Wellsville, NY City Hall Fire, Apr 1954

WELLSVILLE'S OLD CITY HALL SWEPT BY BLAZE.

Wellsville, N. Y. -- Fire yesterday destroyed this village's old city hall and threatened the Main St. business district before being brought under control by firemen from seven area communities. The building, which housed equipment of three local fire departments, a court foom and police headquarters suffered an estimated $20,000 damage, according to RUSSELL M. DYE, local fire chief.

Winds Hamper Firemen.
Stiff winds hampered firemen who fought the blaze for about an hour and a half after it was discovered at 10:45 a.m. Chief DYE said the blaze started and was confined to, the third floor of the three story structure.
The cause could not be determined. Chief DYE told The Era last night the blaze may have started from faulty wiring or from a cigarette tossed into straw on the floor of the building.
Three Wellsville volunteer firemen suffered minor injuries, but did not require hospitalization.
Firemen from Andover, Belmont, Scio, Allentown, Willing and Cuba and a truck and fire fighting crew from the Sinclair Refining Co. assisted local firemen.
The fire forced police headquarters to move to the municipal building and destroyed the village fire alarm, located on top of the structure. The roof and third floor of the building were reported a total loss.

Three Stores Evacuated.
Three nearby stores were evacuated at the height of the blaze when it was feared walls of the structure would topple. Smoke from the wind whipped flames filled nearby stores and the offices of the New York Telephone Co., across the street from the burning bulding.
Just as the blaze was being brought under control, a second fire broke out -- at the home of MR. and MRS. LEO GRAHAM on Bently Rd. Considerable damage resulted, according to Chief DYE. Trucks from Cuba, Belmont and the refining company left the city hall blaze to extinguish the residential fire.
The city hall was dedicated in 1895 during Wellsville's centennial observance and was a landmark of this community. Village Clerk C. P. DUGGAN said the building was insured for $37,000 and the fire alarm system for $2,250.
The building also housed the office of the local American Red Cross and meeting rooms for local fire companies. It is expected that the structure may have to be demolished as the result of damage to the upper stories.

The Bradford Era Pennsylvania 1954-04-02
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!