Firemen Rescue Three Kids

December 1, 1939 at 7:20 a.m. firemen answered an alarm of fire at the Legion Home and apartments on West King Street. A furnace malfunction in the basement of the Great Atlantic Tea Company sent smoke billowing into the upper floors causing the evacuation of many residents. Firemen wearing gas masks played water on the fire for over an hour before extinguishing the blaze. The fire was confined to the basement with smoke damage to the upper floors. One fireman removed three small kids from a third floor window over a ground ladder. Damages to stock and contents were unknown; damages to the building were estimated at $900. A delay in turning in the alarm occurred when the fire siren would not work and the bells had to be tolled. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.