One of the first few Fire calls Montour had was back in 1870, when four store buildings caught fire set by lightening. July 27, 1906 a restaurant that sat South of the railroad tracks on Main Street caught fire and spread rapidly to the other buildings. Immediately upon discovery of this fire it was beyond control. The restaurant was connected to three other buildings all belonging to Mr. Ruggles
all being attached to one another. The first floor was occupied with a stock of millinery, and dressmaking parlors. Alonzo Hayes lived in the rooms upstairs. The building to the North of the restaurant was the shoe shop and dwelling of Walter Curphy. The adjoining building was unoccupied. When the restaurant caught fire attention was given to buildings endangered by flames spreading. The hotel across the street from the restaurant to the North caught fire suffering only slight damage. To the corner East of the First National Bank building caught fire due to how intense the heat from the restaurant was. The Chief fought this fire went on to save it from destruction. Had this building burnt the entire business portion of Montour on both sides of the street, together with lumber yards, the depot, stockyards, machine shop, a furniture store, blacksmith shop and various residences would of been swept away. All the shingle roofed buildings to the East and Northeast were in danger. The wind carried wood shingles and embers over the warehouse. The roof of a resident was in flames and spread Eastwards over the other buildings. Some of the property inside was saved these three buildings were also destroyed. Eight buildings were consumed as well as personal property.
