The West Hotel opened its doors in 1884. It stood at the corner of Hennepin Avenue and 5th Street and was considered the fanciest hotel west of Chicago. The West Hotel had 407 luxury rooms, 140 bathrooms, and a lobby which was advertised to be the largest in the country.
On January 10, 1906, a fire started in the first floor packing room of the West Hotel and spread to the elevator shaft where the wood within the shaft was quickly engulfed in flames.
The flames shot up to and spread across the seventh floor which then filled with heavy smoke. When the hotel fire alarms sounded, panic ensued and guests ran throughout the halls to escape the smoke and flames.
Eight persons perished in the fire. Amongst the dead was Minneapolis Hook and Ladder, Truck #1, Captain John Berwin. While attempting the rescue of Mrs D.B. Barlow of Los Angeles, Captain Berwin fell to his death.
Twelve persons – eleven guests and one hotel maid – were badly injured in the fire. Injuries ranged from broken bones to severe cuts from flying glass to exhaustion due to smoke inhalation.
Minneapolis Police Officers were at the scene to provide aid and help evacuate hotel guests and employees to safety.
In the photograph above, Minneapolis Police Officers work to remove the bodies of those who perished in the fire.
Photograph courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Story compiled from Associated Press article of January 10, 1906