1981:  Smethport Landmark Hotel Destroyed

photo credit:  Smethport Fire Department Archives

    On January 6, 1981, the Hull's Hotel (a 102 year-old landmark located at 103 E. Main St.) was destroyed by flames early Monday morning.
    Fire officials reported only one person was slightly injured and that all nine residents of the hotel escaped the flames.  The only reported injury was received by the hotel owner, J. Norman Hull,Sr., who suffered burns, cuts, and bruises on both hands.  He was treated in the office of Dr. Fritz Guenter, a local physician.  Some of the residents escaped by jumping from windows onto a porch roof and then to the ground, according to witnesses.
    According to one source, more that $100,000 worth of antiques were lost in the blaze.  Smethport Fire Chief Harold Carter said that when his men arrived at the scene (about 2 a.m.) the fire already had a head start and flames were shooting out the front and back windows of the wooden three-story structure.
    The Smethport Fire Department were assisted by units form Port Allegany, Kane, Hilltop, and Norwich Township fire departments.  About 85 firemen used some 13 pieces of equipment to battle the intense flames, which several times shot part way across Main and Mechanic Streets.  In addition to the intense flames, the firemen had to contend with the snow and sub-freezing temperatures.


  photo credit:  Smethport Fire Department Archives
    Firemen watered down three nearby structures, although two buildings suffered some heat damage and broken windows.  Water was pumped from locations on Main and Water Streets and from Hamlin Lake.  Residents of south side of Smethport had little or no water pressure early Monday morning.  The water problems also forced the cancellation of classes at the Smethport Area High School.
    Carter reported that the cause of the fire has yet to be determined and said the State Police Fire Marshal from Ridgway has been asked to enter the investigation.  Smethport firemen finally left the scene about 2 p.m.  They returned again about two hours later to water down the debris and again about 8 a.m. Monday morning when debris flared up again.
    Also assisting at the scene were crews from the Bell Telephone Co., the Smethport Electric Department, and the National Fuel Gas.  Electrical and gas service were shut off the hotel.  However, a telephone company spokesman said that a cable containing 400 lines was out, leaving about 500 customers without service.  He expected telephone service to be restored by 6 p.m. Monday.  Also, the traffic on Main Street was rerouted to Water and King Streets during the fire and cleanup efforts.

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