CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The memorable Charleston fire of the winter of 1946 is known among older folks as the Rose City fire because it destroyed a building (among others) housing the Rose City Press printing company.

What stands out is the fact that the fire hoses created huge deposits of ice, which coated the scene -- including the firemen.

The contrast of fire and ice was astonishing as two of the buildings survived and the last one was demolished in the summer of 2012 (now a part of City National Bank.) This photo is looking east on Virginia Street near Hale Street.

Photo courtesy Betty Warner