FIRE IN SALONIKA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17092, 25 August 1917, Page 7

FIRE IN SALONIKA

A TRAGIC SIGHT. ALLIES HELPING DESTITUTE. Reutcr's Telegrams. PARfS, August S3. _ The Salonika fire was an awe-inspiring sight, an avenue of flame a mile wide devouring everything in its course. The entire business quarter and the seafrontwere destroyed, with enormous loss. The insurance companies' estimates are between £2,000,000 and £3,000,000. The allied military rendered the utmost assistance, though the scarcity of water was a tremendous drawback. Each allied army is providing for the destitute. The British alone are tending 30,000 people. While the fire was burning three enemy aeroplanes dropped bombs. i * . RAPID SPREAD OF FLAMES. ' REFUGEES TERROR-STRICKEN, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SALONIKA, August 24. (Received Aug. 25, at 1.10 a.m.) . A remarkable feature about the great fire is that it started in several places simultaneously, and fresh outbreaks instantly occurred as others were ta ed. Half of the city was blazing within two hours. Terrified refugees fled from quarter to quarter, vainly seeking safety as the flames spread. German aeroplane bombs increased their terror. When the refugees reached the sea front a holocaust seemed likely, but the British navy took off huddled and army motor lorries evacuated thousands by road. 'nrhfi cable news in this issue accredited to The | Times has appeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated ia such news the editorial l opinion of The Times/1