Spokane's New Municipal Building Lost in Fire
The nearly completed city hall, a $100,000 project, was gutted by a blaze that started from a plumber's tarpot.
The story, cleaned up
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Spokane's new city hall, which was almost completed, was burned this afternoon. Lath had been put on preparatory to plastering, and slate was being put on the roof. The fire started on the fifth floor, presumably from a tarpot being used by plumbers and gasfitters, and in three minutes the entire interior was in flames. The workmen escaped by jumping, only one being injured. The fire was confined to the main structure, the jail and fire department annex being only slightly damaged. The main structure was consumed except the walls. It is believed the foundation and first-story walls can be saved. It was a five-story structure, costing $100,000. The damage is estimated at $45,000.
“In three minutes the entire interior was in flames.”
Building fires caused by construction accidents were a common catastrophe in the rapid growth years of Washington's cities. Today, Spokane manages such risks through strict fire codes, but the sight of a half-finished civic monument going up in flames remains a gutting blow for any growing municipality.
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