Cranford's biggest fire decimated its downtown business district in the pre-dawn hours of February 3, 1912. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in the blaze but the town's biggest commercial building, the Cranford Opera House, was destroyed. The building was constructed by J. Walter Thompson in 1892 and designed by Frank Lent. The owner was William Sperry. Tenants included clothing stores, a grocer and an ice cream parlor. The building was also the center of Cranford's cultural life with a music hall. Firefighters were praised for keeping the fire confined to the building. The Westfield and Elizabeth fire departments also responded.
Narration: Bernie Wagenblast
Editor: Michael Lerner
Music: [ Ссылка ]
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