Buffalo, NY Hotel Fire, Dec 1950

SIX MEN DIE IN BUFFALO HOTEL FIRE.

Buffalo (AP) -- At least six elderly men died last night in a three-alarm fire in Sam's Hotel at 309 Michigan Avenue, east of the downtown district. None of the victims was identified immediately.
DR. MAX A. SCHNEIDER of Buffalo General Hospital said he found three of the victims in their beds. Two others were found in a hallway. All were burned badly.
The fire broke out in the top floor of the small hotel shortly after 11 p.m. (E.S.T.). It sent roomers fleeing into 11 degree cold outside some of them clad only in bed sheets and many barefooted.
About a dozen elderly men were led safely from the fourth floor. No cause was determined.

The Troy Record New York 1950-12-26

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SMOKING BLAMED FOR BUFFALO HOTEL FIRE KILLING SIX.

Buffalo -- A three-alarm fire caused the deaths of six men Monday night as it destroyed Sam's Hotel, 309 Michigan Ave. The men were all on the top floor of the hotel, to which the fire was confined. Approximately 25 other men escaped the flames.
The dead were tentatively identified as:
CHARLES LLOYD HOLLIS, 32.
JOHN KRESCH, 66.
JOHN SHAY, 63.
CLARENCE F. WARNER, 55.
STEPHEN JOYCE, 59.
THOMAS BIANCHI, 52.
All except HOLLIS were residents of the hotel. He was visiting a friend at the time of the fire. No address for him was available.
Battalion Chief LEO S. CONSIDINE of the Fire Prevention Bureau reported yesterday that evidence indicated that a "carelessly tossed cigarette in MR. JOYCE'S room" had started the blaze. The top floor of the hotel was gutted by the flames.

The Bradford Era Pennsylvania 1950-12-27
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!