A terrible fire which it is feared may have cost a number of lives and involving some 70 houses, broke out on Tuesday evening in the densely populated quarter of Chepei near Markham Road Bridge.
The blaze devastated about four acres of for the most part poorly built coolie dwellings. The Chapei Fire Brigade were upon the scene shortly after the outbreak, but their services were of little avail. Owing to the flimsy nature of the houses, they were a raging furnace almost from the moment the fire started. It lasted about an hour.
As soon as the glow was reported' from the Sinza Watch Tower, Mr. J. G. Dyson, Deputy Chief Officer of the Shanghai Fire Brigade, went in a car to the spot, in, case-any further assistance might be required. The Chapei firemen having been successful in preventing the flames spreading over a larger area, the services of the Shanghai Brigade were not called upon.
Dr. J.B. Fearn, Superintendent of the General Hospital, has gone to Peking, where he expects to stay" for about a month.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.