Fire At J.C. Rummel’s Dry Goods Store

On February 1, 1885 at 7:15 p.m. an alarm of fire was received for the J. C. Rummel Dry Goods Store at 21 West King Street. A fire that started in the area of a heat register over the furnace gutted the storeroom in the three-story brick building. Merchandise not damaged by the fire, suffered smoke and water damage, there was some extension to the second floor. Both hose companies were on the scene quickly playing two streams of water on the fire. The pipesmen of the Cumberland Valley D. W. Boher and Charles Freidinger of the Vigilant Hose fought their way into the burning mass through the heat and smoke, almost suffocating at times, until they reached the heart of the fire and never left their positions until the flames were under control. After one well was pumped dry and two sections of the CV hose burst causing a delay in firefighter a telegraph was sent to Chambersburg requesting assistance. The Friendship steamer was loaded and ready to leave when word was received that the fire was under control at 8:00 p.m. and their services would not be needed. Damages were estimated at $8,000. The Vigilant and Cumberland Valley Fire companies answered the alarm.