The Valencia Street Hotel sank one story into the filled-in swamp known as Lake McCoppin. The hotel was on the west side of Valencia Street between 18th and 19th streets. This photograph was taken from 19th and Valencia and looks north. Up to 200 people may have died in this hotel. Many drowned because a major water main broke as the hotel sank. One fire engine stopped by to assist with the rescues until it was called to the Hayes Valley fire.

Citizens progressively tore apart the structure and rescued as many trapped victims as possible until the rescuers were driven away by the fire.

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