Some time between 1880 and 1910 (I think), my Great Grandfather, whose
last name was Andrews, owned a new hotel in Philadelphia. It was a
grand structure and it had natural gas piped throughout the building.
For some reason a hotel worker lit a match in a closet and leaking gas
exploded causing fire, death and injury. The hotel closed, never to
reopen, and was used as a hospital for the wounded. This story was
told to me by my mother, granddaughter of the Hotelier Andrews. Can
you find any more information about this hotel and fire?

Do you know the name of the hotel? Your great grandfathers first name may help.

Well I'm trying to trace my family history. I am having little luck
with this line of the family. I know this: My grandmother, Ada Bonney
Andrews (b:18Jun1885 d:3May1957) was born in Meadville, PA. She had a
sister Dorothy about whom I know nothing. I don't know who her mother
or father were, and it's her father who was the holelier. I know this
isn't much to go on but it's all I have.

You can look through here to see if any of these sound familar. You
can choose your dates on the left side of the screen.

http://www.ushistory.org/philadelphia/timeline/1880.htm

I looked at every year from 1850 to 1900 and saw no sign of a fire in
a hotel. I think this is more difficult that I had imagined. Should we
cancel it?