierce wind and kept the firemen perpetually on the jump. The streets over which the flames swept included Carter, Maple, Spruce, Arlington, Ash, Walnut, Poplar, Chestnut and Cherry to Broad way. From Broadway the tire spread to Bellingham hill From Summer street the fire cut another pathway, running diagonally across Third street, Everett avenue and Fourth street to Bellingham street. The flames reached Jlrpadway, the principal street of the city, at a ppifit between Third and Fifth streets, and desj the Masonic hall, Odd Fellows’ hall and Bennett block.