Looking east on Market Street toward the current shopping
district and Powell Street cable car turn-around. Much of
the earthquake's devastation came from the many aftermath
fires unchecked due to the broken water mains. City officials
tried to play down the death toll to around 500; but state and
federal officials have placed the number between 3,000 and
6,000. As bodies were cremated by the massive fires, and
many Chinese and foreigners were not counted, and many
fled the city for food and work, the exact death toll will
never be known.
After the morning earthquake at about 5:13 A.M., a huge aftershock struck about 6:14 A.M.
Many survivors were hopelessly trapped within the collapsed structures. Resulting fires blazed
out-of-control for over three days due to broken water mains until finally stopped along the west
by blocks of homes being dynamited by the military. The blue line represents the current Bay to
Breakers race course (traveling right to left) through the fire zone. The distance of the course
within the red line is 2 1/4 miles. While climbing the Hayes Street hill, we pass the
western fire line at Octavia Street.