This photograph depicts the ruins of the New Auburn Fire as viewed from the origin of the fire at Pulsifer Street, looking towards the intersection of Broad and Mill Streets. On the left, the ruins of the Beth Abraham Synagogue on 2nd street are visible. In the background the Androscoggin Mill and gas works can been seen on the Lewiston side of the river.

The New Auburn Fire started in a wooden apartment building and spread quickly among the closely packed tenements which were primarily occupied by low-income mill workers. Some 442 families and 2,167 people were displaced by the fire, and much of the New Auburn neighborhood was destroyed.