Blue Island, IL Fire, May 1896 - Narrow Escape, Rebuilding

Narrow Escape

Of Three Hundred Dancers From Death by Fire at Blue Island, a Suburb of Chicago-Twenty-Six Buildings Destroyed.

Chicago, May 17.- Nearly half the business portion of Blue Island, a suburban town, was destroyed by fire today. Altogether twenty-six buildings were consumed, entailing a total loss of about $150,000. A shifting wind was blowing almost a hurricane at the time, and the fire spread rapidly. Three hundred people who were attending a dance in Saenger hall had a narrow escape from death. The building caught fire while the dance was in progress and a stampede ensued. Many persons were bruised, though none were seriously injured. The last of the escaping crowd rushed through a cloud of smoke and heard the sound of burning timbers behind them.

In spite of the efforts of the fireman, all the buildings in Grove Street, between Western Avenue and Henry Streets, the west side of Western Avenue between Grove and Vermont Streets, and every building on the opposite side of Western Avenue were utterly destroyed.

The Wheeling Register, Wheeling, WV 18 May 1896

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Have Begun To Build Already.

Blue Islanders Set About Repairing the Losses of Sunday’s Fire.

Blue Islanders are not disheartened over their losses at the great fire of Sunday morning, and the work of rebuilding has already commenced.

Two frame structures are now in course of erection, as well as a temporary office, and the majority of the fire sufferers have declared they will rebuild at once.

No one in the town has asked for assistance, and a report that there was to be a public meeting of the fire sufferers was unfounded.

Praise for the three city fire companies is abundant in the burnt district, every one agreeing that but for their work and assistance the fire would have swept over as much territory again.

The next regular meeting of the town council will be held on the first day of June, but it is probable that the body will meet tomorrow evening and take steps toward securing more fire protection.

The Daily Inter Ocean, Chicago, IL 19 May 1896