The Great Fall River fire of 1928 occurred on February 2-3, 1928 and destroyed much of downtown Fall River, Massachusetts. Although the city has many other major fires, both before and after, the 1928 fires are generally regarded as the worst in the city's history, for destroying so many businesses as the city's economy has struggled from the recent closure of textile factories. By the time the fire goes out, five city blocks are completely destroyed. Fortunately, no one was killed and only a few people suffered serious injuries.
Video Great Fall River fire of 1928
Mist Edit
At 5:45 pm on February 2, 1928, a fire broke out at No. Mill. 2 from the Pocasset Manufacturing Company on Pocasset Street. It was a cold night and the demolition workers had dismantled the recently closed factory. The fire spread quickly through the factory complex. Within an hour, Fire Chief Jeremiah F. Sullivan sounded three alarms and asked for outside help. Around 7:00 pm local time the apparatus and the fire department from the surrounding towns and as far as Boston and Lowell will arrive to provide assistance.
The rapid southwest wind caused the fire to cross Central Street and hinder the suppression of fire. The wind shifted westward, spreading the fire on North Main Street. The wind shifted again to the northwest and extinguished the fire on Bedford Street. Temperatures hit record lows for the season, causing fire hoses to freeze and hamper the efforts of firefighters.
At 2:30 am the fire has been declared under control. Town Hall is broken but has been rescued. Various buildings in parts scattered in the area are still burned.
It was not until Saturday afternoon, almost two days after it started, that the fire was officially declared out. Police, National Guard and Naval Reserves also provide assistance to secure areas damaged by fire.
Total damage is estimated at $ 20,000,000, although the actual amount is much disputed by local entrepreneurs. The cause of the blaze was determined to have started with a spark of the Salamander heater used by the demolition crew to keep warm.
In just a few years, many commercial banks and businesses have been rebuilt, including the Granite Block, in the heart of the business district.
Maps Great Fall River fire of 1928
Building destroyed Edit
Five banks, three theaters, three hotels, two newspaper factories, twelve office buildings, a Jewish temple and half a dozen lunchrooms were ruined.
- Union Savings Bank
- Citizen Savings Bank
- Massasoit-Pocasset Bank
- Metacomet National Bank
- Fall River Co-operative Bank
- Rialto Theater
- The Premier Theater
- Mohican Theater Company
- Mohican Hotel
- Wilbur Hotel
- Bay State Boarding
- Wilbur House
- Fall River Globe Newspaper Building
- Old Herald-News House
- L'Independent Publishing company
- Remington Building
- Bennett House
- Granite Block Building
- Pocasset Factory Building
- The Miller Building
- Company Telephone Building
- Kresge Angle
- The Buffington Building
- Talbots Clothing Store
- O'Neil Hardware Store
- Beth-El Synagogue
- Central Police Office
- Bus Terminal
Destroyed buildings Edit
- City Hall
- Armory
The Fall River Daily Globe
Default company selection Edit
- United Cigar Shop.
- Pen and Pallette, commercial artist
- Service Printing Company
- Thomas G. The generous company, the restaurant
- Conos Brothers, confectionery
- Edwin J. Mills, deputy sheriff
- Eugene S. Sullivan, sheriff's deputy
- Fall River Real Estate Association
- Albert A. Belanger, publisher
- Frank Amber, the barber
- Herman J. Legare, the auctioneer
- Charles S. Graham, the auctioneer
- J. H. Hickey, real estate, and insurance
- Margaret I. Howarth, attorney
- Graham Loan Company
- Lake Mailing Company, office supplies
- Exchange, real estate
- The Walker Type Machine Company
- Cook-Taylor Inc., factory supplies
- Cash Brothers, Inc., roofers
- Luxor Cab company
- E. V. Cloutier, chiropodist
- Company Cobb, Bates, and Yerxa, wholesalers
- Baldwin Credit Exchange
- Alice Botway, clothing maker
- Herbert A. Borden, stationery.
- Chocolate company, pharmacist
- George Collias, bootblack
- The company information bureau of East Massachusetts Street Railway
- Central News and Delicatessen Company
- Mohican Drug Company, Inc.
- Pacific Oil Company
- Durfee and Canning Company
- The eagle restaurant
- City News Company, news dealer
- Majestic restaurant
- C. Warburton and Sons, florist
- The crystal restaurant
- The Norfolk Hosiery Company
- Joseph M. Madowsky, news agent
- American Optical Company
- Anthony Brothers, music publisher
- Dana C. Everett, cotton broker
- McCartys band and orchestra
- Publicity Bureau of Fall River, publisher
- C. E. Gifford and company, jewelry
- Astor Lunch
- Massachusetts Income tax office
- Income Tax Assessor
- Fall River Historical Society
- Aetna Life Insurance Company
- The Fall River Guarantee Board
- New England Insurance Exchange
- Troy Co-operative bank
- Hathaway and Company, cotton
- Bryant Chapin, artist
- Gagnon Printing Company
- Kitchen Ann, restaurant
- Taxi Checker Company
- Fall River, Inc. Navigation Company
- Western Union Telegraph Company
- The Staples Coal Company in Fall River
- US. Navy Reserves
- The Munroe Press, printer
- Burroughs Adds a Machine Company
- John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance company
- Manufacturers Association of Cotton.
- New York Life Insurance Company
- Fall River Granite & amp; Quarry Company
- James Buffington, cotton
- Aldrich & amp; Hawkins, cotton
- Baldwin-Lesser Company cotton
- Edward T. Robertson & amp; Child, cotton controller
- Universal Thrift Stamp Company
- The Fall River Blue Print Company
- Flossie's Kitchen, restaurant
- Fall River Poster Advertising Company
- Boston American
- Boston advertisers
- Providence Journal
- The McDermott Lunch Company.
- City development department, garage
- Company Smith Oil, Inc., gas station
- Standard Retread Company
References Edit
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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