House Destroyed, Six Displaced

On November 30, 1989 at 11:00 a.m. Franklin County Communications Center dispatched firefighters to 5341 Cumberland Highway for a house fire. A fire of undetermined origin did heavy damage to an occupied 2-½-story frame/blockhouse and business displacing a family of six. Damages were estimated at $80,000. Firefighters from nine companies were on the scene over three hours. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies assisted at the scene.

On this day in 2004 Jackson Gerhart a retired fireman from the Washington D.C. fire department and a Shippensburg volunteer was severely injured when he apparently fell from the rear of an engine and struck his head while attempting to lay a supply line on a house fire. Jack was flown to York hospital in serious condition. The alarm was turned in at 1006 hours for 541 E. Washington Street and gutted a second floor bedroom causing $10,000 in damages. This same post was made last year and will be made every year as long as this blog is up and running.