Hankow, Sept. 26, most disastrous fire broke out the native city early yesterday morning. Over 2,000 huts, houses and shops were gutted and the Chisen Maloo, one of the principal streets in the native city, was wiped out.
The exact number of casualties has not yet been ascertained. Seven bodies have so far been recovered. Tt is believed that many people Jumped into ponds to escape the Aames and were drowned as A consequence, The demolished shops include nine riesha companies, involving a loss of 700 vehicles.
It is stated that 7,000 people have been rendered homeless as a result of the conflagration.
The fire started in a. gambling den, and spread with tremendous rapidity owing to the congest State of he altd and the high wind prevailing at the time. Fire men brought the fire under control after four hours.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.