Friday, March 12, 2010

Old African American School Damaged In Afternoon Fire

On March 12, 1998 at 1:15 p.m. firefighters were sent to 116 East Burd Street for a building fire. Faulty electrical wiring caused a fire in a 1-½ story frame house used by the church youth groups. In the 19Th century the building was used as a school for African American children. Fire damaged the rear portion of the building with the rest of the home suffering heat, smoke and water damage. Firefighters had the blaze under control in 15 minutes. Damages were estimated at $61,000. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm. Firefighters from co.'s 51, 52, 53, 54, 49, 48, 46, 47 and 11 also responded to a working barn fire at 645 Three Square Hollow Road at 2:58 p.m. and the Vigilant's responded to a structure fire at 19600 Amberson Road at 6:13 p.m.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brad, if I do remember correctly this fire was right behind the fire house. As we stretched a line off E252 through the building this door opened up. Jack was in the door and said, its back to the left.

WMIT

Anonymous said...

There was an addition in the back that we also had trouble making access to. We thought we had the fire knocked, but had another room going. I remember Jack grabbing me by the collar and saying "Mark, the back of the place is off."

Another thing I remember that I haven't heard in a while, saws running above us very early in the fire.

Cleck