TERMINAL HOTEL, ATLANTA

Terminal Hotel fire

Aftermath

On May 16, 1938, fire broke out at Atlanta's Terminal Hotel - a blaze the Associated Press described as a ``flaming horror.''

Thirty-five people died. 

At least two victims were never identified, including a woman who checked in under the name of a guest's wife - while the real wife was safe at home.

The AP reported:

``The blaze broke out in the basement of the five story brick and frame building about 3 a. m., when most of its guests were asleep. Flames and smoke shot skyward and in a moment every floor was ablaze. Home to many railroad men, the $1 and up a day hotel was situated opposite the terminal station on Spring st., in downtown Atlanta. Traffic for blocks around was jammed as police roped off the area against danger of falling walls. Thousands, some of them relatives, pressed against the fire lines, thruout [sic] the day.

``Bellhop Charlie Labon, a veteran of 20 years service, was in the lobby when the blaze caught. He said he heard a kitchen messboy scream: `Oh lawdy, fire;' then there was a muffled blast below and flamed puffed upward.''

AP also said:

``One couple, awakened by the smell of smoke, escaped by climbing thru a second floor window and walking a narrow ledge 200 feet to a corner where a ladder was placed.''