THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT DESTROYED.

West Coast Times, 7 February 1916, Page 2

THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT DESTROYED.

BURNT TO A SKELETON. INCENDI AH ISM SUSPECTED, MANY NARROW ESCAPES.

(By Telegraph.—Per Press Association)

OTTAWA, Fehnrary, 4th

Parliament buildings was destroyed by lire following an explosion. The outbreak is believed to he of incendiary

origin

Six lives were lost, four when a wall collapsed. Two women who were the guests of tho Speaker, were trapped in their apartment. Several members wives and the Speaker had to jump into nets.

The House was in Session, and mem tars had difficulty in escaping. Several were burned and others cut by fall

on glass. Mr liarroll was caught in liis room and Ids llosh hurfied <df doth (-hooks. HA is suffering from shook. Ho statos that ho is snro the affair was of inoon diary origin. Mo thinks a cliondoaf was nsod. Tho Montreal fire apparatus was load od on a special train and brought to the scone. Several members were carried Out nearly suffocated. 'lhe military were called out and placed a cordon around tile area to keep the crowd hack.

The library eoiitaihing many valuable (treasures was endangered. The lire started in the reading-room and the left galleries, and in three minutes tho roof of the House of Common fell in flames, which ale up the State Chamber and the Tower. Sir I?. 1., liorden announces that (he House will assemble to-morrow after-

Two members made their escape from the second stony by lying towels together. One hurt his leg while falling. Only the skeleton of the building is left. Tho Providence (Rhode Island),Tonrnal announces that three weeks ago they notilied the Canadian Govermuen of a plot, planned at the German Embassy at Washington, whereby the Canadian Parliament, the Duke of Connaught’s residence, and Ontario munition plants would he destroyed. William Loggie member for New Brunswick, is among the missing. The dead inclndi Madame Morin, Madame Bray, two visitors from Quebec, a waiter, two policemen, and a plumber. / The tiro is now under control.

HOW THE HIKE ORIGINATED

MANY CONEI/TCTING STATEMENTS

MADE. AN INQUIRY TO RE HELD

ANOTHER MEMBER OF THF HOUSE MISSING.

(Received, 9.10 p.m.. Feb. sth)

| OTTAWA. February •(. I Conflicting statements are made regarding the supposed of the lire.

Several members of Parliament and policemen assort that they heard explosions; while others declare that it was merely a pile of papers in the rending room which ignited. An investigation has been ordered.

E. B. Law, a member of Parliament; for No via Scotia, Is missing, and is believed to be dead. Loggia i s safe.

Hon. R. L. Borden and Sir Wilfred Lanrier addressed the House, which met in the Victoria Museum, alluding to the sad feature of the fire, and announced that an immediate investigation would he held.

The library was saved through the firemen’s efforts.