The Great Seattle Fire began on June 6 , 1889 originating from an old carpenter shop on the corner of Front and Madison Street , known as the Pontius Block . Connected to the Pontius Block was the Denny Block made up of primarily wooden buildings which caught fire soon after it had begun . Historic hotels were destroyed in the fire such as the Rainier Hotel , the Rainier-Grand Hotel , and the Denny Hotel ( all being large wood-framed buildings ) . The fire ended destroying a total of 36 blocks and four of the waterfront wharves coming to a total of 116 acres of destroyed land at an estimated cost of $ 20,000,000
Great Seattle Fire
Great Seattle Fire
The Diller Hotel