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.