Laramie, WY Business Block Fire, Apr 1948

BLAZE AT LARAMIE RAZES ENTIRE BLOCK.

Laramie, Wyo., April 14. (AP) -- A fast spreading fire crackled through an entire business block early today in the downtown section of Laramie, site of the University of Wyoming.
Fifteen of 30 structures were unofficially reported destroyed by flames.
Discovered about 2 o'clock (MST) this morning, the flames were reported under control but not out three hours after they were discovered in the four-story brick W. H. HOLLIDAY Building.
Fire departments sped to Laramie from Cheyenne, Rawlins and Fort Francis E. Warren, in Wyoming, and Fort Collins, Colo., to help overwhelmed Laramie firemen and volunteers battle the blaze.
Troops from Fort Warren, 50 miles east of here at Cheyenne, National Guard members and Wyoming University ROTC students were pressed into service to prevent looting.
There were no early reports of casualties. Fifteen or 20 families lived in hotels in the flaming area. The Red Cross arranged to house them in a university dormitory.
Cause of the fire was undetermined. The HOLLIDAY Building, a Laramie landmark, houses a general merchandise establishment.

Amarillo Daily News Texas 1948-04-15
__________________

Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!