FOREST FIRE IN CINCINNATI Dec 2, 1904 news

Cincinnati had a genuine forest fire Thursday that for several hours threatened disaster. During the early hours of the afternoon more than two acres of woods were a seething mass of flames that destroyed shrubs, woods, trees and all vendure in a manner positively alarming to the astonished residents of the neighborhood who had never seen a forest fire. The fire was in the woods alongside the gold links of the Cincinnati Gold club on Grandin road. The stretch of woods affected lies between Bedford avenue and Observatory road. The long continued drouth, which had rendered everything dry as tinder, is the cause of the fire.

Thursday morning the flames broke out in the thickest part of the woods. At first little attention was paid to it, but as the fire area spread some one notified the fire tower, and the Engine Company 31 was send to the place. Within half an hour Company 31 called for reinforcements and Company 32 was sent to aid them. With these two companies working their hardest, the fire continued to make headway, and soon a large portion of East Walnut Hills was attracted by the great volumes of smoke that rolled up high then slowly settled like a blanket that shut out light, making the neighborhood almost as dark as night. In addition a sheet of flames could be seen occasionally as the fire reached a tree and shot up consuming branches and the few remaining leaves, all so dry that they burned as fast almost as powder. There was danger of sparks from the fire floating over to houses an starting them to flames, so further aid for the firemen was asked, and Company 18 was sent from Eastern avenue to join in the fight of water against fire.

It was late in the evening when the first was considered under control. Hundreds of persons attracted by the usual spectacle of burning trees and shrubbery gathered and watched the firemen at work. The golf links of the Cincinnati club are considerably damaged by the fire. Fortunately no residences were located at a distance shorter than several squares from the fire.

Two days ago there was a similar fire though considerably less in extent, further up Grandin road, in the rear of Mr. Albert Trevor's home. That fire burned several hours, and for a time the Trevor residence was in danger, but it was extinguished without harm. Throughout all the suburbs general alarm is felt because of the long protracted drought, and the people living near woods or forests are watching closely for the first indication of fire. The danger will grow greater each day unless a bountiful rain comes soon.