Saturday, May 10, 2008

Arson Fire Destroys Barn In Pleasant Hall

On May 10, 1987 at 8:39 p.m. a Pleasant Hall firefighter was emptying trash when he spotted a barn fire to the rear of the station. Firefighters from seven companies were on the scene quickly and extinguished the blaze but not before it caused considerable damage. One firefighter was injured and treated at Chambersburg Hospital and released. Firefighters left the scene at 10:19 p.m. A damage estimate was not available. This was one of a string of arson fires in the area in a few week time period. The Vigilant Hose Company and the West End Fire and Rescue companies assisted at the scene.

This photograph ended up having a greater significance later in the year, does any one remember what that was?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Member of the Pleasant Hall Vol.Fire Dept. was arrested for arson, Spent time in jail for the crime.
We found several point of orgin inside the barn.

Brad Myers said...

That's true Wally, I just didn't want to put the guy or the fire service out on Front Street, that's why I ommitted it. I was actually looking for something else about the photograph pertaining to the people it.

Anonymous said...

Buzzzzzz ~ Wrong answer Wally !

Anonymous said...

ok,Washinger,Baker,?????

Anonymous said...

having to do with Randy O'Donnell and fire chief...

Brad Myers said...

Wally and no name you are on the right track, but you didn't win yet.

Anonymous said...

Was this the year that Washinger left to go with Crawford and Randy became Chief at like 22 YO?

Anonymous said...

That would be the only other thing that I would know,,,
Because I help Washinger investigate the incident,,right after that Chief Washinger left to go out West,,

Brad Myers said...

That is true Jeff left to go to work with Crawford and it is part of what I was looking for but there is a WHOLE LOT more to the people in the photograph than just that. Try asking Dad or maybe Randy they might know the answer. You may even try Dana.

Anonymous said...

so... i'm on the right track? could it be dealing with Randy's qualifications to be fire chief at a young age?
4thsgt

Anonymous said...

or.... Charles Myers given Chief Emeritus status with the Vigilants, and starts the Shippensburg fire safety task force…think this was his last fire as fire chief
4thsgt

Brad Myers said...

Sarge, it has nothing to do with Randy's qualificatins at a young age or the fire safety task force. There was allot of fires around that time period so Charlie caught a few more jobs before going out. It has to do with all three people in the photograph. I will give you guys another day or two and then post the answer.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Brad,,,

Brad Myers said...

The fire chiefs pictured in the photographs are Jeffrey Washinger, West End Fire and Rescue, Dana Baker, Pleasant Hall Volunteer and Charles Myers, Vigilant Hose Company. Before the year was over they all three veteran chiefs retired from their positions and were replaced with younger chiefs.

The first to resign was Jeff Washinger, in early June to accept a position as a fire investigator in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Randy O’Donnell was later appointed as his replacement. The next to retire was Charles Myers on June 30. Charlie was chief of the Vigilant’s for almost 20 years when he retired. Danny Byers was named the new Vigilant chief. On August 31 Dana resigned his position as chief that he help almost seven years. If my memory is correct I think his replacement was Roger Kibler. If I am wrong correct me it keeps me from having to look it up.

For those that may be wondering what Dale's thank you is for, it got the best of him and he called me last night to find out what made the photograph significant.

Anonymous said...

As a former member of PHFD you are right Roger did become chief, after Roger it was Denny Powell, then Dick Hershey and that brings us to Eric Varner

Brad Myers said...

Thanks for the reply former anonymous member, I forgot about Hershey being in as chief. See what happens I give them the answer and they clam up.

Anonymous said...

And I will say as a former member that I had the privlage to serve as A/C11 under Eric

wash said...

always nice to know that you are remembered in some way, shape or form. Thanks to my adopted son for bringing back some great memories. Be safe out there guys.
Wash