Good Time Girls on Instagram: "#Onthisday in #Bellinghistory, August 29, 1894 The Tacoma Daily News reported on fires raging at Whatcom: “Small brush fires in the Eureka Addition have been fanned into a huge fire by the strong northeasterly wind. Early yesterday morning the flames bore down upon the city near the end of F Street. Citizens turned out and fought back the flames from the residences. The fire followed the Squalicum Creek bed towards the bay, and the bridge over the creek connecting the city with the Northwest Diagonal Road was destroyed. It was 350 feet long and 40 feet high, and cost $1000. The fire department was called out at midnight, and spent the night near the woods preventing the encroachment of the flames upon residences. Eldridge’s mansion caught from a spark blown from the burning trees nearly half a mile from the house at 10 am. It was soon enveloped in flames, only one hose cart being able to reach the scene. Before the water was turned on the fire was beyond control. The mansion was totally destroyed, only a small portion of the furniture being saved... It was the finest and largest house on the bay, containing 30 rooms. In the Eureka addition near the powerhouse, twenty houses were surrounded by fire, and the firemen worked steadily for twelve hours. Along the line of the Bellingham Bay & British Columbia to the Nooksack there is a continuous line of fire. Several small houses along the outskirts have been destroyed, but it is impossible to get full details. All communication with the country by the Guide Meridian and Northwest Diagonal roads is cut off by the burning of connecting bridges. A big fire is raging beyond Sehome Hill, and the city is completely enveloped. The schoolhouse and J.A. Cook’s house at Silver Beach have been destroyed. The electric power house is reported to be safe. The bridge across Little Squalicum is afire. The citizens are aiding the firemen everywhere. The fire department thinks it is under control.” Pictured is the Eldridge mansion, which burned, near Squalicum Creek. P.R. Jeffcott collection. #fire #forestfires #historicalfires #pnwfires #bellinghamwa #bhamwa #fireseason"

80 likes, 0 comments - goodtimegirlstours on August 28, 2023: "#Onthisday in #Bellinghistory, August 29, 1894 The Tacoma Daily News reported on fires raging at ..."