Blue Front Restaurant Fire

Waupaca Record

July 13, 1905

THE BLUE FRONT RESTAURANT BURNS

Albert Hanson Barely Escapes With His Life

Loss of Stock is $800 – Building and Stock Insured

A disastrous fire occurred at 5:15 Tuesday morning when the interior of the Blue Front Restaurant was entirely destroyed. The cook, Albert Hanson was frying doughnuts when the boiling lard became ignited by the other burner of the gasoline stove and in an instant the room was a mass of fire. The stove exploding added fresh fuel to the flames. All of the exits were cut off and Mr. Hanson barely escaped with his life by jumping through an opening through which orders were served. The kitchen which was furnished with patent lath burned like tinder and although the fire department arrived promptly the devastation was already completed. By cutting a hole in the roof they were able to check the flames and the front of the restaurant was but slightly damaged by smoke. An old man was in the restaurant and kitchen two minutes before the accident. Had he remained his death would have been certain. The building was owned by Mrs. Geo. Hanson and was rented by Charles Chesley. The loss on the stock was $800. The insurance on both stock and building were carried by Alfred Johnson. $700 on building and $690 on stock. The cook lost a considerable amount of clothing that was hung up in the kitchen. No plans for rebuilding have been made thus far.