Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Barn Burns, Milk House Saved

On March 31, 1970 at 6:25 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to a barn fire at Shippensburg Star Route 2. Faulty electrical wiring sparked a blaze that caused heavy damage to a large frame barn. Lost in the fire were 25 tons of hay, seven tons of straw, some feed, grain and a grain drill. Firemen from four companies were able to save the milk house and remained on the scene almost five hours. Firemen pumped water from a nearby stream using an engine and portable pumps to fight the blaze. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm along with assistance from Newburg-Hopewell and Newville.

2 comments:

Sparky said...

OK I just have to comment. Today this would be at least a 2 alarm fire with 10 engines, 3 trucks, 2 rescues, and 8 tankers. And don't forget the ambulances and rehab. And what are those guys doing on the roof. Where is the Safety Office. Sorry Brad, it is just one of those days.

Seagrave said...

I`m not sure, but this may have been the Hale farm in Middle Springs.
I remember my brothers being on the call and them spending hours unloading hay from the barn. Once again a time when they used to save the barns by some back breaking work. Then again this is when you got 25-30 guys on a call from each station.