Oakland Brickpile during the 1894 fire, September 23, 1894

People watching as fire consumes the Oakland Brickpile. The fire had begun around 5:00 p.m. in the waste chute which was in the middle of the building. The fire was kept from spreading using the fire hoses in the building but when a strong wind came through the fire overtook the building. The Oakland city fire department did not have sufficiently long enough hoses to reach the building. When the hoses were finally assembled, it was found that the hydrants could supply only about one sixth of the water that needed. The fire burned late into the night and the entire interior of the building was gutted. The only things salvaged were the scientific equipment and a few books. Father Thomas Sweeney of Saint Francis de Sales church braved the flames to take the Blessed Sacrament from the chapel and deposit it in his own church. The fire caused extensive damage and the College was forced to move back to San Francisco and to start a massive fundraising campaign for the repairs. Fundraising was needed as the College president, Brother Bettelin (1830-1920), forgot to renew the fire insurance. Source: The History of St. Mary's: 1863-1963 by Brother Matthew McDevitt.