This article, originally published on September 1, 1853, was found in the 1901 history of the town of Dayton, NY. It recounts the destruction of the New York and Erie Railroad depot in Dayton, NY.
From the Independent Chronicle, Gowanda, September 1, 1853.
About 9 o’clock on Monday evening, we discovered that a conflagration was in progress, south of our village, and immediately started to discover its whereabouts—which proved to be at Dayton Depot. The fire originated in one of the wood-sheds attached to the Depot and was very soon beyond the control of human power. The Depot was soon in flames and so rapid the progress of the destroying element, that there was hardly time to save the freight, merchandise, flour salt, etc., in store; fortunately however, the amount was small, and resolute hands soon rescued the bulk and placed it at a safe distance from harm. The entire line of sheds, covering a large amount of wood were soon wrapt in flames, and a heat created so intense, that the piles east of the track soon became ignited and added still more to the already sea of fire. The scene was, truly, sad, yet magnificent in the extreme. The Eastern and Western Express trains, due about 12, were detained some time, until the fire had somewhat spent its fury—from want of materials—it being considered rash by the conductors, to pass such a barrier of flames. The iron on the main track was warped and bent very much out of shape, from the effect of the heat; the switch track, however, did not suffer materially. It is estimated that some 1,500 or 1,600 cords of wood were destroyed, about 100 cords of which had not been measured and accepted by the company, and consequently such loss must fall on individuals. The entire loss is estimated at about $6,000.
Source: Shults, Charles J. “Historical and biographical history of the township of Dayton, Cattaraugus County, New York : comprising the villages of Cottage, Wesley, Markham, Dayton, South Dayton, and Fair Plain.” 1901. p. 37. Found on the Internet Archive.