On June 6, 1889, a fire ignited in a Seattle woodworking shop and
swept through some 100 acres, destroying much of the city’s
business district and waterfront.

The Great Seattle Fire culminates in losses estimated at $20 million
—and served as a turning point in the city’s history.

The fire started shortly after 2:30 p.m. when a pot of heated glue at
Victor Clairmont’s woodworking shop in the Pontius Building on
Front Street (now First Avenue) and Madison Avenue burst into
flames.