On June 6, 1889, a fire ignites in a Seattle woodworking shop
and sweeps 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 serves 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.
The blaze raced across the floor, which was covered in the
highly combustible mix of wood shavings and turpentine.
The fire quickly engulfed the wood-frame building, spread
to the neighboring Dietz & Mayer Liquor Store, and—now
fueled by alcohol—tore in all directions.
The majestic Frye Opera House, then the most expensive
building erected in the city, was in ruins within hours.
In less than a day, the fire swept through the city’s downtown, consuming nearly everything along its path, including mills,
warehouses, piers, and hundreds of businesses.
Seattle emerged more modern and resilient, with 465 new
buildings and a population increase of more than 30 percent
within a year of the fire.
