From THE"NonrH-CHINA Dairy News," or May 1, 1878
Shortly after 11 p.m, Wednesday, the bells at the different police stations sounded the alarm of fire in the French Concession. No reflection of the flames was visible, but from the crowds making their way to the place, there was no mistaking the locality; and before the alarm belis had ceased clanging the Rue clu Cbnsulat was well-nigh impassable, The fire had Originated in the back premises of a native cotton dealer's shop, near. the junction of the Rue de la Paix with the Rue clu Consular. The engine belonging to the french Gas Works was the first to arrive and found a room. packed with cotton, all ablaze. Other engines came up, and the flames were soon subdued, but it was some considerable time before the fire in the Cotton was extinguished, The room in which the flames broke out was gutted, and the adjoining property damaged. But for the timely arrival of the engines great destruction of property Would have taken place, and mere than ihe ordinary need of praise is due to ihe amateur firemen for turning out so promptly and in such large numbers, Considering that it was a race holiday.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.