Hyder Weekly Herald

DOUGLAS, TREADWELL
ARE SWEPT BY FIRE

Part of the town of Douglas, including the Indian village, and all of Treadwell were swept away October 10 in what is described by the Juneau papers as one of the most disastrous catastrophes that ever overtook an Alaskan town.

The entire eastern part of Douglas and the Indian section were laid in ruins. Thirty-eight residences occupied by whites in Douglas and Treadwell were destroyed and forty-two Indian families, totaling about 125 persons, were left homeless by the conflagration. A considerable number of whites also lost all of their possessions. The property loss was estimated at $200,000.

Few of the white residents of the destroyed portion of Douglas saved either household or personal effects, while many lost up to $1500 in money. The Indians were left practically destitute, having had time to save only their bedding and the clothes on their back.

Starting about 8 a.m. from sparks falling upon an abandoned house in the Indian village, the fire raged throughout the day, fanned by a wind, which at times reached a velocity of 50 miles per hour. The fire spread with amazing rapidity despite the fact that several lines of hose were pouring sea water on the flames. Fires started by flying embers speedily developed within a radius of two blocks of the main conflagration and rendered the situation still more difficult for the hard pressed firemen. The Juneau fire department was called upon for assistance but was busy answering local alarms and could not respond. A few men and a quantity of extra hose were sent to the stricken towns by Mayor J. J. Connors and the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Unalga gave invaluable assistance in subduing the flames. About 11 a. m. the wind, which had been blowing from the east and driving the fire toward the main section of Douglas, suddenly veered to the opposite direction and carried the flames toward Treadwell, which was soon ablaze and doomed to almost complete destruction. After burning almost unchecked throughout the day the flames were brought under control late in the evening and finally were extinguished.

The homeless Indians were given shelter in the Natatorium building, one of the few buildings in the burned area escaping destruction, where they were cared for by the Juneau Red Cross. The whites who lost their homes were either given shelter by friends or moved into new locations. Although a number of persons had narrow escapes, no serious injuries were reported.

Everything went at Treadwell and only six residences and the Duncan house remain between the unburned section of Douglas and the cave-in.