Fire Damages Garfield Street House

On December 31, 1891 at 2:00 a.m. the citizens of Shippensburg were aroused from their slumbers by the clanging of the fire bells. It was soon learned that the fire was in the John Hosfeld dwelling on East Garfield Street. Hose had to be laid from a plug on Orange Street to reach the blaze. At this time East Garfield Street was not in the borough so it had no hydrants. Carpet placed over a damper sparked a fire that destroyed a room and extended upwards in a party wall in the occupied two story frame double house. Most of the family’s belongings were removed from the house as firemen battled the blaze. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.

For the new year how about I get some of you to help me out by supplying photographs from past incidents or anything else around the fire stations in Shippensburg. All I will need is the image, digital or I can scan, information about it like date, time, location etc. And who to credit the photograph to. Your help will make this a better blog.

Thanks Brad

Garage Destroyed

On December 30, 1989 at 10:50 p.m. Hartman’s Garage 549 Centerville Road. Sparks from an electrical box ignited fumes from a cement chemical compound causing a fire that destroyed a business and damaged a home. The front of the garage was destroyed with extension to the rear roof. One civilian was treated at the hospital for second degree burns. Damages were estimated at $50,000. The Newville, South Newton Twp., Carlisle (article didn’t state which one), Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies battled the blaze.

51 Hogs Die In Fire

On December 29, 1985 at 3:30 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to 1472 Pinola Road for a building fire. A short in the electrical service led to a fire that damaged a 25 X 60 foot livestock shed and killed 51 young hogs. Damages were estimated at $3,300. About 60 firefighters from four companies were on the scene 1-¼ hours. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue and Pleasant Hall fire companies answered the alarm.

Newville House Damaged By Fire

On December 28, 1981 at 12:03 a.m. firefighters were sent to 20 Corporation Street, Newville for a house fire. An overheated flue pipe started a fire in a first floor wall that extended upwards before being brought under control by firemen. Firefighters from four companies were on the scene about two hours. Damages were estimated at $7-$10,000. The Newville, Penn Twp., Upper Frankford and Cumberland Valley Air wagon operated at the scene.

Boher Furniture Factory Damaged By Fire

On December 27, 1893 at 10:20 p.m. the cry of fire was again heard in town. It was soon learned that the fire was at the John E. Boher finishing rooms on East King Street. A fire caused by spontaneous combustion damaged a corner of the third floor finishing room. Both Hose companies attached to plugs and had streams on the fire in a short time. The Vigilant’s took a plug on North Penn Street laying down the alley to the rear and the C.V. boys took a plug on King Street in front of the Methodist Church. The fire was difficult to control with no ladders until the firemen were able to run a line inside. The building a three-story frame and its contents also suffered water damage. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

House Destroyed In Amberson

On December 26, 1969 at 10:00 p.m. Amberson Valley. An oil burner explosion sparked a fire that destroyed a large frame house. Firefighters were on the scene nearly five hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Fannett-Metal, Pleasant Hall, Fayetteville, Newburg, Franklin, Vigilant Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene. The Cumberland Valley community ambulance also answered one call for the day.

200-Year-Old Farmhouse Destroyed On Christmas Day

On December 25, 1950 at 1:15 p.m. firemen raced to Shippensburg R. R. 3, Sandy Mount orchard for a house fire. A fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed a 200-year log house and its contents. Firemen from four companies battled the blaze for over four hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, Letterkenny and Franklin fire companies answered the alarm. The Vigilant’s were called back the next morning to extinguish a rekindle.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

East King Street Home Damaged

On December 23, 1937 at 9:00 p.m. firemen responded to 419 East King Street for a house fire. A fire of undetermined origin damaged a wall in an occupied home. All the fire was in voids when the firemen arrived. The furniture and belongings were removed from the structure before the firemen began playing water on the blaze. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Faulty Oven Causes Fire

On December 22, 1973 at 3:35p.m. firefighters were sent to Shippensburg R.D. 3 the Mt. Rock Trailer Court for a mobile home fire. A faulty oven sparked a fire that caused extensive damage to the kitchen of an occupied mobile home. Firefighters were on the scene 1-½ hours. A family of four was displaced by the $3,000 blaze. The West End Fire and Rescue and the Vigilant Hose companies answered the alarm. The Cumberland Valley community ambulance also answered one call for the day.

Huckleberry Land Mobile Home Destroyed

On December 21, 1976 at 9:16 a.m. firefighters were sent to Shippensburg R. D. 2, Huckleberry land for a mobile home fire. A malfunctioning gas water heater sparked a blaze that destroyed an occupied mobile home. Damages were estimated at $12,000 in the blaze that displaced a family of four. Almost 35 firefighters battled the blaze under the direction of Chief Gerald Holtry. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue and South Newton Twp. fire companies answered the alarm. The Cumberland Valley community ambulance also answered one call for the day.

McCulloch Road House Burns

On December 20, 1983 at 9:00 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at Shippensburg RD 6 the McCulloch Road. A faulty installed wood stove sparked a blaze that caused heavy fire damage to an occupied 2-½-story frame dwelling. The fire damaged a first floor kitchen before gutting most of the second floor and attic. Approximately 50 firefighters from five companies had the blaze under control in one hour and remained on the scene until after noon. In the initial stages of the fire a manpower shortage was an issue as some of the firefighters were in Orrstown extinguishing a chimney fire. Water was obtained from a hydrant in Cleversburg. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue, South Newton Twp. and Newville fire companies answered the alarm.

Township Shed Destroyed

On December 18, 1963 in the morning hour’s firemen were sent to a shed fire at Shippensburg R. D. 2 close to the Rehoboth Church. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a small frame shed and its contents. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm under the direction of Chief Charles Mouer.

Truck Fire Couldn’t Be Extinguished

On December 17, 1975 at 5:32 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to a tractor-trailer fire at Rt. 174 at Exit 10. A tractor-trailer carrying aluminum waste materials caught fire. When firefighters arrived they feared the contents of the truck could have been explosive or that it could have been giving off noxious fumes. While Chief Charles Myers supervised the activities of the firefighters Chief Crawford Wiestling contacted the National Chemical Advisory Center to determine what measures had to be taken to deal with the incident. It was determined that the incident was not explosive since the materials were not in an enclosed container and that the smoke was not toxic. Since firefighters were unable to extinguish the fire with water, the trailer was moved to an open field about 5:40 p.m. to let burn. Firefighters returned to the scene later that night and again the next morning to attempt to stop the fire. The following day they returned again and were working to cut a fire break in the middle of the truck to stop the blaze. The fire was still burning when this article was printed in the local newspaper with no estimate of when it would burn itself out. A follow up article never appeared in the paper to say when the blaze was out. Almost 50 firefighters from the Vigilant Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm. The Cumberland Valley community ambulance made three runs for the day also.

House On Means Hollow Road Heavily Damaged

On December 16, 1958 at 6:50 a.m. firemen responded to the Means Hollow for a house fire. An improperly installed stovepipe sparked a fire that caused heavy damage to an occupied 1-½ story frame house. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose Company extinguished the blaze. Later in the day at 9:41 p.m. the Vigilant’s responded to the Walnut Bottom Road in the area of the dump for an auto fire.

Mainsville House Damaged In Blaze

On December 15, 1950 at 5:15 a.m. firemen were sent to Shippensburg R. R. 2, near Mainsville for a house fire. An overheated heatrola sparked a fire that damaged an occupied dwelling. The fire damaged the wall behind the stove and extended to second floor voids before being brought under control. Neighbors and family members formed a bucket brigade to keep the blaze in check before the arrival of firemen. Damages were estimated at $500. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm.

Early Morning Fire Damages House

On December 14, 1965 at 12:35 a.m. firemen responded to Shippensburg Star Route the James McCurdy residence for a house fire. A fire that started above the furnace destroyed two rooms and their contents. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to two rooms of the nine room 2-½-story stone house. The entire structure was damaged by smoke. Damages were estimated at $5,000. The Vigilant Hose Company battled the blaze. The Vigilant’s returned to the scene about 8:30 a.m. when a small fire rekindled around a windowsill. Later in the day at 2:30 p.m. all three Shippensburg fire companies answered a smoke investigation at the intersection of North Washington Street and East King Street. A trash fire was found and extinguished at that location. The Cumberland Valley community ambulance also made one run for the day.

Family Of Nine Homeless After Fire

On December 13, 1982 at 1:04 a.m. a 47 box was struck for a house fire on the Mud Level Road (just outside Oakville), North Newton Township. A fire caused by an overheated stovepipe started in the first floor and extended rapidly damaging most of the occupied 2-½-story frame house. A family of nine was displaced. Damages were estimated at $15,000. Firefighters from seven companies had the blaze under control in 30 minutes and remained on the scene almost four hours. The Newville, South Newton, Upper Franford, Newburg, Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Shoe Store Damaged By Fire

On December 12, 1895 at 11:00 a.m. an alarm of fire was reported for West Main Street and Bridges Alley, H. C. Walter’s Shoe Store. A fire that began in an overheated stove caused considerable damage to Mr. Walters’s stock. Damage to the shoe store was estimated at $1,100, damages to the second floor residence were estimated at $200. The fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Neon Clock Installed In Front Of Vigilant Station

December 11, 1933, does anyone remember the clock that used to be on the front of the Vigilant Hose Company building between the two bay doors? I remember one as a child. At a borough council meeting in 1933 on this date M. Garfield Barbour, president of the company asked councils permission to erect the clock on the front of the firehouse. The clock put up at this time was not the one I remember, as this one was neon light so it could be seen at night. The earliest photograph I have of the Vigilant’s with a clock is 1950 and it is the later clock that I remember.

Child Dies In Accidental Fire

On December 10, 1993 at 7:05 p.m. firefighters were alerted to a townhouse fire at145 Meadowcreek Drive, Hamilton Township Franklin County. A tablecloth to close to electric baseboard heat caused a fire that killed a three-year-old boy. The blaze destroyed one 2-½-story frame town houses and caused smoke and water damage to two others. Damages were estimated at over $180,000. Over 100 firefighters from 15 fire companies battled the blaze for nearly six hours. Four firefighters were injured. The newspapers did not list the responding companies but some of the 15 responding were the Franklin’s, St. Thomas, Chambersburg, Fayetteville, Letterkenny, Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Penn Street House Burns During Strong Winds

On December 9, 1876 in the morning hours firemen raced to Penn Street for a house fire. A fire of undetermined origin was discovered on the roof of an occupied frame dwelling. A strong wind was prevailing from the west threatening the other frame houses in the area. Firemen and citizens removed the belongings from numerous houses. The Vigilant and Cumberland Valley engines each secured water sources from wells and cisterns and did good work in keeping the fire from spreading. A damage estimate was not available. Temperatures were only six degrees during the blaze and the hoses quickly froze when the water was stopped.

Sawmill Shop Destroyed By Fire

On December 8, 1984 at 9:45 a.m. firefighters responded to a building fire at 2015 Orrstown Road, Forrester’s Sawmill. A cutting torch ignited gasoline sparking a fire that gutted the interior of a large one-story block building. Firefighters had the blaze under control in 20 minutes and remained on the scene about two hours. WEFR firefighter Randy O’Donnell suffered second-degree burns battling the blaze. Damages were estimated at $20,000. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Hall and Newburg fire companies answered the alarm.

Towing And Detail Shop Damaged In Blaze

On December 7, 2002 at 1:11 p.m. firefighters were sent to 408 S. Fayette Street, Shannon’s Towing and Detail Shop for a building fire. A fire caused by spilled gasoline caused heavy fire damage to the first floor of a large 2-½-story frame and masonry building. A couple of cars were also lost in the two-alarm fire that took 20 minutes to control. A damage estimate was not available. This same building burnt in the 1970’s(I didn’t feel like looking up the exact date, it burnt worse that time but only required the use of the three Shippensburg companies). The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue, Pleasant Hall, Newburg, South Newton, Newville and Franklin fire companies battled the blaze. Squad 15 was involved in an accident when they struck a car at the intersection of Orange and Fayette Streets while responding to the incident.

Shippensburg companies also answered a reported structure fire on the Walnut Dale Road and a working house fire at 2915 Roosevelt Drive on this day.

Fire Damages Mongul Home

On December 6, 1938 at 12:00 p.m. firemen responded to the Roxbury Road, just north of Mongul for a house fire. A fire that started in the area of the chimney destroyed two rooms on the first and second floors of an occupied house. Damages were estimated at several thousand dollars. Neighbors quickly carried furnishings from the home saving most and fought the blaze on the first floor with water from a nearby cistern until firemen arrived. The Vigilant Hose Company extinguished the fire.

Route 11 House Damaged By Fire

On December 5, 1970 at 3:15 p.m. firemen responded to house fire at Route 11, Shippensburg R. D. 1, near Foltz’s Service Station. A fire that was caused by a faulty chimney damaged a wall in an occupied 2-½ story home. Firefighters were on the scene two and a half hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant’s Stations 1 & 2 and the West End Fire and Rescue Companies answered the alarm.

At 4:11 p.m. the Vigilant Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies responded to a mountain fire at Shippensburg R.D. 2 near the Walnut Dale Speedway. The CV ambulance also answered one call for the day.

December 5, 2004 Jackson Gerhart, 65, died of his injuries at 5:17 p.m. at York Hospital. Jackson was injured on November 30 while helping the Chambersburg Fire Department at the scene of a house fire. Jackson was surrounded by his family and friends in his final hours.

Jackson had dedicated his life to the fire service having started his career as a volunteer with the Junior Hook and Ladder Company in Chambersburg. Jack was employed by the Chambersburg Fire Department for about two years before being hired in Washington, D.C. as a fireman where he worked for 32 years (most as the driver on 17 engine) before retiring in 1994. While in D.C. Jack was the secretary of IAFF Local 36 for 17 years.

While living in Maryland Jack was active with the Mt. Rainier Volunteer Fire Department and the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department serving as Assistant Chief and Deputy Fire Chief. After retirement Jackson returned to Shippensburg where he was an active volunteer with the West End Fire and Rescue Company and the Cumberland Valley Hose Company.

Jackson was a member of many other volunteer fire companies in the area including a life member of the Fayetteville, Pleasant Hall, Metal Township, West End Fire and Rescue and New Franklin Volunteer Fire Companies.

Jackson had a major impact on the careers of many young firefighters in the area, assisting them in getting career jobs and mentoring. Jack loved to help people and assisted numerous fire companies in getting started or anything else they needed. He was also very active in his church and delivered meals on wheels.

Jackson was well known for his large collection of fire toys. He loved photographing fire apparatus and assisted in numerous publications and books.

This is a post that is made every year and I will continue to do so as long as I publish the blog. I miss you Jack, you were a great friend.

Mid Day Fire Displaces Family

On December 3, 2004 at 12:30 p.m. Cumberland County 911 alerted firefighters to a mobile home fire at 217 Neil Road, Southampton Cumberland. An accidental fire possible started by a ceiling light/fan destroyed a mobile home displacing a family of six. Firefighter from four companies had the fire under control quickly and remained on the scene about 1-½ hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue and South Newton Twp. fire companies operated at the scene. Later in the evening all three Shippensburg Fire companies answered a furnace malfunction at 4386 Orrstown Road.

Township House Destroyed

On December 2, 1988 at 8:24 a.m. firefighters responded to a house fire on the Walnut Bottom Road (just past Leesburg), Southampton Township. A fire that originated in a faulty pipe to a wood stove destroyed an occupied 2-½-story brick and frame house. Approximately 40 firefighters from six fire companies had the blaze under control in 20 minutes and remained on the scene until 11:00 a.m. One firefighter was injured. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue, South Newton Twp., Penn Twp. and Pleasant Hall fire companies battled the blaze.

Fire Destroys Downtown Shed

On December 1, 1962 at 7:00 a.m. firemen responded to Box 222, 44-50 West King Street (now the post office) for a shed fire. A fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed a shed and its contents. Before being extinguished by firemen it badly scorched the outside of a garage at 52 W. King Street. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm. Firemen no sooner went in quarters when they responded to a furniture van fire at South Earl Street extended. The Cumberland Valley Community ambulance also made two runs for the day.