100 Years Ago
FERNIE, BRITISH COLUMBIA: Aug. 2, 1908 - Smoldering forest fires burst into a wall of raging flames and wiped out the entire town, killing at least 74 people. A strong wind from the west fanned the fire into a fury and flames appeared on the crest of a hill overlooking the town in early afternoon. The fire raced down the mountainside and before a fireguard could be put in place, the town was ablaze. The conflagration continued on before reaching the town of Hosmer, which was also destroyed. The unrelenting flames spread through the night, threatening several other communities. Firefighting efforts had little effect as the sky filled with flaming embers, igniting numerous smaller fires that would merge with the huge firefront. Early reports indicated numerous firefighters were killed while battling the flames.
WINSTED, CT: Aug. 2. 1908 - An incendiary fire that was set in a huge wooden armory spread to exposures and across the street as the structure became fully involved. Vast stores of ammunition began detonating during the blaze and complicated firefighting efforts. Eighteen persons were rescued from the Odd Fellows building across the street from the armory. This structure, ignited by radiant heat, trapped many guests and firemen had to use portable ladders to rescue those trapped. One woman battled a fireman, saying she would not leave without her silverware.
CHICAGO: Aug. 3, 1908 - A tremendous blaze inside two huge grain elevators took the efforts of 80 engines and several fire tugs to contain. The fire started at 1 P.M., when a cigarette that had been discarded near barrels of chemicals ignited and caused an explosion. Within minutes, the flames had engulfed the elevators, buildings and more than 100 railcars. The flames were so intense upon arrival that fire units had to set up more than a block from the initial fire building.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Aug. 6, 1908 - An early-morning fire in the historic mansion Burley Hall caused more than $250,000 in damage. Guests of the new owners who had just attended a house-warming gala were roused from their slumbers to thick smoke and cries of "Fire!" Many of the guests, including Winston Churchill, worked all night long to save many valuable paintings and historic articles as the fire brigade battled the flames.
GLENFIELD, PA: Aug. 13, 1908 - Workmen installing an oil pipe caused a leak that ignited, spreading fire to several structures. Six men battling the blaze suffered severe burns as the fire swept through a warehouse and five dwellings. Mutual aid was sent from Pittsburgh and together with the local volunteers extinguished the fire after several hours of hard work.
NEW HYDE PARK, NY: Aug. 17, 1908 - A fire that started in an upper room of a hotel was soon out of control. Firemen arrived quickly, but the fire had spread unseen in voids and was quickly moving throughout the structure. A stiff wind carried embers to the roof of a nearby house, setting it on fire. The homeowner, a blind man, was awakened by the smell of smoke and assembled his entire family at a window just as firemen placed a ladder to it. A number of firemen were injured battling the two fires.
AUGUSTA, GA: Aug. 26, 1908 - A destructive flood had this city almost totally underwater as the Savannah River swelled and entered the city streets. As many as 20 lives were lost due to the flood and the damage was in the millions. With water six feet deep in spots, firemen responded to several major fires in the flooded city. Blazes in a huge cotton warehouse and a similar-sized wholesale grocery warehouse were reported and firemen responded through the flooded streets to go to work extinguishing the fires.
PAUL HASHAGEN, a Firehouse® contributing editor, is a retired FDNY firefighter who was assigned to Rescue Company 1 in Manhattan. He is also an ex-chief of the Freeport, NY, Fire Department. Hashagen is the author of FDNY 1865-2000: Millennium Book, a history of the New York City Fire Department, and other fire service history books.