CITY BLOCK DESTROYED.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 28, 10 March 1914, Page 7

CITY BLOCK DESTROYED.

BLAZE AT ST. LOUIS.

OVER A HUNDRED PERISH. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. NEW YORK, March 9. A fire at St. Louis practically de* stroyed the whole of a city block. Though every available fireman was on the scene shortly after the start, tfie fire got beyond control, and the block became a seething mass of flames. The roof of one building caved in, carrying down several floors., > Twenty out of 150 people who had rooms in the building are accounted for. The bodies of seven who jumped from the fourth floor were found in the street. -It is believed that over a hundred perished. v THRILLING DETAILS. SCENES OE HEROISM. (Received March 10, 11.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 9. Six men are known to be dead, and dozens have not been accounted for. Forty were injured. When the firemen arrived the flames were shooting out of the windows. Some men jumped to the pavements and others lowered themselves by their bedclothes. The fire-fighters were imperilled fre; quently by falling walls. A youthful telephone operator remained at his post, alarming the guests through bell calls. Many have acknowledged that he saved their lives, as otherwise they would have slept on. The boilers in the basements exploded, deluging the ruins vpith steam.