An act of arson at the Bijou Theater behind stores on Main Street started the city burning on May 7, 1933. The alarm sounded in the evening, and firemen soon realized that a disaster was unfolding. Fire units arrived from neighboring towns to assist. Driven by wind, the fire quickly spread to many wooden structures on Main Street and beyond for nearly a mile. Around 130 buildings, including many Main Street businesses, homes, churches, and boat storage sheds, were lost in a short time. During the Depression, with banks closed, merchants quickly set up temporary businesses on "Emergency Alley," and Ellsworth soon began rebuilding its business center.