Damage to the buildings along Pearl Street in the city of Ishpeming in 1949 is pictured. (Photos courtesy of the David Dompierre family via the Ishpeming Historical Society)

ISHPEMING — It was matches that caused the fire on Aug. 2, 1949. Not children playing with matches, however, but matches placed on the floor to dry.

“It has been definitely determined, according to Fire Chief Arthur Brown, that the fire which gutted five buildings on East Pearl and First streets yesterday morning started on the first floor of the Leo Tousignant warehouse and was caused by matches. The officers found that a quantity of matches soaked in water which flooded the building last Thursday night, had been placed on a furnace register on the first floor to dry. “ (Mining Journal, August 3, 1949)

“Coming on the heels of last week’s torrential rainfall that caused thousands of dollars damage, fire gave Ishpeming another serious blow this morning when it gutted half a business block at the corner of Peral and First streets.

The loss of five buildings, practically destroyed by the flames; merchandise, equipment and furniture probably will total considerably in excess of $100,000.

The fire broke out about 7 or shortly after the Ishpeming fire department receiving the alarm at 7:10 am, and before it was brought under control at 10:30 this morning, the following buildings had been practically destroyed:

The Economy Food Market owned by Herbert Medlyn, an office building occupied by the Meyer Construction Co., The Leo A. Tousignant wholesale candy and tobacco warehouse, Bjork’s funeral home and a brick building on First street behind the funeral home, used for storage by that establishment and by Bob’s Heating Service, which is owned by Robert Crothers. ” (Mining Journal, August 2, 1949)

“Also destroyed were the Albert Hooper law office, Bea’s Beauty Shop, operated by Mrs. Beatrice Skoog; apartments occupied by Mr. Steele and Mrs. Lousie C. Hosking and a room rented for storage space to Mr. and Mrs. Gould Lawry who live on Maurice street. These were located upstairs over the Economy Food Market.

The Lyle F. Cossette apartment over the Tousignant warehouse was lost, as were the apartments occupied by Mrs. Eli Merrila and Mrs. Albert St. Onge on the second floor of the brick building on First street. (Mining Journal, August 2, 1949)

The fire quickly spread and not much was saved.

“Very little furniture or merchandise was saved from any of the business establishments or upstairs apartments. Mr. and Mrs. Cossette, asleep when the fire started, fled into the street in their night clothes, carrying only part of their bedding. Mr. and Mrs. Lawry, who were married recently, lost all the wedding gifts and furniture they had stored in the room over the Economy Food Market.” (Mining Journal, August 2, 1949)

“The downtown business district was without lights during most of the morning after an power line running through the alley connecting First and Second streets was cut to prevent damage to power facilities.” (Mining Journal, August 2, 1949)

“American Red Cross officials today were continuing to shape a rehabilitation program for the seven families whose living quarters, furniture and clothing were lost in the fire that gutted a section of Ishpeming’s business district yesterday.

Miss Beth Olmsted, Red Cross field representative; Philip B, Spear, Jr., chairman of the Marquette county chapter, and Mrs. Edith Savage, executive secretary of the chapter, spent yesterday afternoon helping those families and Mrs. Savage was to return today to continue the assistance effort.

City crews were busy today cleaning up debris left on streets and roads by the five-building fire.

Damage to some of the buildings was not as great as first believed. The Economy Food Market loss will not be as heavy as was thought yesterday afternoon, since much of the stock was saved and the main floor of the building is in fairly good condition.

Although damaged, the main floor of the Bjork funeral home is not destroyed. No definite plans for rebuilding have been made by Vining L. Bjork, owner, but the business will be continued for the present through use of Mudge’s and Fassbender’s funeral home facilities.” (Mining Journal, August 3, 1949)

The strike at the Gossard corset factory was ongoing at the time, but the fire eclipsed that for a brief period. Only one person was injured, Arsene Tousignant was close to where the fire started and received severe burns in trying to escape the building.

Four of the buildings fronted Pearl Street and the Agrella brick building housing the plumbing shop of Robert Crothers fronted First Street. The area was rebuilt and is once again a part of the Ishpeming business district.