The biggest news in the January 13, 1916 issue of the Ridgeway Journal was a fire that destroyed four commercial buildings on the east side of Main Street and threatened several buildings and a home south of them. The fire was discovered about midnight on Thursday, January 6. The origin of the fire was never discovered because by the time it was found, two buildings, the Leazenby building and the Wymore building, which was occupied by the Noble meat market, were already in flames. The other buildings lost included the W. W. Johnson building, occupied by the Campbell Cash Grocery and the Frank Harrison Building. All four were reduced to ashes. Had there been a high wind that night, several homes and businesses south of the burning buildings, including the Journal offices, were in danger. The destroyed businesses were located on the east side of Main Street where the old Lions Hall and the Fire Department now stand. Thanks to Ed Yeater and the bucket brigade, the bandstand which “had a close call”, was saved.
These were some of the oldest buildings in Ridgeway at the time. The Harrison building had been moved to Ridgeway from Lorraine’s business district and was vacant at the time of the fire The Leazenby building had just been vacated by C. E. Switzer who was “indeed a lucky man” to not have lost his own business in the fire.
Ridgeway still had no fire department and relied on the bucket brigade to help quench the flames. “The attendance at the fire was slight. Many of our citizens did not arrive on the scene until the buildings were all reduced to ashes while a larger per cent of the population had ‘pleasant dreams’ through it all”. The article went on to say that “Every succeeding fire makes it more apparent that Ridgeway needs adequate fire protection.” and “Plenty of room on Main Street for some good brick buildings. Who’ll be the first to start the building movement.”
All four businesses had no or inadequate insurance. Noble Brothers were considering starting over as soon as they could find a building. H. G. Campbell was undecided at the time, but was back in business by the end of February and looking for new and larger quarters. A. C. Mintoyne had a small tin shop and living quarters at the back of the Campbell store and lost most everything. He also had no insurance and lost about $200 in tools and household goods.
