A Blaze in Truckee

A BLAZE IN TRUCKEE.

The Chinese Quarter in Ashes and Two Highbinders Suffocated.

TRUCKEE, Cal., June 17.—A little after noon to-day a fire broke out about the central portion of Chinatown, on the opposite side of the river from Truckee, and nearly the whole of Chinatown, including the Joss-house, was destroyed, only one of the three fire proof buildings withstanding the flames. The wind was blowing a gale and the flames swept everything before them. Piles of ashes are all that indicate where Chinatown existed. Since the departure of the Chinamen many of the houses have been deserted, and as they were mere shells they succumbed readily.

The fire originated from an exposed stovepipe extending through the roof. A couple of Chinamen, whom their fellow-countrymen had refused food and lodging, went into a house to cook something and built a hot fire in the stove. It is supposed that the cobwebs hanging on the pipe and rafters in the attic were ignited. Once the house was on fire, despite the efforts of the fire department, all were consumed in less than one hour. It was only by persevering efforts that the bridge was saved.

Two highbinders who were confined in the cellar of the Tuck Chuck Tong by the Chinamen were suffocated. The firemen by great effort took the men out, and all possible means were used to resuscitate them, but without avail.

The Coroner’s jury, at a late hour to-night, has not yet concluded its deliberations. The Chinamen have been busy ever since the fire abated, with shovels, digging up their buried treasure. One heathen dug up $500 in gold coin and several other smaller amounts. The people managed to save some $500 worth of property from the burning building of one Chinese merchant.

F. A. Taft, the manager for M. E. Burkhalter, offered the burned-out Chinamen quarters at Clinton, where their mill is located.