Firemen fighting August 25, 1907, fire, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Shortly before 10 pm on Aug. 25, 1907, an explosion was heard in Cedar Falls. Three brick buildings on the northwest corner of Third and Main streets had been blown to bits, and fire was raging. Citizens and 88 volunteer firefighters rushed to battle the blaze which destroyed numerous businesses. The explosion originated in George Sheerer’s hardware store, believed to be caused by a gas leak that ignited dynamite sticks stored in the basement. The building housing the Boston Store owned by the Bennison brothers was also destroyed as well as the building housing the Willard & Alexander Clothing Store. Total estimated cost of damage ranged from $125,000 to $150,000. 1907 postmark. Title supplied by cataloger.