The 1894 King-Quale Elevator Fire - Toledo, OH
N 41° 39.008 W 083° 31.963
17T E 289093 N 4614031
An 1894 fire along the river in Toledo, OH is the subject of this fire.
Waymark Code: WM15N7Y
Location: Ohio, United States
Date Posted: 01/25/2022
Views: 1
From the Ohio historical marker at the location, now a park:
On the night of January 3, 1894, Toledo's largest fire broke out in the massive King-Quale grain elevator. A westward wind from the Maumee River drove flames toward the center of Toledo's business district. The blaze destroyed several buildings including the Chamber of Commerce and the West and Truax building. Despite the best efforts of city firefighters using horse-drawn steam pumpers, the fire continued until a serendipitous shift in the winds allowed the firefighters to contain the conflagration.
The Toledo Fire Department's Captain James Fraser died fighting the fire. Fraser was among Toledo's many Irish settlers, arriving in the city in 1850 at the age of 14. He served his adoptive homeland as a soldier in the 130th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War and became a Toledo firefighter in 1872. Captain Fraser was last seen entering the burning elevator at the intersection of Water and Madison streets. Despite many days of sifting through the ashes and debris, his body was never found.
Type of Structure: Private Building
Fire Date: 01/03/1894
Structure status: Plaque
Cause of Fire:
The fire started the elevator of F. H. Quayles & Co, on the river, at the corner of Walter and Madison streets. An explosion of dust is thought to be the start of the fire.
Documentation of the fire: [Web Link]
Other: Not listed
Construction Date: Not listed
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