The Hotel Lorain covered by ice after a fire devastated the building on February 18, 1936. The fire occurred during an ice storm.

The Hotel Lorain was located on the west side of Broadway Avenue at its intersection with Seventh street. A fire truck is parked on Seventh street. The ladder of the fire truck is in full extension from the truck to the hotel roof.

Handwritten on the back of the photo is "Hotel Lorain Fire 1:23 AM Feb 18, 1936 Tuesday." The time given here is likely when the fire started, not the time the photograph was taken. The photograph was taken later in the day, sometime after sunrise.

"Rowley Collection" is stamped on the manila half-folder.