This image is from a Cleveland Press article on April 15, 1899, that covered the fire. The caption reads: "When the walls of the Comey & Johnston Building fell a score of firemen mounted the mountain of hot debris, and from that position fought the fire in the rear of the Hart block." The total loss from the fire amounted to nearly a million dollars. Luckily, for Hart & Co., books and most valuable goods were taken out of the store. Goods on the lower floor were covered with smoke or soaked in water; the estimate of the stock was set to be around $300,000, of which $200,000 was insured. Furthermore, at least six people were injured in the fire. Of the six, two were seriously burned: firefighter Frank Murphy and Mrs. Mary Mylett, who was noted to be at risk of dying from her injuries. No deaths were confirmed but it was stated that it was possible there were fatal injuries. | Date: April 15, 1899 | Source: Cleveland PressDownload Original File
