Phoenix Fire 1-5-71

The Phoenix Professional building was the former Wellington Hotel located in downtown North Adams.The first alarm came in for the fire at 8:45 PM by Willfred Dupuill after running past the fire station to the police station to report it. At 9 pm  the second alarm was turned in bringing in all off duty firefighters. Mutual aid was called in from Williamstown (100ft Arial ladder), Clarksburg(pumper) Adams(pumper). One tenant was killed, one injured. The fire also injured 11 firefighters, five were hospitalized. The cause is listed as faulty wiring, wire overloads and incorrect handyman work over the years.

PHOENIX WELLINGTON FIRE
 

 

Wellington Hotel Fire 11/1/1940

The origin of the fire is believed to be located on the 3rd floor around room 217. The fire was discovered around 2:30 am by a night clerk after returning from checking in a guest. Sixty four people were able to escape the fire 54 which were guest. One resident was burned and one fireman, Harry Boyer was injured when the ladder he was on toppled over throwing him to the roof of the Collins block. Firefighters first made contact with the fire on the second floor and had to fight the flames floor by floor. It took four hours to bring the fire under control. Damage to the building was very severe and was eventually repaired only to suffer the same fate in 1971.

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