HUGE CONFLAGRATION

Northern Advocate, 23 March 1934, Page 7

HUGE CONFLAGRATION

CITY OF HAKODATE ALMOST WIPED OUT INCLUDING 20,000 HOMES. CASUALTIES TOTAL 500. (United Press Association—By Electric . Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) TOKIO, March 22. A* fire which burned all night, the 'flames being fanned by a heavy gale, destroyed 80 per, cent, of the city of Hakodate. Only the foreign consulates, which arc situated on the side of a hill, escaped. The headquarters of the police, the telephone exchange, and other muni-cipal'-buildings, as well as the entire business district and 20,000 homes, were burned. It is officially reported that more than 100,000 people are homeless and have taken refuge in the hills. The dead, dying, and injured number 500. The city’s communications are severed, and ships’ radios arc being used as substitutes. The latest news from Hakodate k that the flames are subsiding. Owing to , tjie intense cold, the fire brigades are useless. It was found impossible to despatch rescue vessels from Aomori because of the high wind. As a result of the destruction of buildings, the timber market in Osaka is soaring. HARLESS REFUGEES. BITTERLY COLD WEATHER. SUPPLIES RUSHED THROUGH. (Received 9 a.m.) TOKIO, March 22. The; lines of communication with Hakqdate have been partly restored. Homeless'refugees are, suffering from hunger and from the bitterly cold weather. ' The Army and Nayy are rushing food, blankets, and" medical supplies to the stricken population.

MAJOR CATASTROPHE. ONE THOUSAND. EXPIRE. TWICE. THAT NUMBER MISSING. '(Received 11.30 a.m.) ; TOKIO, March 22. The police estimate that those killed outright number 700, and that 300 later died from injuries. They reckon the missing total 2000. The. buildings. destroyed number 23.000. The amount of damage has not ypL been estimated,’ but approaches 300.000. yep, with the insurance at 30.000. Since the .1023 earthquake it is the norst catastrophe in Japan, except, perhaps, the earthquake a year ago in .'the . north-eastern prefectures. It is confirmed that the British and other consulates and residents are safe. Large quantities of tents and clothing have been entrained for Hakodate, and the authorities are preparing to ship building materials. Relief funds are being organised. Meanwhile 50,000 people have no shelter and are exposed to extreme cold and hunger. The origin of the fire has not been determined. The flames spread rapidly, fanned by a 65-mile-an-hour gale. It was the greatest of Hakodate’s 14 major fires since 1871. The Government will introduce a Bill in the Diet remitting 1,900,000 yen of Hakodate taxes, also estimating in the Budget for reconstruction. The Army is equipping skis ja n aeroplanes to ; enable landing in snow with medical and other urgent relief.