On January 23, 1895 at 10:00 p.m. fire station bells rang out alerting the citizens to a fire at the Metcalfe machine shop on Fayette Street extended. A fire that started in the area of the boiler destroyed the foundry, machine shop and blacksmith shop. The woodwork shop was badly damaged by fire. By the time the two hose companies reached the scene the fire had gained considerable headway. A plug was taken at Orange and Fayette Streets sum 700 feet away and another at Koser’s (I have no idea where this is) about the same distance away. The two companies attached their hoses together to reach the scene. This only left them enough hose to play two streams of water on the fire. Several attempts were made to enter the office and save the records but the smoke was too dense and the heat to great to allow it. Damages were estimated in excess of $26,000. Firemen were on the scene over two hours. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.
The Metcalfe Works were built in 1889 on the site of the Dykeman mill, known as the Cobweb Mill that burned about six years previous (that post has already been made).
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