The Green Lantern Fire
From, "Back in Time: Feb. 7, 1947" by Jeff Wilkin, Gazette, unknown date.
In 1947, Glenville fire destroyed popular nightclub.
Blaze claimed The Green Lantern on Route 50
The Green Lantern had never burned brighter. Or hotter.
On Friday, Feb. 7, 1947, the famous Glenville nightclub on Route 50 near the town's High Mills section was destroyed by fire. The blaze attracted dozens of firefighters and hundreds of spectators.
John Marcella, a part-owner of the Lantern, saw smoke and flames in the ceiling near the stage at about 7:30 p.m. He called a neighbor, and the two men tried to solve the problem with fire extinguishers. Marcella said the fire was nearly out when East Glenville firefighters arrived. The trained men took over.
But the fire had not been extinguished. Flames spread rapidly, and firemen once again tried to knock them down. Strong winds worked against them. Sparks showered the area and high-voltage powerline burned and fell to the ground, sparking blue flames. Pieces of red-hot metal were blown along the highway as the building's walls fell to the ground. Bottles popped inside the Lantern and could be heard outside.
More Firefighters
Meanwhile, more firefighters turned out for the night. Trucks from Schenectady, Ballston, and Ballston Lake pulled up. Firefighters with portable water pumps climbed nearby roofs and prepared for flying sparks. The first water tank truck arrived at 8:20 p.m. By 8:45, three walls of the building had collapsed. At dawn, only the one wall, a chimney and smoldering ashes remained.
The place had been built in 1924 and first operated as a nightclub by Charles Bieber. He owned the business until his death in 1942. The club was vacant until 1944, when Marcella and Frank DePaula bought the building. They redecorated and remodeled the club.
Damages were estimated at $73,000. The Green Lantern had been open during weekends only. Marcella had planned a nightly schedule beginning March 17, St. Patrick's Day.
Ruled an Accident
The fire later was ruled accidental. Because black smoke had been seen pouring from the club chimney days before the fire, firefighters figured a faulty oil burner caused the disaster. Faulty wiring and sparks from the club chimney or a neighboring chimney also were considered.