Main Street Conflagration of 1890

News Articles

Reprint of article appearing in the Akron Breeze on Friday November 28, 1890 describing the burning of a large portion of Main Street buildings.

"The heaviest fire that has ever occurred in Akron swept through the central part of the south side of Main Street last Monday. The buildings form the Hoag brick block on the east to E. E. Parkers hardware store on the west were all destroyed. The south side of Main Street consisted of a row of wooden buildings closely connected, from the Hoag block to the store occupied by Orin Pennell, and it was owing to a fortunate change in the direction of the wind and the untiring exertions of our firemen and citizens, that the fire was checked before all were destroyed.

The alarm was given at twenty minutes before 1 o'clock PM. The fire originated in the Robinson block, adjoining the brick block of W. N. Hoag. The building on the ground floor was occupied by A. F. Robinson as a grocery store, and the second floor as living rooms by Mr. and Mrs. M. Osborne. When the engines reached the ground, the ceiling between the first and second floor was found to be a mass of fire. The flames soon burst out, and nothing could be done towards checking them. The heat was intense, and it was not known but that the Hoag block would have to go, but owing to the substantial manner in which it had been built, with such a contingency in view, with the exception of the broken glass in the windows no damage was done. Next to the Robinson block came a wooden building owned by W. N. Hoag, and occupied on the ground floor by the tailor shop and store of J.A. Anderson, while the second floor was occupied by Will Havens for living rooms, H. L. Steiner for law offices, and the town Clerks office. This building only added to the flames. The next building, owned by Mrs. Zwetsch, and occupied as a residence and the bakery adjoining, also owned by Mrs. Zwetsch, and occupied by H. Eagan, were soon a mass of flames.

The next in order was the building owned by Supervisor Cummings, occupied by him for a general store and post office. From the inflammable nature of the material, the rapid progress of the flames, fanned by the quite strong wind and the intense heat, no effectual work could be done toward stopping the fire. The next buildings in the path of the fire were owned by Paxon & Paxon. The first was occupied on the ground floor by Will Havens as a barber shop, the second floor by Paxon & Paxon for law offices. An "L" extended to the west and to within 3 or 4 feet of the second building, which was occupied by John Handley as a shoe shop. It was evident that if progress of the fire was checked hat it must be at this point. The building occupied by John Handley, together with the "L" of the adjoining building, was torn down. This made it possible for the firemen to stop the spread of flames at this point.

The rapid spread of the fire was caused by the inflammable nature of the material in the buildings, together with the strong southerly wind that was blowing at the time. Although the most of the buildings adjoined each other, the double wooden walls would for a little time check the advance of the fire, but as soon as the fire reached the inside of a building, in almost an instant it would be all in flames. The flames burst out of the Robinson building at about one o'clock, and by three o'clock the fire was under control. Had it not been for the fortunate change in the direction of the wind the entire row of wooden buildings would have been destroyed. When the fire started, the wind was southeasterly, partly drawing the flames and heat away from the Hoag block, and in the direction of the row of wooden buildings. Before the first two buildings burned down, the wind veered into the south, and by the time the Cummings building was reached, it changed into a southwesterly direction, partly drawing the heat away from the Parker building. But for this change it would have been impossible, with the means at hand, to have stopped this fire.

Too much praise cannot be given for the prompt response to the alarm, and the faithful and untiring efforts of the firemen and citizens. The engine and hose companies had their apparatus on the ground at once. The Falkirk company reached the fire in a remarkably short time. The cisterns in the vicinity of the fire were quickly pumped dry, and valuable time was lost in moving the engines to new localities. The engines were finally moved down to the creek, but it entailed heavy labor to throw the water to the top of the high bluff and on to the fire. willing hands were found to assist in saving the property in the burning buildings. Many ladies were busy in the work, displaying more coolness and nerve during the exciting time than many of the men. The rapidity of the fire made it necessary to strip the buildings of their contents, consequently the furniture and goods removed are very much damaged and much will be lost.

At this writing, only an approximate idea of the loss sustained can be given. Much of the property taken out was piled together in the nearest place of safety. Some of the goods and furniture which had been dropped on the opposite side of the street caught fire and were consumed. It will take time to get together what has been saved, and further time will be necessary to estimate the loss and damage done. In any case the loss will be heavy.

The first building destroyed was owned and occupied by Mrs. A. F. Robinson, for a grocery store. The contents were a complete loss. Value of the building $2000, insured for $1200. Value of the stock $2000, insured for $1000. Unfortunately, Mr. Robinson had diminished the value of his insurance $300 about 1 month ago.

Mr. M. Osborne, who lived on the second floor, lost all of his furniture and $12 to $20 in money. Loss about $300. No insurance.

The building owned by W. N. Hoag was valued at $2000, insured for $1000. J. A. Andersons stock of goods amounted to about $6000, on which there was an insurance of $1600. While many of the goods were removed from the building, the loss will probably be much more than the insurance.

The furniture of Will Havens who occupied the second floor for a dwelling, was mostly removed in a badly damaged condition. No insurance. H. L. Steiner, Town Clerk, who also had an office in the upper rooms of this building, saved the records of the town. His furniture was removed in a badly damaged condition. No insurance.

The building occupied in part by Mrs. Zwetsch as a residence and for a bakery by H. Eagan, was valued at $2000. Most of her furniture is lost and destroyed. No insurance. The stock of H. Eagan was valued at $1800, on which there was insurance of $850.

The building owned by Wm. M. Cummings, worth $2000, had an insurance of $1500. The stock in his store amounted to $2000, on which there was insurance of $500. The post office boxes have been removed temporarily to the store of E. R. Parker. The mail matter in the post office is supposed to be all saved. The books on postal laws were lost.

The building owned by Paxon & Paxon, the upper part of which was occupied by them for law offices, was valued at $2500, on which was an insurance of $1300. The furniture in Will Havens barber shop, on the ground floor, was saved in a damaged condition. No insurance. The books, papers, and furniture of Paxon & Paxon were removed. The loss cannot be estimated at this time. No insurance on contents of the building.

The next building, also owned by Paxon & Paxon, and occupied by J. Handley for a shoe shop, was valued at $1000, insurance $600.

As the fire approached the wooden building occupied by E. E. Parker for a hardware store, it seemed as if it could not possibly be saved, and the stock of goods was hastily removed. The stock was insured for $4500. From the disarrangement of his business, as well as the loss of more or less property that he will not be able to identify as having been in stock at the time of the removal, Mr. Parker will sustain quite a heavy loss, beyond what he can receive for insurance. The building owned by Mrs. A. C. Paxon was but slightly damaged. Insurance on the building $1200.

The buildings on the north side of the street were slightly scorched, and the roofs in many places were injured by the falling cinders, but a careful watch was kept of the exposed district and no further harm was done.

A dispatch was sent to the fire department at Buffalo for assistance. A steamer was sent as soon as possible, but the fire being under control when it arrived, it was not unloaded.

It is not known how the fire started, but it is supposed that it was caused by a defective flue. The fire was first discovered in the ceiling, between the first and second floors, at the back end of the Robinson store. The rooms below and above were occupied, and yet the fire had made such headway that when it was discovered and located, help could not be got in time to prevent the bursting out of flames. Mr. Osborne called the attention of Mr. Robinson to the smell of smoke in his room about 12 o'clock. The latter made an examination, and discovering no signs of fire, concluded that the wind had driven the smoke down the pipe of the kitchen stove. After Mr. Osborne had taken his dinner, he again called the attention of Mr. Robinson that the smoke was increasing. Mr. Robinson then discovered smoke issuing from the cracks in the floor, and upon going below and breaking through the plastering, found the lath and woodwork completely charred. The pipe of a woodstove entered the flue at the back end of the store. This flue was five or six feet from the place where the fire was discovered.

We are glad to be able to state that no very serious accident occurred. Aside from blistered hands and faces we have learned of no serious accidents.

Reprint of article appearing in the Buffalo Morning Express Tuesday November 25, 1890 describing the burning of a large portion of Main Street buildings.

"The little town of Akron is prolific in sensations of late. Hardly has the tide of excitement over the McMullen bridge tragedy ebbed away before the place is visited by a large fire. The conflagration that swept away six stores on Main Street yesterday afternoon resulted in a total loss of property of about $26,000. The insurance is estimated at $11,150.

The first news of the fire reached Buffalo about two o'clock in the afternoon through a dispatch sent to the Fire Department asking for aid. An engine was sent by special train with all expediency, but it arrived too late to be made available. By 3:30 o'clock the fire had been overcome by the local department. And as the Buffalo engine did not reach Akron before that time it was not evenn taken from the railroad station.

When an Express reporter reached the scene of disaster yesterday afternoon the fire was entirely under control. Nothing was left of the six buildings from the Hoag block to E.E. Parker's store on Main Street but some smoldering embers and the stone foundations. The contents of the various stores were scattered about the streets in the most promiscuous fashion. Some small streams were still playing on the ruins, but it was evident that the fire had been stemmed. Ropes had been stretched across the street, but they were ineffectual in keeping back the crowd. Women and children mingled with men in gazing at the ruins.

The fire originated in A. F. Robinson's grocer store, and as the wind was blowing rather strongly in a southerly direction it soon spread. Four other stores were quickly licked up by the flames, and to prevent them from spreading still farther, the building occupied by John Haqndley's shoe shop was torn down, making a total of six buildings destroyed. The demolition of the sixth building was successful in its purpose. The fire spread no farther.

Mr. Robinson thusly describes the commencement of the fire: "I was just leaving my store at half past twelve o'clock when Mr. Osborn, who lives in the floor above, said that smoke was coming up into his apartments. We thought it was smoke that leaked out of the chimney at first, but we soon found that it came from between the floors. When I pulled up the boarding I found between the rafters a bed of live coals. The fire had been smoldering for some time. It soon spread in spite of our effort, but I think the building could have been saved, and all the others as well, if the Fire Department had taken water from the cisterns in my building and the one next to it, instead of endeavoring to get water from the creek. As it was, a great deal of valuable time was lost."

Mr. Robinson could hardly account for the origin of the fire. He thought it might have arisen from a defective chimney, though he said the fire was discovered at a distance of 15 feet from the chimney. Form Mr. Covey, the insurance agent, it was learned that the chimney was of tile, and was considered so dangerous by his companies that they refused to place any insurance on the building. The firemen saved a great deal of the stock in the various stores. All they had available with which to extinguish the flames were two hand engines, and a small hook and ladder truck. Though the men worked like beavers they were unorganized, and could do little but save the contents of the stores. The razing of the Handley building was really what conquered the flames.

Article appearing in the Akron Breeze on Friday, December 5 1890

"We cannot speak too highly of the efforts made by our fire department and the citizens generally to check the progress of the flames at the late fire. More faithful and earnest work could not have been given, as the further spread of the fire being stopped with the means at hand abundantly shows. The work performed, however, shows that in the matter of fire protection we are lacking in two important particulars. First, in a supply of water to be used at the time of a fire. At the beginning of the fire the engines were connected to cistern in the neighborhood. Those were soon pumped dry, and much valuable time was lost in moving from one to another. At the beginning of a fire, if water can be conveniently and quickly obtained, a comparatively small quantity will extinguish it, when at a later period a large quantity will do no good. Indeed, it is said that unless the quantity is sufficient to drown out the burning material, that the oxygen of the water will only add to the intensity of the fire. It is evident that the cisterns so placed as to be conveniently reached at the time of a fire, and kept constantly filled, the chances of saving property would be much greater. As most of the buildings in Akron are comparatively small ones, and if the fire is not put out at once are quickly burned down, extremely large cisterns are not needed at any one point. We think a number of smaller sized cisterns so located in different parts of the village that some of them could be reached, should a fire occur in any of the closely built sections, would be much better and of more practical use than to depend upon one large cistern however centrally it may be placed. But there will always be difference of opinion in regard to what is best to be done upon any such question. This difference of opinion should not be allowed to prevent anything being done.

The wooden buildings are so situated upon Main Street especially, as to be very much endangered should a fire break out on either side, and we hope action will be taken at once in providing a supply of water to be used if needed.

Our fire department is also lacking in a complete and thorough organization, and a sufficient amount of practice has not been given to the men to perfectly familiarize them with the work they have to perform. At the time of a fire some one person should have the authority to give orders, and the discipline of the companies should be such that such orders are obeyed without question. At the late fire, while every individual connected with the department was doing his best, yet from lack of thorough organization and drill, much valuable time was lost in the start. We have the material here for making one of the best fire departments in the state, and the hearty co-operation and support of our citizens should be given to encourage and sustain our firemen."

Reprint of article appearing in the Buffalo Evening News on November 25, 1890

" Akron, N.Y., Nov. 24 --[Special]-- Fire broke out in A.F. Robinson's grocery store about 12:30 this afternoon, burning it to the ground and extending to the following buildings, entirely destroying them: J.A. Anderson, merchant tailor; Mrs. Sewetsch, dwelling; W. Havens, dwelling rooms; H. Eagan, bakery; W.M. Cummings, grocery and drug store and Postoffice and Central Telephone Exchange; W. Havens, barbershop; Jaxon & Jaxon, law office; Jaxon dwelling house; J. Handley's shoe shop.

"Akron, Nov. 25, -- The fire is believed to have been caused by a defective chimney in the Robinson building, which was considered so unsafe that underwriters refused to place insurance upon the property. The firemen worked with a will, but the apparatus, consisting of two small hand engines and a small hook and ladder truck, was insufficient to subdue the flames until six buildings had been destroyed, and then the fire was conquered by the razing of Handley's building.

A telegram was sent to Buffalo asking for help, when Steamer 3 was loaded on a flat car and, accompanied by Commissioner Beyer, Chief Hornung, and 10 firemen, arrived at the scene in just 22 minutes, but the fire was then under control and the engine's services were not needed.

The buildings were all two-story frame structures, situated in the heart of the village. Following are the losses and insurance: A.F. Robinson, loss on building $2,000, on stock $2,000, insurance $2,400; M. Osborne, who lived over the store, lost all his effects, no insurance; W.N. Hoag, loss on building $12,000, insurance $1,000; J.A. Anderson, loss on stock $6,000, insurance $1,500; Steiner & Hayes law office in the second story of this building, saved most of their effects. Mr. Havens and family also occupied rooms in this building and lost most of their effects. Henry Eagan, grocer and baker, loss on stock, $1,200; insured for $850. This building was owned by ex-President Cleveland. Not known wether it was insured. Mrs. Zwetsch, who lived over this store, lost all her household goods. W. M. Cummings, druggist and general grocer, loss on building $3,000, and stock $4,000; insurance $3,500. The Postoffice and telephone exchange were in this building and their effects were saved. The next two buildings were owned by Mrs. A. L. Paxon. The first was occupied by George Havens barber shop and W. L. Paxon's law office. Loss on building $3,000; insurance $1,300. Haven's loss $150. The second building which was razed to the ground was occupied by John Handley's shoe shop. Handley's stock was saved. Loss on the building $1,000; insurance $600. E. L. Parker's hardware store, the building owned by the Paxon estate, was badly scorched, but escaped destruction. Loss on building $200. Most of the stock was removed, but subsequently was placed back in the building.

Shortly after the fire was subdued and the work of cleaning up the ruins was commenced."