Two photographs from the Hamilton Spectator and the article which accompanied them in the afternoon edition, May 9 1947.

“”Two-Alarm Downtown Fire This Morning–Breaking out about 10 o’clock this morning, fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed the premises of the Hamilton Auto Supply Company, at the northwest corner of Bay and Cannon Streets, with estimated loss of $35,000. Five families living in apartments over the business premises were driven out by smoke and flames, losing much of their furniture and belongings. Dense smoke hampered the efforts of firemen to get the blaze under control and all equipment was still at the scene at noon.”

Photos courtesy PreVIEW, Local History and Archives, Hamilton Public Library.