On This Date in Minnesota History: February 4

February 4, 1914 – Six persons are known to be dead and ten seriously injured as a result of the burning of the Kelliher Hotel early this morning. The hotel was built in 1911 at a cost of $18,000 and comprised 50 rooms. It was a frame building.

There are several people who cannot be accounted for, and two men are believed to have perished in the flames who had not registered.

Many travelling men were guests of the hotel, and were forced to jump from the second story windows.

The fire is believed to have started in the hotel furnace and spread throughout the building so rapidly that shouts were the only warning that could be given the sleeping guests.

All means of escape by way of the stairs was completely cut off soon after the fire started and those who reached safety did so by jumping from the second and third floors.

The fire department was powerless in fighting the flames and devoted their time to rescuing lodgers.

Only a few of the lodgers had an opportunity to dress, most of them jumping clad only in their nigh clothes and outer garments.

The building was a total loss.

The Bemidji Daily Pioneer; Six Men Meet Death in Early Morning Kelliher Hotel; Ten are Injured. Flames Start From Furnace Room And Sweep through Newly Constructed Building At Rapid Rate. Several Hurt in Jumping. Escape By Stairs Impossible And Lodgers Forced to Jump From Second And Third Floors.”; Feb. 4, 1914; p. 1.

The Kelliher Hotel
http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/Kellih53.gif

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