St. Petersburg, PA Fire, Feb 1873

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES.

Losses and Insurance by the St. Petersburg, Penn., Disaster.

ST. PETERSBURG, Penn., Feb. 22.---The fire last night broke out in Hepp's saloon. The Fire Department were promptly on hand, and by their heroic exertions, aided by the citizens generally, saved the town from the absolute destruction which threatened. The fire spread rapidly to Aiken's Opera-house next door. The Chief Engineer directed the building to be torn down, thus arresting further spread of the flames.

The origin of this devastating conflagration was the explosion of a lamp in Hepp's saloon. The business portion of the town is in ashes. The citizens, with praiseworthy generosity threw open their houses to the sufferers by the fire.

The New York Times, New York, NY 23 Feb 1873

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The St. Petersburg Fire.

----In twelve minutes from the time the fire was discovered in Hepp's saloon that structure and Aiken's opera house were in ashes. Quick work that.

----The water works were completed with the exception of a few connections, and the water was to have been turned on Friday. For some unknown reason there was a delay and a large amount of property was destroyed in consequence.

----The Adams House will be rebuilt immediately. Teams were engaged yesterday hauling lumber on the ground.

----For once mud was in demand. Large quantities were thrown on the burning buildings and much property saved by the application.

----So quick were some of the buildings burned that nothing at all could be saved. In one house, it is reported, a lady snatched her baby from the cradle and escaped, leaving all else to the flames.

----There is a strong feeling against Hepp.

----The burned district will soon be covered with new buildings of a better class generally than those destroyed.

----A fire-engine is wanted and will probably be purchased at an early day.

The Titusville Morning Herald, Titusville, PA 26 Feb 1873
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Transcribed by Linda Horton. Thank you, Linda!