Leechburg Fire of 1889

From LeechburgWiki

Lots of people in Leechburg suffered great losses on this day.

[edit] From the NY Times Article

LEECHBURG SWEPT BY FIRE.; A LARGE PORTION OF THE BEST PART OF THE TOWN DESTROYED.

November 27, 1889, Wednesday

LEECHBURG, Penn., Nov. 26.-- A fire broke out in this place this evening and for three hours raged fiercely, destroying a large portion of the business and residence section of the town and entailing a loss of at least $80,000.

The fire started in the Anderson Block, and as a high wind was prevailing the flames spread in all directions. In less than an hour the Council rooms, Cochran Block, Leechburg Banking Company's Building, and several blocks on both sides on the main street were burning, and the fire was still eating its way thorough the town.

The citizens were almost panic-stricken and seemingly were unable to effectivly fight the fire with the primitive apparatus at their command. Telegrams for assistance were sent to Pittsburg and Allegheny, and with the welcome intelligence that engines were on their way to the scene, the residents again went to work with a will, and by 9 o'clock the fames were under control.

Before this was accomplished, however, the Post Office, the Leechburg Advance Building, Leechburg Bank Building, Hill Bank Building, Cochran's Block, Squire's Block, and twenty to twenty-five buildings and stores were in ruins.

It is impossible to estimate the insurance, but it will be light. The night is cold, and the many homeless ones will suffer severly from exposure