1966 — Feb 4, Astor Hotel Fire and Destruction, downtown Green Bay, WI — 8

–8 AP. “Eight Persons Die in Green Bay Fire.” Monroe Evening Times, WI. 2-4-1966, p. 1.
–8 AP. “‘Everything in Flames,’ Hotel Guests Found.” Rhinelander Daily News, WI, 2-5-1966, 1.
–8 AP. “Green Bay Fire Traced To Closet.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI, 2-7-1966, p. 1.
–8 Jones, Jon C. “A brief look at the Hotel Fire Record,” NFPA Fire Journal, May 1981, p. 40.

Narrative Information

Feb 4: “Early Morning Blaze Destroys Downtown Hotel. 30 Guests Escape; Four Hospitalized Following Blaze

“Green Bay (AP) – Eight persons died today as an early morning fire destroyed the old three story Astor Hotel in downtown Green Bay. Thirty other guests escaped, several of them after being trapped for three hours in their rooms. Four of those rescued were hospitalized for smoke inhalation.

“The flames were extinguished about 7 a.m., and wrecking crews were summoned to begin taking down the ruins as soon as firemen finished their perilous task of removing bodies….

“The fire was reported at 12:30 a.m. Firemen, coated in ice, battled the flames in 15-degree cold and snow flurries. The roof fell in and the walls of the brick structure buckled as flames shot 60 feet above the roof.

“Firemen said the blaze apparently began in the rear of the first or second floor and worked its way up to the roof, where it traveled the length of the building.

“Cause of the fire was not determined. Fire Chief Dave Zuidmulder placed a tentative estimate of damage at $150,000. He was at Madison, some 150 miles away, when notified of the blaze, but raced back here….

“First of the victims to be identified was Mrs. Edna Colle, 38, of nearby Luxemburg, Wis. Mrs. Colle was identified by her husband, Peter, and a daughter, by means of a locket on her clothing. They said it was her custom to spend Thursday nights bowling in Green Bay, staying overnight at a hotel, and working during the day as a waitress. Luxemburg is about 15 miles from Green Bay.

“Three of the injured persons were rescued, after spending three hours in their rooms while flames crackled through the hotel.

“At least six persons climbed to safety from windows in front of the hotel.

“Firemen found an elderly man lying in a second-floor corridor when they entered the hotel some three hours after the fire began. He was taken to St. Vincent Hospital with other victims, whose conditions were not learned at once.

“Also hospitalized for observation was a youth in his late teens or early 20s. Firemen said the youth told them he opened the door of his second-floor room, saw flames and slammed the door. The youth said he had waited 2½ hours to be rescued.

“One of the 30 residents who fled the hotel to safety, John Cross, 49, said: ‘I don’t know what happened. It’s just lucky I’m alive. I crawled down those steps on my hands and knees. I pretty near choked to death.’ Cross’ room was on the third floor.

“Firemen…said the hotel at 205 N. Adams St. was about to topple….” (Associated Press. “Eight Persons Die in Green Bay Fire.” Monroe Evening Times, WI. 2-4-1966, p. 1.)

Feb 5: “Green Bay (AP)….Four Die After Jump.

“The bodies of two women and two men were found at the rear of the hotel at ground level. Fire Chief David Zuidmulder said they had jumped from the second floor into a shaft at the rear of the C-shaped hotel. Apparently, he said, they died while trying to break through a door leading to an alley.

“Police blocked off the ruins of the once-fashionable hotel, keeping everyone but investigators away from the charred hulk….

“Zuidmulder said the interior of the building was so burned out that it was impossible to determine immediately how or where the fire started.” (Associated Press. “‘Everything in Flames,’ Hotel Guests Found.” Rhinelander Daily News, WI, 2-5-1966, 1.)

Feb 7: “Green Bay (AP) – The fire that swept the once-fashionable Astor Hotel and took eight lives began in a closet where paint, varnish and cleaning materials were stored, authorities said. Fire inspector Millard Vander Kellen said the origin had been traced to the first-floor closet, but the cause was still undetermined. He said no evidence of faulty wiring had been found. There was no indication of arson, he added.

“The fire Friday raced up a stairway to the roof and quickly engulfed the 50-year-old hotel….

“The closet where the fire began measured 8×8 feet.” (Associated Press. “Green Bay Fire Traced To Closet.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI, 2-7-1966, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Eight Persons Die in Green Bay Fire.” Monroe Evening Times, WI. 2-4-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-7-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/monroe-evening-times-feb-04-1966-p-1/

Associated Press. “‘Everything in Flames,’ Hotel Guests Found.” Rhinelander Daily News, WI, 2-5-1966, 1. Accessed 5-7-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/rhinelander-daily-news-feb-05-1966-p-1/

Associated Press. “Green Bay Fire Traced To Closet.” Stevens Point Daily Journal, WI, 2-7-1966, p. 1. Accessed 5-7-2022 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/stevens-point-daily-journal-feb-07-1966-p-18/

Jones, Jon C. “A Brief Look At The Hotel Fire Record,” National Fire Protection Association. Fire Journal, May 1981, pp. 38-41.