CANADA ABLAZE.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 747, 1 November 1870, Page 4

CANADA ABLAZE.

A correspondent of the JNew York World, willing from Ottawa, miner date of August 18, gives the following account of the fires in that neighborhood, which destroyed 2,000,000d'»l worth of property and destroyed the homes of 2000 people: For Beveral weeks past intelligence has reached th^ city from time to time of the fearful fines that were raging in the woods, destroying fences, barns, and latterly, houses. Secure in the city, we only shrugged our shoulders, gave veut to a sympathising "Poor people in Ihe country," or a more demonstrative " 'Tis terrible." " The loss to the farmer must be immense," and straightway forgot all about the circumstance. But at lust came the terrible news that tlio whole country was on fire. From every quarter the fires steadily approached the city, until at night the red glare lighting up the heavens would tell of the terrible body of fire that was stalking

through thecountry, andin close proximity. Then it was the news came fast and fnrious of the residences of well-known persons living in the pretty suburbs being in danger, and the necessity for some steps, being taken, if possible, to stem the tide of fire. But extraordinary little attention was paid to the situation, and not a word was mooted as to a remedy until last evening, when the grand culminating point was reached, and Ottawa indeed experienced a fearful fright, which, to be appreciated, must be experienced. , All day the smoke had been getting very thick ; ii\ fact, at a certain period it was barely possible to see across tho City Hall Square. About four o'clock the terrible programme began by a fierce gale springing up from the southwest, and in less than an hour the city was enveloped iv a thick, blinding smoke, making it premature night of a dark yellow glare, and necessitating the use of gas all over the city. The gale increased lin fierceness. The tlust, lying on the streets three or four inches deep, and on which for months no rain had fallen of any consequence, was lifted in great bodies and hurled against windows with a seething sound, while it was impossible for a human being to stand, before it. Pedestrians who were on the streets, affrighted and bruised, turned their backs to the gale and ran before it or took shelter in tho stores. Into the city came the smoke, rolling anil tumbling in thick, dense, bitter, blinding clouds, and, mingling with the dust, was dashed about the city. Windows everywhere were closed, and outside the stores, offices and houses the inmates sat half suffocated and with streaming eyes. Then clouds of ashes began to come into the city, and the smoke got hotter and more blinding and soon it was known that the fierce gale had fanned the fires into frighful proportions, and at that moment were travelling through the country at the rate of five miles an hour. At a late hour it was learnt that a district of ten miles, in the township of Gloucester, was in a blaze. The consternation seized many, and, in dread, the nervous demanded again and again to be told, was there any danger of the flames getting into the city ? The scene in the city at eight o'clock was indescribable.^! The fierce gale was at its height, the dust and ashes hissed down the streets, while the smoke came rolling in, hot, yellow, and still more blinding. At eight o'clock not a soul was on the streets, nor had there been for an hour. It was impossible to make way against the storm without leaning for■wavd, as one would do to meet a hail or sleet storm. Offering the broad brim of a straw hat to the resistance of the gala, the dust and pebbles rattled fiercely against it ; and every now and then, as an unusually fierce squall would come up, there was no help but to face about and gasp until it was over. Proceeding on, signs creaked and swayed threateningly abont, the ashes flew past and eddied round the corners, while from the direction of Gloucester, where the ten mile fire was raging, the east end of the city was brilliantly lighted, notwithstanding the thick smoke. It was truly such a night as Ottawa had never experienced. In many cases citizens were dashed against fences or buildings when caught in sudden sqxialls. So nervous did many become at the terrible aspect of affairs that they sat up all night, finding plenty to do to get pure air to To the ladies the scene was very terrific, and the effects of the smoke was particularly painful. In the townships of Gloucester, Nepean, and Fitzr^y, the fires waved on before the fierce gale, devouring barnsy stables, an<\ houses, and eagerly seizing dn small copses or wood, whioh were instantly snapped up. In Gloucester, a wall of fire ten mile 3 long roared on, while in the township of Fitzroy a line of seven miles was in a blaze. The country people, terror-stricken, flew about from house to house, almost powerless from fear and exhausted from exertion. No sooner did they arrive at one place, and before they could tell their tale of suffering, they would be compelled to fly again, accompanied by the occupants of the house. " The aoar of the fire," said one .who had heard it, "was terrible." At an early hour people began to flock in, and at present ther.2 are a large number of suffering families in the city. ! A gentleman who came in from Bell's Corners about an hour ago says that, on the Richmond road there are two to three thousand people homeless, and without anj r sustenance but what they can pick up. Patriotic meetings have been held to alleviate the distress. The fires were burning in all directions on the 22nd.