Show three blocks in heart of commercial district of new orleans burned causing loss of over million new orleans fire which broke out in the center of the commercial dis brict sunday afternoon swept over portions of three blocks destroying a large number of wholesale houses manufacturing houses and stores originating at and charles streets the flames worked their way north as tar as conti street and went to royal with a loss of between one and two million dollars before the flames were finally subdued at the time the alarm was turned in shortly before 3 clock the new orleans firemen were in the midst of their annual picnic at a suburban 1 ark and the engines and patro s re with a mere handful of men it was fully an hour before the department part ment was in a position to make anything like a successful fight the fire and even then the handicap against it was added to by an inadequate supply of water the fire was one of the most spec that has occurred in new or leans during recent years two warehouses filled with wines and liquors were among the buila ings destroyed barrel of whiskey and brandy exploded with thunderous roars which could be beard for blocks and which shook the walls of adjoin ing buildings and endangered the 1 ves of foremen engaged in fighting the flames it was not until several hours had elapsed that the fire was otten under control and even then it continued to burn well into the eight |