Cincinnati, OH Gibson Hotel and Other Businesses Fire, Dec 1912

SEVERAL COMPANIES SUFFER HEAVY LOSS IN CINCINNATI FIRE.

A MILLION DOLLAR DAMAGE RESULTS FROM BLAZE STARTING IN GIBSON HOTEL EARLY TODAY.

(By Associated Press.)
Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 11. -- Firemen were today still playing water on the smoldering fire of the Gibson Hotel, RENDIGS and LOTHMANN department store, W. L. DOUGLAS Shoe Company and the upper ten stories of the seven-teen story Union Trust Building which was wrecked by the fire which started at eight o'clock last night.
The fire menaced the heart of Cincinnati's down town district ant the loss is estimated from $100,000 to $1,000,000. So far as known, there was no loss of life but nine persons are injured, none of them seriously.

Scrub Women Trapped.
Scores of persons were imperilled but the heroic work of rescuers saved them. Forty-five scrubwomen were in the Union Trust Building when the fire started. Over a score of them were made prisoners by the flames until rescuers ran elevators through the smoke and flames to the hysterical women.
All of the guests of the Gibson hotel are believed to have escaped. They were notified in ample time.

Workman's Torch Cause.
The fire is believed to have been caused by a workman's torch in the new part of the Gibson hotel and a neglected bonfire. The fire spread rapidly and in a few minutes crept along the wooden wall just along back of the Gibson hotel proper and from there it spread to the RENDIGS- LOTHMANN department store and then to the Union Trust building.

Loss Near Million.
The Gibson hotel manager estimates the loss at $350,000; RENDIGS-LOTHMANN about $100,000, and the Union Trust Co., $200,000. The contents of numerous offices were destroyed in this building and this loss may bring the total damage up to $1,000,000. Damage to the DOUGLAS Shoe Co., $25,000 and Missouri Pacific Ry., office $18,000.

Janesville Daily Gazette Wisconsin 1912-12-11
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!