Disastrous Downtown Fire – 1914

DISASTROUS FIRE HITS WEISER; LANDMARKS GONE

Three Frame Structures in Heart of Business Section Destroyed—Other Buildings Threatened

Weiser, Aug. 1—The most terrific fire that has visited this town in several years broke out about 4 o’clock this morning and within an hour, three frame structures almost in the heart of the business district, with nearly all their contents, were totally destroyed. The loss will reach considerable, with small insurance. The fire started in the rooming house, the largest of the buildings, and its occupants barely had time to escape with their lives.

Heroic work by the fire department and volunteers in confining the fire to the burning structures prevented the flames from spreading to the Hotel Washington, the Van Sice building, and the Pythian Castle, which were directly in the pathway. Lack of wind greatly aided in the work. All the plate glass fronts in the buildings on the opposite side of the street were smashed by the terrific heat. The buildings burned were: Oakes Bros. paint shop in the Vial building, the Valley rooming house conducted by Chris Luck, and the Van Graven building occupied by a second-hand store. All were among the first buildings erected in Weiser and familiar landmarks. The Van Graven building was partially destroyed by fire only a short time ago.

From Evening Capital News – Saturday, August 1, 1914