The Great Fire - 1913

Submitted by BBeaulieu on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 09:10

english setting The sun blazed each day in June. Heat and humidity hung with such permanence that no one could believe that the ocean lay only a quarter of a mile away. But on June 21st the breeze finally picked up and caught an ember at Blubber Hollow near the North River. The ember flew, up and over Federal and Chestnut Streets before landing, explosively on the corner of Lafayette and Front Streets. Up Lafayette, over Pope, along Congress the flames consumed homes, businesses, and factories. 

Salem would never be quite the same. The tanneries would leave the factories rebuilt.

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ggevalt's picture

Surprising...

Submitted by ggevalt on Fri, 07/16/2010 - 09:21.

...and really interesting. I am presuming that you are using historical material about a real fire. Is this, in fact, a photo of that fire, or did you use the photo as representative of a fire you know about?
I like your use of specific detail, of taking me to the very moment the fire began. This opening engaged me... I hope you get a chance to write more... and you can, if you'd like, later from your home.
Thanks for sharing and participating.
geoff