100 YEARS AGO
Tuesday, April 11, 1911
A fire which started in a room on the third floor of the Mikado-ro at number 20, Nichome, Edomachi, Yoshiwara (in Tokyo), about 11 o'clock Sunday morning swept an area four miles long and a mile wide, consuming 6,676 houses and causing a property loss estimated at ¥8,690,000. Four persons are known to have lost their lives and 150, including two policemen, sustained injuries. The conflagration raged about eight hours, practically burning itself out at 7 o'clock on Sunday evening when it reached the Sumida River. Of the total property loss, only an estimated ¥548,000 was covered by insurance.
The principal buildings destroyed were the Yoshiwara police station, the fire station, three schools, two post offices, one rubber factory, one cotton mill, seven temples and two shrines. The number of people rendered homeless is estimated at 40,000, including 6,000 inmates of "The Nightless City." Many of those who were able to save anything from the flames scattered with their effects to find abodes wherever they might, while those who are helpless and without funds are being cared for by the Imperial Government and are housed in various temples, schools and public buildings throughout the city.