Oakfield, New York Fire

May 11, 1895

BUFFALO, N. Y., May 11., -- The little village of Oakfield, Genessee [sic] county, was entirely destroyed by fire this morning.  Not a house is left standing.  The fields about the burning village are occupied by refugees, who saved nothing from the flames. Shortly after 3 o'clock this morning a telegram was received here asking for assistance, but none could be sent. The telephone and railway dispatchers offices are all burned out, and no wire communication can be had with the village.  The fire was started in the rear of Harris & Chapman's hardware store at 12:30 a.m., and burned until 3:30 o'clock.

It was reported early that there had been some loss of life, but later reports say that everyone escaped without injury.

Fort Wayne News, Fort Wayne, IN 11 May 1895

Among the buildings destroyed are:  Chamberlain's block, dry goods and grocery store; Weaver's furniture and undertaking establishment; H. C. Martin's dry goods and grocery store; the Arnold hotel; the Barnes House; Odd Fellows hall; Dr. Tugtuis' drug store and a number of dwellings.  The loss will be about $75.000.

Mansfield News, Mansfield, OH 11 May 1895

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