The Ottawa Fire.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 52, 7 February 1916, Page 5

The Ottawa Fire.

ORIGIN OF THE DISASTER Ottawa, February 4. Conflicting statements are mauo regarding the supposed origin of tbc lire. Several members of Parliament and policeman assert thai they heard t plosions, nut others declare that merely a pile ol papers in the reauingroom ignited. An investigation 11 a.? been ordered. Mr F. B. Law, Member of Parliament for Nova Scotia, is missing, and is believed to he dead. Mr Reggie is safe. Sir R, Borden and Sir William Laurier addressed the House, which met in the Victoria ‘Museum, and, olInding to the sad features of the fire.

announced that an immediate investigation would he held.

Tiie library was saved through the fir cm on’s efforts.

THROUGH FIRE AND SMOKE TO SAFETY. THEORIES OF THE OUTBREAK DISCUSSED. CONTENTS OF INESTIMABLE VALUE. (Received 8.5 a.m.) Ottawa, February 6. Some members whose escape "’as cut off j* the Parliament buildings joined hands and passed through the lire and smoke in safety, j By the time the fire brigade arrived. the central part of the building wag heard crashing to the gronvsJ, and the fire spread to the tower oh iho eastern side, enveloping the Stellate. A strong wind saved the Library and the Speaker’s Chamber, i Valuable paintings and costly furniture were destroyed. 1 'Die police guarded the doors of the building, and it must have been difficult for any one to deliberately lire the building without detection. A smouldering cigar might have been responsible for the outbreak, although smoking was prohibited in fne precincts of the Chambers. | The value of the main building was |'«fi3oo.ooo. The value of the contents | is inestimable. j ENGLISH PRESS COMMENT. ; f i SUGGESTION OF RE-ERECTION BY BRITAIN. (Received 9.10 a.m.) London, February 6. The Star suggests that Britain rebuild the Ottawa House of Pari lament’as a token of gratitude for Canada’s war services. The Observer suggests donations to co-operate in the matter.