Avalon, Catalina Island, CA Fire Destroys Hotels and Half of Town, Nov 1915

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.

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