Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1939, patrons of Marion's Lyric Theater were enjoying Clark Gable and Myrna Loy in the movie "Too Hot to Handle" when the fire started. Audience members were safely escorted out of the burning building by ushers Walter Miller, Tony Roskin, and Henry Sharp. While all left safely, three firefighters were injured when the roof collapsed. None of the injuries were serious.
The theater, located in the 200 block of West Fourth, had recently been remodeled for its lessee, Billy Connor, by its owner, Richard Sisson. Fire Chief Burr Hamilton reported that the source of the fire was faulty wiring in an unused attic.
Residents in adjacent apartments all escaped after hurling carpets and furniture to the street below. The Chronicle reported that a crowd of thousands gathered to watch firefighters battle the blaze until 1:25 am.
In an accompanying editorial, the Chronicle praised the role of the fire department in its efforts to contain the blaze, which was complicated by frozen fire hydrants and water pressure problems.
By William F. Munn, Grant County Historian
Marion Chronicle-Tribune Jan. 25, 1939
Thanks to those who posted pictures to "Disappearing Marion."
Moments in Grant County History originally broadcast on 11.10.2014.
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