This article is undated, however I did some research into the people mentioned in the article. It mentions that the library of the late Professor Packard was saved, and Alpheus S. Packard died in 1905. It also talks about a graduate student who's swift action helped extinguish the fire, Victor Emmel. Victor E. Emmel is mentioned in the Encyclopedia Brunonia entry on 'American Men in Science', and lists him as having received his Masters of Science in 1904, and his PhD in 1907, both at Brown University. The fire, therefore, must have occurred between 1905 and 1907.

The Encyclopedia Brunoniana entry for the Museum of Natural History proves my research to be correct, as "in 1906 it was reported: 'The requirements of the museum were met in an unexpected and unintentional manner, - during the spring term a fire, starting in the basement and almost immediately breaking out in the walls at the top of the building, scorched or burned much of the material in the museum cases and in the attic. ...' "

Newspaper Articles

Encyclopedia Brunoniana entry for the Museum of Natural History