The scene during the night was unforgettable. From a position on the heights above the city, Tokio looked like a huge cauldron of flames. Everything seemed to be on fire. A huge pall of smoke, which burned redder in the increasing darkness, drifted away from the city. Explosions were heard on every side. Little or no sleep was possible even for those removed from the fire area. We watched and feared the approaching flames. Every hour some one passed along crying: "Take care! The fire has reached such-and-such a street."
Great relief was felt when the fire broke down, and many made an early start for the city to ascertain the worst. There most appalling scenes of destruction and devastation greeted one's eyes. Practically the whole of Tokio's best and busiest sections, commercially, industrially and educationally, were in ruins, with the exception of many official departments and the huge pile of offices flanking the Central Station. There was mile after ~mile of smoking ruins and proud buildings reduced to a mass of twisted iron and shattered masonry. The streets were filled with crowds moving in both directions, those coming in in quest of friends, and those going out in search of refuge and a temporary home. Bicycles, cars, trailers and lorries added to the confusion. The sun beat down fiercely, and the heat and dust from the ruins were terrific. Luckily water was available in many places, otherwise the hardships would have been much increased. In the meantime, prompt measures for relief were taken, and food and water were rushed to the most stricken districts.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.