New Orleans, Louisiana Fire
August 30, 1908
BIG FIRE IN NEW ORLEANS.
Loss Estimated Between One and Two Million
Dollars.
NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 30 – Fire which broke out
in the center of the commercial district this
afternoon swept over portions of the three
blocks, destroying a large number of wholesale
houses, manufacturing plants and small stores.
Originating at Bienville and Chartres streets,
the flames worked their way north as far as Oony
street and west towards Royal, causing a loss of
between one and two million dollars before they
were finally subdued.
At the time the alarm was turned in, shortly
before 3 o’clock, the New Orlearns [sic] firemen
were in the midst of their annual picnic at a
suburban park and the engines and patrols
responded with a mere handful of men. It was
nearly an hour before the department was able to
make anything like a successful fight against
the fire, and the horror was added to by an
insufficient supply of water.
The fire was one of the most spectacular that
has occurred in New Orleans during recent years.
Two warehouses filled with wines and liquors
were among the buildings destroyed. Barrels of
whiskey and brandy exploded with thunderous
roars, which could be heard for blocks and which
shook the walls of adjoining buildings and
endangered the lives of the firemen engaged in
fighting the flames.
It was not until several hours had clapsed
[sic] that the fire was gotten under control,
and even then it continued to burn well into the
night.
The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, NE 31
Aug 1908
Transcribed by
Jenni Lanham. Thank you,
Jenni!
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