In the early morning hours of February 1, 1900, fire broke out in the manufacturing district, impacting several small companies and a few larger businesses, including:

• J.P. Wolf & Sons, Tobacco Merchants
• E. Bimm & Sons, Grocers
• Benedicts & Co, Cigar Manufacturers
• The Dayton Paper Novelty Company

The Big Four Freight depot was located in the back, and had minimal damage. The office building was destroyed, but the slate roof prevented the rest of the company from more damage. There was an estimated $500,000 in damages to the district.

It took 3 hours for the flames to be under control, and there were many injuries:

• Night Watchman Snedecker was overcome by smoke and later found unconscious by other firemen.
• Another fireman, Louis Swaneger, was taken to his home, badly frozen.
• Three firemen, George Coy, George Nienaber, and George Griesheimer were buried when the east wall of the J.P. Wolf & Sons building collapsed. Nienaber and Griesheimer were not badly injured.
• Many other firefighters and volunteers were treated at a makeshift hospital located in a nearby home.