Today's aftermath—The main Holyoke Community College, the former Holyoke High building which was destroyed by fire Thursday, stands as a shell today as embers still burned within the building. This view is of the northwest corner of the building. The picture was taken from Beech and Hampshire Sts.
From the Holyoke Daily Transcript
January 5, 1968
Seek To Get Bigger, Better College in City;
Still Fight New Outbreaks of Disastrous Fire
Multi Alarm Blaze Gutted Main Bldg.
Ruined Building was Insured at $1,489,200
by Donald J. McSheffrey
Fire broke out again in the second floor ceiling on the northeast corner of the 71-year old Holyoke Community College main building about 9:30 a.m., today, requiring another pumper to be sent to the scene to battle the blaze with a two-and-one-half-inch line.
The new fire was burning fiercely, causing clouds of steam and smoke to billow hundreds of feet in the air.
Engine One from headquarters was dispatched to the scene at 12:20 p.m. today when flames also rekindled the Beech St. side of the second floor. With the addition of Engine One, five companies were pouring water on the still burning structure, 24 hours after the first alarm sounded.
The building was destroyed in a general alarm fire of undetermined origin Thursday.
The state fire marshal has been asked to investigate the cause of the fire, which broke out in the northeast attic of the building.
The building was insured for $1,489,200, according to the Ross Insurance Agency of 7 Suffolk St., who insured the structure.
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