Rekindles: February 2005

Feb. 1, 1905: SCHENECTADY, NY – A fire of unknown origin swept the south side of State Street during the early-morning hours. The flames consumed four blocks of commercial buildings before they finally were halted, but damaged two additional blocks of buildings.

Feb. 3, 1905: GLOUCESTER, MA – A fire that started at 9 P.M. was still burning fiercely at midnight and appeared to be out of control. Firemen struggled to contain the flames, but were hampered by severe cold and a treacherous ice condition. The fire, in the heart of the business district, seriously injured two firemen.

Feb. 4, 1905: SALEM, MA – A moving-picture machine exploded on the stage during a performance at the Mechanic Hall Theatre and began burning. The audience of 1,300 people was thrown into a panic as flames leaped up the stage curtains. The hall was plunged into darkness as the crowd rushed for the exits. Several actors appeared on stage and calmed the crowd as the evacuation continued. The theater was cleared with no major injuries, although one fireman suffered a broken leg battling the flames in the doomed structure.

Feb. 7, 1905: MEREDITH, NH – A blaze broke out in a bedroom of a farmhouse, taking the life of a young woman who was a guest of the family. The 4-year old daughter of the homeowner was also missing and presumed killed by the flames. Her body was later found outside; she apparently had been trying to flee to a nearby home and froze to death.

Feb. 11, 1905: CHICAGO – A six-story brick building at 270 Fifth Ave., home of the Central Electric Co. and a number of local businesses, was destroyed by a fire believed to have been caused by defective wiring. The blaze caused more than a half-million dollars in damage.

Feb. 13, 1905: MOBILE, AL – Fire Chief Price and Fireman McMahon were injured by falling bricks as they battled a blaze in the Battle House, one of the city’s historic hotels. Flames also spread to the Commerce Hotel and several adjoining buildings. Damage to the buildings was $400,000, but no lives were lost.

Feb. 19, 1905: INDIANAPOLIS – A fire broke out in a large millinery building and spread quickly. Despite the efforts of firemen, within 45 minutes the blaze had ignited eight structures. The situation was becoming extremely dangerous as explosions tore through a drug company building and the exterior brick walls of several structures began to collapse as firemen pressed close attempting to halt fire extension. One fireman suffered a broken leg scrambling from beneath a collapsing wall. A heroic stand was made and the flames were halted as fire closed in on the Grand Hotel.

Feb. 21. 1905: BOSTON – An investigation was begun after a fire destroyed two Hoosac Tunnel piers in the Charlestown section of the city. The piers, owned by the Boston & Maine Railroad Co., were destroyed. The steamship Philadelphian was damaged but was hauled away during the fire and saved. Five people were injured and hospitalized.

Feb. 25, 1905: HOT SPRINGS, AR – At least three people were killed by a fire in the Grand Central Hotel. Firemen struggled to make a stand that was thwarted when water pressure was lost. The fire roared through the southern portion of the city for more than five hours.