N. Kiangsu City ome Oot Owst Comesroxoesr Tsingkisngpu, June 8.
'A fire, said to have been' the most Gisastrous in the history of this city, [broke out about half-past one on) Wednesday afternoon and, fanned by a high wind, swept across the island in the middle of the Grand Canal and then to the North side of the canal. burning @ total of about 260 houses. So far as has been reported, there were no lives lost but the property Gamage runs into the tens of thousands of dollars with no insurance.
"About sunset the fire was brought control, but a few hours Tater, entirely different part of th city another fire broke out and des-{royed about fifteen homes. Tt is reported that the same day there were fires in Kalseo,-Lienshut, and Siyang, "As is usual, the fire played peculiar pranks, leaving a home here and there Untouched "and" leaping across to attack others. One tale is told of family which moved all belongings to.a friend's home only to have that home with their belongings burned while their home was unscathed.
Due to the high wind several hundred additional homes were evacuated of belongings and the fields to the East of the city were fled with people and their furniture Local officials are taking steps for relief, but the damage is so great that the relief measures are' totally inadequate. Clear, mild weather has Feduced suffering toa minimum,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.