Transcribed from South Africa Magazine 31 October 1908

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT BLOEMFONTEIN

GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS BURNED

AN IRREVOCABLE CALAMITY

STRENUOUS FIGHT WITH THE FLAMES

FULL DETAILS OF THE CATASTROPHE

Calamity has once more overtaken the picturesque capital of the Orange River Colony. Nearly five years ago the lower part of Bloemfontein was devastated by a flood which caused the loss of twenty or more lives and the destruction of property valued at between £200,000 and £250,000, and rendered nearly 300 people homeless. Readers of South Africa will recollect the extended accounts of that disaster which were given in our issue of January 23, 1904, describing the terrific storm, and the bursting of the Brand Kop dam, which, in addition to the damage already referred to, wrecked three fine hotels and 173 other buildings. Happily in this latest calamity in the history of the city no life has been sacrificed or human injury sustained so far as we have learnt. Modern Bloemfontein is adorned with a number of handsome buildings, and now one of them—which will be well remembered because of the statue of President Brand which has been erected in front of it—has fallen a prey to the flames. The particulars, which have been received by cable, set forth briefly, though with unmistakable clearness, the destruction wrought by the disastrous fire. The first intimation of the calamity was received on Wednesday in a Reuter message from Bloemfontein, which said: “The Government buildings here are ablaze, and it is feared that they are doomed. A pall of smoke hangs over the town.” A telegram giving more detailed information was received soon afterwards. It ran: “The fine pile of buildings in which the Government offices are situated is practically gutted. The fire was caused by the fusing of an electric wire in an attic in the western portion. The fire broke out at four o’clock this afternoon when the electricians were actually searching for the leak in the current which caused the fire. The flames, fanned by a strong westerly wind, spread rapidly to the upper floors and roofs of the right and left wings, and it was soon seen that there was very little hope of saving any of the buildings. The fire brigade, however, although greatly handicapped by the lack of steamers, did its utmost, and obtained a supply of water by attaching lengths of hose to the town hydrants. In response to telephone messages, hundreds of officers and soldiers arrived from the Tempe cantonments, and performed much good work, particularly in salving. Only a portion of the ground floor was partially saved. Among the portions of the buildings which sustained most damage were those occupied by the Departments of the Treasury, Education, the Attorney-General, the Surveyor-General, the Colonial Secretary, the Minister of Agriculture, the Customs, and the Registrar of Deeds, the High Court offices, and part of the Public Works Department, and various subsidiary sections. It is believed that six strong rooms in various departments have not been seriously damaged, and that the contents are safe, but, apart from the papers contained in them, it is feared that most of the documents in the buildings were destroyed, in spite of the efforts that were made to save them.”

INSURANCE VALUES AND ESTIMATED LOSS

The greater and finer portion of the buildings erected by the Crown Colony Administration, together with the part erected by the old Free State, was valued at £80,000, and was insured for £75,000 with 16 companies registered in the Colony, while the furniture and contents were insured for £10,000 more. The estimates of the total losses, however, range as high as £100,000. It is expected that some of the Orange River Colony delegates at the Closer Union Convention in Durban will return here immediately, owing to the possibility of the dislocation of the administration, in consequence of the fire. It is hoped, however, that this will not interfere with the continuation of the Convention.

Telegraphing on Thursday, the same correspondent said: “The town and railway fire brigades, troops, and civilians all joined in the work of fighting the fire. The salvage of the law library was a fine achievement. The buildings destroyed by the fire were, fortunately, isolated. No one was seriously injured. The head of the fire department had thrice drawn the attention of the municipal authorities to the lack of proper fire appliances in the buildings. Dr. Ramsbottom, Colonial Treasurer, is taking energetic measures in re-organising the Government offices. Government business has been suspended until November 2.”

On the same day a Reuter telegram from Durban said: “It is understood that the Orange River Colony delegates to the National Convention will not return to Bloemfontein in consequence of the fire in the Government buildings unless their presence is found to be absolutely necessary. The sittings of the Convention will proceed without interruption.”

In a telegraphic message from Durban on Thursday, the Times correspondent says: “General sympathy is expressed in the Colony’s calamity, recalling that at the time of the Bloemfontein flood. Incidentally it may be mentioned that the improvements, which were the consequence of the flood, have remarkably embellished Bloemfontein, which is now one of the neatest capitals in South Africa.”

THE STRICKEN CITY

Bloemfontein, one of the principal cities of South Africa, dates back to 1845, when the first Boers trekked from the Cape Colony and settled in the country. It has a population of about 12,000 people, of whom about 4000 are coloured. Up to March 12, 1900, Bloemfontein was the capital of a prosperous republic, but it had, owing to the pastoral habits of its people, remained little more than a quiet and pleasant rural centre. Since the close of the war, however, it has increased rapidly in size, and bids fair to rank high among the cities of the sub-Continent. It stands upon a plain flanked by low hills, rising to an elevation of from 200 to 300 feet, on one of which, to the south, is a small fort erected by the British Government early in the sixties. Another elevation to the northeast, known as Naval Hill, affords a fine view. Close to the fort is a small monument erected to the memory of those who fell fighting against the Basutos in 1865-8. Bloemfontein is a garrison town, a fortunate circumstance in connection with the fire, as it enabled the local brigade to receive considerable assistance from the men at the cantonments. The city is believed to derive its name from a farmer named Bloem, and a small spring, still extant, situated on what used to be his farm. Near the spring just referred to was fought the battle between the British troops under Major Warden and the Boers under Pretorius in 1848, which resulted in the formation of a military garrison and the establishment of the Orange River Sovereignty. Subsequently the British gave over the administration of the country, and the Orange Free State had the seat of its government in Bloemfontein. Railway communication was established in 1890, and Bloemfontein soon became an important commercial centre, and gained in importance through the prosperity of the Kimberley diamond fields and the opening up of the agricultural resources of the surrounding country. The town is regularly laid out, and like most South African towns has a market square in the centre, on which the principal streets abut. Standing at an altitude of over 4000 feet above sea level, it is one of the healthiest towns in South Africa, if not the prettiest, the delightful clearness of its atmosphere making it one of the healthiest towns that could be found anywhere. Beautiful trees grace the streets, the luxuriant gardens surrounding the private dwellings being often overshadowed by tall willows and gums. In every respect it is a town boasting all the conveniences of the most modern cities. All the principal public buildings, hotels, and most of the private residences of any pretensions are lighted by electricity. It is unfortunate that to the electric current the destructive fire was due. The city is a railway centre of no mean importance

THE BLOCK THAT WAS DESTROYED

The town contains many fine buildings, which in point of architecture are equal to many of the edifices in the old world cities. The block of buildings now destroyed was considered the most handsome and picturesque in the city. It was situated in President Brand Street, facing Maitland Street?, the principal thoroughfare, and occupied a very extensive site. It contained? only two storeys, and was built of white stone and ordinary red brick, with red tiles, which gave it a striking appearance. In the tower rising from the centre of the building was a clock, above which stood the flag staff, on which the Union Jack continued to fly amid the smoke until brought down by the flames. In the centre of the block of buildings is a courtyard laid out as gardens, in which many beautiful flowers and palms flourished. The approach to the front and to the south and north sides was through beautiful gardens, forming one of the beauty spots in the city. At the back of President Brand’s statue, and immediately in front of the buildings, were several trees which had been planted by notable personages, after whom they were named. In this way the trees perpetuated, amongst others, the memory of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, Lord Milner, Mr. Chamberlain, and Paul Kruger. All the Government departments had offices within the buildings, and the members of the Ministry also had their offices there. When the Raad Zaal was once more used as a Parliament House, on the establishment of Responsible Government, the High Court removed to the Government Buildings, and the Government and Law Libraries were also accommodated there. The collection of public deeds and other documents covering a period of sixty years were kept in the strong rooms. Fortunately, the fine law library was saved. The correspondent of the Times at Durban has been informed by Mr. Fischer, the Premier, that most of the records have not been destroyed.

OTHER PRINCIPAL BUILDINGS

The Raad Zaal is a very well designed building, surrounded by Doric columns, with a domed tower 90 feet high, from which a magnificent view of the town and surrounding country can be obtained. The Raad Zaal has a useful interior ornamented with handsome decorations, and the total cost is said to be £57,000. Then there is the Town Hall, which, although not remarkable for its beauty, contains a very serviceable hall suitable for concerts and other similar entertainments, and under the same roof are the municipal offices. At the lower end of the market square the post and telegraph office is situated, a building of pleasing aspect. In St. George’s Street the National Museum is located. This building, if unable to boast of great architectural pretensions, at least has a history. One of the first buildings to be erected in the town, it has in turn served the purposes of a church, a Raad Zaal, and a Court House. Its chief historic association is the recollection that within its walls in 1854 the British Convention was signed. Last year a sum of £12,000 was granted for the erection of a new museum opposite to the Library. The handsome public library, which stands in Warden Square, was given to the city by Mr. G. A. Fichardt. Government House, the residence of Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams, and formerly of the President, is a substantial stone building, imposing in appearance, which cost £15,000.

Of the churches, the most notable is the Dutch Reformed, with two spires, and next in importance comes the Anglican Cathedral, with a very good interior. There are other churches of a more or less pretentious character, and a synagogue, the first in the Orange River Colony, erected in 1902. Bloemfontein is something of a scholastic centre, and notable amongst its educational institutions is the Grey College, founded by Sir George Grey. Situated about a mile from the market square on the north-east is the National Hospital, with room for 200 beds. There are several fine and spacious recreation grounds and parks, golf links, and two swimming baths. It will be a great and irrevocable loss to the town to lose its fine Government buildings, not only because of the financial loss which it entails, but because of the valuable records which have been destroyed, the full value of which it is impossible to do more than conjecture at the moment of writing.

Regards,

Ellen Stanton

Email: harprulz@bellsouth.net