Greensburg, PA fire, Dec 1886

The Laird house and nine other buildings at Greensburg, Pa., were burned yesterday morning. The losses aggregate $100,000.

The Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI 31 Dec 1886
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Ten Buildings in Ruins at Greensburg, Pa. - A Tannery Consumed - Minor Burnings.

OTHER FIRES

AT GREENSBURG, PA.

GREENSBURG, Pa., Dec. 29. - A conflagration at Greensburg, Westmoreland County, this morning, destroyed one of the finest blocks in the city, and for several hours threatened destruction of the entire business portion of that thriving place. The fire was discovered at 2 o'clock, and is supposed to have originated in Temple's hardware store. The fire apparatus was wholly inadequate, and the flames quickly spread to the adjoining buildings. The citizens worked heroically to stay the progress of the fiery elements, but it was not until 6 o'clock this morning that the flames were under control. Ten buildings were consumed, including the Laird House, Temple's hardware store, old Press office, Caleb Stark's dwelling, and four stores. The Laird House was the largest and finest hotel in Greensburg. It was a brick building, four stories in height and finely furninshed. The guests were all sound asleep when the fire started, and many of them barely escapted from the building in their night clothes. The loss is estimated at from $50,000 to $60,000. No one was insured.

The Daily Inter Ocean, Chicago, IL 30 Dec 1886
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Transcribed by Tim Taugher. Thanks, Tim!