CANADIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS DESTROYED

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2688, 7 February 1916, Page 5

CANADIAN PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS DESTROYED

FIRE FOLLOWS AN EXPLOSION A MEMBER AND SEVERAL OTHERS INCINERATED By Telejranh—Press Asaoclatlon-Oopyriglil , Ottawa, February 4. The Parliament Buildings have been destroyed by tire, following an explo--61011. It is believed to be the work of an incendiary. Sis lives were lost, four when a wall collapsed, and two women guests of the Speaker, who were trapped in apartments. Several members and the. wife of the Speaker had to jump into nets. _ ' The House was in session, and members had difficulty in escaping. Several were burned, and ethers cut by falling glass. Mr. Burrell (Minister of Agriculture) was caught in his room, and had the flesh burnt off both cheeks. He is suffering from shock. He states that he is sure the fire was of incendiary origin, and thinks a chemical was used. The Montreal fire apparatus was loaded on a special, train and brought to the scene. ' Several members were carried out nearly suffocated. The military was called out, and placed a cordon to keep the crowd back. The library contained many. valuable treasures, and was endangered by the fire, which started in the reading-room in the left of the galleries. In three minutes the whole wing was filled with smoke. The roof of tho House of Commons fell in, and the flames ate up the big tower of the Senate Chamber. Tho Prime Minister (Sir Robert Borden) announced that the House would assemble to-morrow afternoon. • Two members made their escape from the second stery by tying towels together. One hurt his leg in falling. Only the skeleton of the building is feft. THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREVIOUSLY NOTIFIED OF THE PLOT. Ottawa, February 4. The "Providence (Rhode Island) Journal" publishes an announcement that three weeks ago it notified the Canadian Government of a plot, planned at the German Embassy in Washington, by which the Canadian' Parliament Ho.use, the: Duke of Connaught's residence at Ontario, and munition plants were to bo destroyed. Mr. William Loggie, member for New Brunswick, is missing. Tho dead include Madame Bray and Madame Morin, two visitors from Quebec, a waiter, two policemen, and a plumber. ; The fire is now under control. IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION TO BE HELD. Ottawa, February 4. Mr. E. B. Law, member of Parliament for Nova Scotia, is missing. He is believed to bo dead. Mr. Loggie is safe. Sir Robert,Borden and Sir Wilfred Laurier addressed the House, which met in the Victoria Museum. They alluded to the sad features of the fire, and announced that an immediate investigation would be held. The library was saved through the firemen's efforts. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS AS TO THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE, Ottawa, February 4. There are conflicting statements as to the supposed origin of the fire at the Parliament Buildings. Several members of Parliament and policemen assert that they heard explosions; others declare that merely a pile of papers in a reading-room became ignited. , An investigation has been ordered. UNPARDONABLE CRIME 'AGAINST CIVILISATION. Washington, February 4. Senator Thomas, Democrat, introduced in the American Senate a resolution denouncing the Ottawa fire as an act of ■ deliberately-planned incendiarism, and an unpardonable crime against civilisation. Other Senators asked that the deb ate should be delayed until an investigation has been held. ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A RAILWAY BRIDGE FRUSTRATED (Rec. February 6, 5.5 p.m.) Montreal, February 4. An attempt was made to blow up the Victoria Railway Bridge over the St. Lawrence. The guards fired at a man approaching on the icc. He escaped. EXPRESSIONS OF REGRET AND SYMPATHY FROM NEW ZEALAND. His Excellcncv the Governor has so nt the following telegram to FieldMarshal Ilis Royal Highness tho Duke of Comiaiight, Governor-General of Canada: — "Myself, my Government, and the people of Now Zealand desire to express our deep regret at the news of the loss .sustained by the Dominion of Canada in the destruction, by fire, of the Canadian House of Commons. We should- be grateful to Your Royal Highness if you would lie graciously pleased to give directions for our sympathy to be conveyed to the relatives of those who havo lost tlioi" lives, and to those who have been injured, (Signed)