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• “blaze” ×
• 1883 ×

1. Chinatown Destroyed by Suspicious Blaze in Tacoma

   Twenty-five buildings consumed in a massive fire; arson suspected in the downtown quarter.

   Jan 4, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerTacoma, Pierce CountyExclusion & Resistance · Disasters

2. Fire Threatens Seattle’s Courthouse

   A late-night blaze at Slorah's malt house on Mill Street forced the evacuation of the jail and nearly consumed the county’s official records.

   Nov 9, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyDisasters

3. The Walla Walla Wooden Leg Incident

   A spectacular blaze in an Eastern Washington town ends with an unexpected, wooden-legged dance.

   Nov 4, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerWalla Walla, Walla Walla CountyDisasters

4. A False Alarm Reveals Spokane Has No Fire Department

   A burst of flame over Howard and Main sends a crowd running — and the paper demands a fire department before a real blaze eats the business district.

   Oct 13, 1883Spokane Falls ReviewSpokane, Spokane CountyCity Hall · Disasters

5. Major Fire Razes Ellensburgh Business District

   A late-night blaze destroys a prominent general store and several neighboring residences in the heart of the growing town.

   Sep 2, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerEllensburg, Kittitas CountyDisasters

6. Fire Ravages Olympia’s Government Buildings

   The Surveyor General’s office, the Land Office, and a historic church are destroyed in a devastating overnight blaze.

   Sep 14, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerMain Street, Olympia, Thurston CountyCity Hall · Disasters

7. The Deadly Consequences of 'Just for Fun'

   A sobering editorial on how boys' thoughtless pranks—like stretching ropes across sidewalks or lighting dogs on fire—result in lifelong tragedy.

   Jul 20, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King County

8. The Great Seattle Land Office Fire

   A devastating blaze sweeps through downtown, destroying irreplaceable public records and a local church.

   Sep 13, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerMain Street, Seattle, King CountyDisasters

9. A Domestic Worker's Near-Fatal Fire

   While caring for a child, a domestic worker is severely burned when her clothing catches fire; a bystander saves her by rolling her in the mud of Front Street.

   Dec 4, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerFront Street, Seattle, King CountyWork & Pay

10. Tragedy at a Remote Tie Camp

    Two children perished in a flash fire at a logging camp near Snoqualmie.

    Mar 21, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerSnoqualmie, King CountyDisasters

11. The Tragedy of the False Gold Rush

    An editorial on the human cost of feverish speculation and the empty promises of distant mining 'Eldorados.'

    Jun 13, 1883Seattle Daily Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyBoom & Bust

12. Spokane Has No Fire Department — Just a Few Ladders and a Lot of Luck

    After a string of chimney fires nearly take out whole blocks, the paper demands a bucket brigade before a real blaze wipes the city off the map.

    Nov 24, 1883Spokane Falls ReviewSpokane, Spokane CountyCity Hall · Disasters

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