Crashing of the walls could be heard for blocks away as well as what were described as small explosions. Northern Indiana Public Service Co. employees had the hazardous task of cutting off five gas lines leading into the structure. County units answering Warsaw's call for assistance included departments from Winona Lake, Claypool, Silver Lake, Mentone, Leesburg, Atwood, Syracuse, North Webster, Burket, Milford and Etna Green. The City of Warsaw, its entire community, today owes you a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid. You many volunteers, who came from near and far to save our city's downtown business section from possible total destruction will never learn our full appreciation.
Wards are impossible to describe it.
When we witnessed glowing embers showering the rooftops of many downtown buildings, we braced ourselves for the worst. You saved our city. We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. Be sure to read article titled History of Old Opera House , published same day.