Fire Memorial
On March 31, 1954, an intense fire broke out in the wooden annex of Cleveland Hill Elementary School. Ten sixth grade students died on the scene and five more died in the following days. We are committed to keeping the memory of these children alive. We welcome you to explore the educational resources provided below.
Primary sources - Newspaper articles from Consider the Source NY
Map of Cheektowaga from 1953 for reference
Teaching ideas using primary sources
Fire and Aftermath and Memoirs of Survivors
This website was maintained by Cleveland Hill graduate Edward Marek. The site is no longer live but is archived by the Wayback Machine; the archive is linked above. These pages may take extra time to load so please be patient.Buffalo News article March 31, 1997 (Internal link for current staff and students) - Memories from survivors, including teacher Melba Seibold
Cleveland Hill - Legacy of Greatness
The "Legacy of Greatness" Video created by Mr. Scott Przybysz as an inspirational video to all students and graduates of Cleveland Hill Union Free School District, Cheektowaga #3. WE ARE CLEVE HILL
District 60th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony video - March 31, 2014
Reading of the Names
At the conclusion of the Remembrance Ceremony in 2014, Class of 1960 member Dick Odien reads the list of Cleveland Hill Elementary School children who were in the music room at the time of the fire to the annex in 1954.Senator Timothy Kennedy Honors 60 Years Since the Fire March 31, 2014
Buffalo News article March 7, 2015 (Internal link for current staff and students + full photo with caption) - Exhibit about the fire
Buffalo News article March 31, 2015 - Safety Out of Tragedy
WBFO story March 26, 2018
Buffalo News editorial March 14, 2024 (Internal link for current staff and students) - A 70-Year Old Tragedy Still Evokes Somber Memories, by Barbara Blackburn
Buffalo News article March 26, 2024 (Internal link for current staff and students) - Recalling Fatal Fire with Barbara Blackburn, class of 1960
District 70th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony video - March 27, 2024
Photos from the 70th Anniversary Ceremony taken by Rick Penny