Family Of Three Die In House Fire

December 6, 1976 at 11:26 p.m., Rt. 616 four miles South of Shippensburg, Southampton Township Franklin County. A short in an outside fuse box sparked a fire that destroyed an occupied 2-½-story frame house and killed the family of three. The fuse box was old and designed for 60 amp fuses but had 120 amp fuses installed. More than 60 firemen from four companies battled the blaze for four and a half hours. Firefighter found the three victims in a line on the second floor apparently heading away from the fire. Neighbors attempted to gain entry by were driven back by the heat and smoke. According to Chief Wiestling firefighters were putting water on the fire seven minutes from the time of the alarm. Damages were estimated at over $25,000. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm. The West End Fire and Rescue Company also ran a trash fire and an auto accident the same day, the C. V. ambulance had four other runs.