DESTRUCTION OF PERA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 695, 15 August 1870, Page 3

DESTRUCTION OF PERA.

Constantinople has been ravaged by another of those great fires which periodically 6 weep away its streets. This time the calamity has fallen upon Pera, the foreign quarterl The fire broke out on the night of the sth of June, and raged over a district a square mile in extent, some say, destroying 20,000 house*, and making an appalling holocaust of its inhabitants. More than 1000 dead bodies have since been recovered, but the number of persons missing is reported to be 2400. The amount of property destroyed exceeds fire millions sterling. The English and American residents are among the greatest sufferers. The British Embassy— a lordly palace, which had cost us £200,000, and was supposed to represent our western magnificence — was burnt down, and Sir H. Elliott has lost all personal effects. Lady Elliott was almost suffocated when she left the building. Many of the houses were inhabited by wealthy Armenians, who were out of town celebrating a fete day, and so escaped. The fire appears jto baye broken out at several points, and to have raged with a fierceness that nothing could resist. The Sultan rode to the scene of disaster, but could not approach near by reason of the showers of sparks and the heat. Barracks were prepared, and some 2000 tents erected for the burnt-oat families, to whom rations are daily served at the expense of the Government. Many most painful incidents are narrated. Whole families have been found locked in death in each other's arms. i ' . ■