DISASTROUS FIRE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10566, 23 February 1912, Page 5

DISASTROUS FIRE

CABLE NEWS

(United Fresi Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

THOUSANDS HOMELESS

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF LIFE

TREMENDOUS DAMAGE

(Received February 22, 1.30 p.m.)

NEW YORK, February 21. The town of Houston, Texas, is in flames. The fire swept the eastern section of the town, destroying twentyfivo blocks. Thousands of people are homeless. Scores of big manufacturing plants havo been burned, and cotton valued at 2,000,000 dollars destroyed. Employees of the manufacturing houses sought to stay the march of the dames, but were helpless. Although tho conflagration reached such enormous dimensions, it is believed that not a single life has been lost. Thero wero many narrow escapes from the hotels wheal the alarm was raised.. RELIEF COMMITTEES AT WORK. LOSS ESTIMATED AT MILLION AND A HALF. FIRE CHECKED. (Received Last Night, 10.25 o'clock.) NEW YORK, February 22. Relief committee saa*e operating to relieve a thousand persons rendered homeless through the great fire at Houston. The loss is estimated to exceed £1,500,000. Tho fire originated in an untenanted house, and was fanned by a fierce gale. It spread rapidly in a southerly direction, and.it was only checked when it reached the stream known as Buffalo Bayon. The flames leaped the stream several times, ignit-. ing-the roofs of oil stores, but the firemen suppressed' the flames and prevented still greater damage.