REDUCED TO ASHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 194, 18 August 1890, Page 3

REDUCED TO ASHES.

LARGE PART OF PORT DE FRANCE BURNED. ~ 1,700 HOUSES DESTROYED. Port op Spain, July 10, — The details concerning the destruction bf the town of Porb de France, on the French island of Martinique, have just been received. Immediately , after the catastrophe Governor Casse, of Martinique, sent an appeal for assistance to the Governor of Trinidad, Sir William Robinson, assuring' him that threequarters of the town was burned, and more ; than 5,000 persons were without homes and food. Aid was at once sent. J The fire occurred on 22nd June. Steamers were sent from St. Pierre so help fight the fire, but arrived too late to be of much assistance. Seventeen hundred houses were destroyed, valued at $2,400,000, and the furniture, etc,, valued at 8600,000, making ia all $3,000,000. -;It is impossible at this moment to tell the number of victims. Twelve bodies have Been recovered. Many were charred beyond recognition; others were fearfully mutilated. / fifteen soldiers are receiving attention at the hospital. Many were seriously aud one fatally wounded. The number of civilians wounded is considerable. ■ i Fully three-quarters of the town is destroyed as regards area, and seven-eighths \ o| the inhabitants are homeless. Among tie public buildings destroyed are the •Boor-house, Cathedral, Custom-house, Town ■Hall/ Convent of Soeurs de St; Joseph, Ejureau dcs Revues, and the slaughterjhpuse. '.'■'.' I/The celebrated library was'also destroyed. Various British West India islands have pompbly aided with grants of money the Mlicted sister colony. • '