Avalon, Catalina Island, CA Fire Destroys Hotels and Half of Town, Nov 1915
- California |
- Fires |
- 1915 |
- November |
- Feature
Incendiaries Are Responsible for Destruction City of Avalon
AVALON ABOUT WIPED OUT BY BIG FIRE THIS MORNING
LOSS IS ESTIMATED AT $1,500,000
Hotel Metropole Was Burned -- Other Hotels Destroyed -- Many Tents and Cottages Burned -- Flames Extended to Wharf -- Steamer Fought Fire
(By United Press Leased Wire)
AVALON, Catalina Island, Nov. 29. (By Wireless.) -- Half the town of Avalon, often called "the gem of the Pacific," was destroyed by fire early today. The wind died down at 9 o'clock and the small fire department, assisted by the boats in the harbor, was able to get the flames under control.
The Hotel Metropole, one of the best-known tourist hostelries on the Pacific coast, was entirely destroyed. It belonged to the Banning company, which controls the island, and was insured for $100,000.
One hundred summer cottages and tents were wiped out.
The Tuna club, mecca of fishermen from all parts of the world, is a blackened ruins.
The northern part of the business section, lying between the Grandview hotel and the Hotel Metropole, burned.
Fire broke out in the Grandview hotel at 3:45 this morning and in a few minutes the entire western section, mostly composed of light wooden structures, was a mass of flame. The fire swept on and enveloped the three-story Hotel Metropole.
Continued