HISTORICAL FIRES 1920-1940
RICHMOND HOTEL FIRE 3/31/1922
Origin of fire was located under a stairwell in the basement section to the annex of the hotel. A ticket seller first smelled smoke in the theater of the hotel and turned in a call to the fire department. At the same time a passer by discovered the flames coming out the basement windows and ran to Hose 1 located 100ft from the building. The firemen of Hose 1were just putting on there gear when the passerby notified them about the fire. Four lives were lost as a result of the fire and 5 people hurt. The annex was a total loss and no cause could be discover other than a possible dropped match by possible tramp. The fire resulted in the purchase of a aerial ladder for the fire department since all rescues had to be made via ground ladders.
SHAPIRO RAG & JUNK SHOP 7/24/24
Fire located in a two story rag and junk shop on Ashland St. causing 15,000 dollars in damage. Origin unknown. The building was a total loss.
METHODIST CHURCH FIRE 2/14/1927
Origin of fire believed to be located in heating boilers located in
the basement of the building. The fire was discovered by a taxi
driver for yellow Cab Company at 3am. He quickly notified a patrolman
who pulled box 7 to notify the fire department. The fire resulted in
100,000 dollars in damage. It took firefighters 3 hours to battle
the flames using nine 2 ½ inch lines. The building was located at
the site of the current Methodist church on the corner of main and
Church streets.
