Sydney Morning Herald September 16 1922 p.13
A woman, the chief of the American Collegiate Institute, alleges that a Turkish sergeant or officer entered the first building in which flames broke out. He was carrying small tins, apparently of paraffin. The fire broke out immediately he departed.
It is estimated that there are 1000 dead.
European and American financial losses are heavy, probably aggregating 12,000,000 pounds. The destruction includes large, crowded stores.
The Near East Relief Committee of the Armenian and Greek villages outside the city also were set on fire, with the residential suburbs of Bournabat at Soudja.