Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 April 1892 — MANDALAY IN RUINS. [ARTICLE]

MANDALAY IN RUINS.

Twenty-Five Thousand Families Homeless by a Great Fire. Between One and Two Hundred Per,on g Believed to Have Perished While Over 2,000 Are Suffering From Serious Injuries. Dispatches from Mandalay, the capital »f Burmah, received on the 31sr, says that fire has been raging there since the 29th. Three-fourths of the city has been laid in ashes, and the fire is not yet under control The whole business portion of the city has been swept away. The loss of life is between seventy-five and one hundred already, so far as known, and scores of per* sous have not been accounted for. No search has been made for bodies, as the people have been fleeing to the open country all day, trying to oave the household goods and escape the intense heat which envelopes the ruins. They are camping at a distance from the city, without food or shelter, and calls for help fo r them have been sent out by the authorities

The fire Is said to have been caused by the coals from a fire in a native’s house in the lower qulrter of the city. There is no provision against fire in the city, and tfyo people did not wait to fight it, but fled panic stricken before it The road to Amarapura is crowded with fugitives wh o will seek help in that city. The suffering will be Intense as the rest of the city wll| be destroyed before morning and about 85,000 families will be homeless. Chief Secretary Symes has appealed to tho English in Rangoon for aid. He telegraphs that thousands will die unless food a nd medicine for the injured are sent at obce. Several physicians left for the city lust night and food will be sent to-day, The residence of Sir Alexander McKenzie chief commissioner, was burned yesterday morning and two of their servants were mortally injured. The total number of - those severely burned is thought to be about2,soo. Rates'reports say that the loss of life was underestimated. It may reach 100, and perhap v more, although many now thought to be 1 dead man have been only missed in the confusion, dr may be on their way to near by villages in search of food and shelter. Senator Cullom has written a letter in which he states that he would esteem It a high honor to have the support of the Illinois delegation tn the national donvention. He has received many letters urging him to be a candidate, but declines. He thinks the majority of the people are for Harrison. ;