Photos: Rocky Mountain News
On Feb. 17, 1932, fire broke out at the Barnett Building at 16th and Larimer streets in downtown Denver, engulfing the top floors in near-zero temperatures.
Eight firefighters and a watchman suffered burns and smoke inhalation, reports said. "Fire Chief Healy, veteran smoke eater and one of the best known firefighters in the country, narrowly escaped death," the Associated Press wrote.
Fire crews rescued two elderly men and a nurse by ladder and rope, The Rocky Mountain News said. Frozen hose spray glazed pavement and electric street car lines. Flames spread to the neighboring Golden Eagle Dry Goods Co.
Eight firefighters and a watchman suffered burns and smoke inhalation, reports said. "Fire Chief Healy, veteran smoke eater and one of the best known firefighters in the country, narrowly escaped death," the Associated Press wrote.
Fire crews rescued two elderly men and a nurse by ladder and rope, The Rocky Mountain News said. Frozen hose spray glazed pavement and electric street car lines. Flames spread to the neighboring Golden Eagle Dry Goods Co.
The News said "a considerable quantity of hose was destroyed" as firefighters battled the blaze with high water pressure. Chief Healy requested 7,000 feet - immediately. A prior hose order had been delayed for financial reasons. Denver and the nation were mired in an economic depression in 1932.
The News identified the injured firefighters as John Treckman, 30, of 2757 Curtis St.; Frank Antonio, 31, of 139 S. Kalamath St.; Walter T. O'Neill, 28, of 403 S. Downing St.; John Doherty, 30, of 343 S. Grant St.; Lieutenant William J. Schwairy, 35, of 2110 W. 29th Ave.; J. W. Watson, 27, of 107 E. Alameda Ave.; William Myers, 27, of 3312 W. 38th Ave.; C. H. Jansen, 30, of 1182 S. Washington St.
History shows downtown Denver was primed for fire in the early 20th Century, owning to antiquated building design, primitive fire protection systems and factories intertwined with hotels and other businesses.
Among other blazes:
- On July 8,1927, an early morning fire damaged the Broadway Theatre in Denver, the Longmont Times reported. The blaze started in the properties room and spread to the curtain loft before it was stopped. The adjacent Cosmopolitan Hotel sustained smoke damage.
- On March 19, 1928, Colorado House, one of the city's oldest hotels, was "partially destroyed" by fire, according to the Associated Press. Several people jumped from windows.
- On Sept. 6, 1928, a general alarm fire consumed to Loop Market block in downtown Denver, the Associated Press reported. Twelve firefighters suffered injuries and 10 others received oxygen at the scene.
