The Binghamton Clothing Company stood across the street when a fire began there on July 22, 1913, at approximately 2:25 p.m., becoming the deadliest fire in the city's history and claiming 31 lives. Nellie Connor, one of the first seamstresses hired and an employee of 31 years, stayed in the building after the fire broke out to guide people to safety, while Sidney Dimmock, a foreman of 16 years, led and even carried employees to safety; both died in the fire. The loss was estimated at $100,000, and no cause was ever determined. Coming after the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City that killed 146 people, this tragedy helped contribute to the evolution of modern fire safety throughout the state.