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Ch. 10 3

saved the city from destruction. The plan on which the force worked was to control fires which menaced the city and to let isolated buildings, like the Cotton Factory, burn. The grounds of Wellington Barracks are bounded on the north by Russel St. and this marks the limit of the devastated area towards the south. Just in front of the Barracks, to the west, runs Gottingen St., and here across the way from the barrack gate, a grocer's shop took fire e.c. and was burned to the ground. Here it was that the fire-men rendered perhaps the most effective service in checking the spread of the flames, for all about were flimsy houses which would have burned like tinder on the slightest encouragement. Their hard work at this point kept the fire from spreading south.
When the unfortunate warning of a second explosion flew through the city, there were undoubtedly many who felt panic. Men were seen running south along Barrington St. with their eyes staring, and along Robie St. as if German bayonets were behind them. Motors sped south with refugees clinging to the footboards. The screeching horns helped to spread the alarm, but the panic did not affect the fireman. Thousands ran for the open spaces; but they stood fast. They would not leave their posts, thus saving the fire apparatus from certain destruction. So they wrought all day wet and cold, without food, or assistance, ignorant of their families' fate, till eight o'clock, when they had the situation under control. Late in the afternoon willing and plentiful aid came from Truro, Amherst, New Glasgow, and Spring Hill, but the essential work had been done. A number of the firemen were even engaged in giving aid to the injured. The firemen of Halifax