Walnut Bottom Garage Burns

On May 31, 1983 at 11:56 a.m. firefighters were alerted to a garage fire in Walnut Bottom. A 28 by 30 foot two-story frame garage along with a 1974 Bronco, 1968 Pontiac and a 1975 Kawasaki motorcycle was destroyed. A nearby shed was also damaged in the blaze. The damage estimate on the buildings was $5,000, no dollar loss on the contents were given. A cause was not available. Firefighters from four companies had the fire under control in 10 minutes and remained on the scene for over an hour and a half. The South Newton, Penn Twp., Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Shed Destroyed Near Orrstown

On May 29, 1972 at about 6 p.m. firefighters were sent to the Harold Cohick property, Orrstown R.D. 1 for a shed fire. The occupant was burning trash when the wind fanned the flames into a shed that was in the process of being torn down igniting it and damaging another nearby shed. The West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose and Pleasant Hall fire companies answered the alarm. The CV community ambulance also made one run for the day.

WEFR's 1951 Ford Oren

Once again I am at a loss for a post. The only major incidents I have in the database for this day were 1923 and 1996; they were posted the last two years. Unfortunately I do not have the summer months completed or anything from the last few years. I hate to continue posting just WEFR apparatus but that is what I have completed at this time.

In October 1958 the company purchased a 1951 Ford Oren engine from the Delta Cardiff Volunteer Fire Company in York County, Pa. for $3,000. This would be the first rig the company purchased that modern and fairly new. The engine was equipped with a 250-gpm-power take off Hale pump and carried 800 gallons of water. The unit was painted red at the time of purchase and remained that way with just minor changes to the lettering. The rig had two booster reels with 200 feet of booster line on each, a 60-watt radio a generator for lighting and carried foam. The rig carried the radio designation 15-1. At an unknown date, believed to be August or September 1951the company sold the engine to the newly formed North Middleton Fire Company in Cumberland County, Pa. I never found documented proof but older members say the rig was sold to pay bills, it was replaced with an older open cab engine. Supposedly some members were angered over this move and quit the company. A few years later (exact date unknown) North Middleton rolled the engine over responding to an alarm and destroyed the unit. Years ago repeated attempts to get information on the unit from North Middleton by the late Jackson Gerhart and myself went unanswered. If anyone out there can help, even just the year of the accident I could pull the microfilm and fill in this information.

WEFR’s 1948 Cadillac Ambulance

The only major incidents to occur on this date were in 1910 and 1967 and they were posted the last two years.

WEFR purchased this ambulance from the Cumberland Fire Company, Carlisle, Pa. The amount the company paid for the unit is unknown. It is believed that is was purchased in late 1956 or January 1957. It was first mentioned at the company’s regular monthly meeting February 4, 1957. The ambulance was all white when purchased and remained that way while in the company’s possession. The unit replaced the 1947 Buick ambulance and became the third ambulance the company owned in their short history. Sometime in 1958 the unit was sold to the Lower Allen Township Fire Company in Cumberland County, Pa. The exact date it was sold and the amount of money the company got for it is unknown. This would become Lower Allen’s first ambulance and the last for West End. While in Lower Allen’s possession the fenders were painted red. It is unknown what happened to the unit after Lower Allen was finished with it.

These are the only two photographs I have of this ambulance, the first photo is while the unit was still operated by the Cumberland's and the second photo is the unit while in Lower Allen.

C.V. Ambulance Celebrates 6th Anniversary

On May 26, 1937 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company ambulance celebrated its 6th anniversary. Before the ambulance was formed in 1931 when a person needed to go to the hospital they rode in a car provided by their physician, rode in a friend’s car or waited for an ambulance to arrive from Chambersburg or Carlisle. In the six years the ambulance was in service it responded to 633 calls, or one call every three days. In making those calls the ambulance traveled 36,000 miles.

WEFR’s Packard Ambulance

The only major incident to occur on this day was in 2004, that incident was posted on here in 2008. Today’s featured rig is one that I have very little information on and no photograph.

Older WEFR members remember having a green Packard as their first ambulance. No written information has ever been found on this unit if it existed. The Packard would have only been in use for about a year as the company acquired a 1947 Buick ambulance in August 1956, this unit has already been featured on the SFD blog and can be found by clicking the WEFR label to the right.

Memorial Dedicated To Fallen Emergency Responders

On Sunday May 24, 1998 emergency services personnel, family members and the public dedicated a memorial to fallen Cumberland County emergency responders at the Cumberland County Emergency Services training academy. The monument contains the names of eight police officers, two fire policemen and nine firefighters. One Shippensburg firefighter, W. Mervin Fogelsanger who died February 17, 1969 while battling a fire in downtown Shippensburg is on the plaque.

Upper Mifflin Township Horse Barn Burns

On May 23, 1995 in the morning hours firefighters were dispatched to Rt. 997 in Upper Mifflin Township for a horse barn fire. When firefighters arrived the building was well involved and already beginning to collapse. The small frame barn and numerous items stored inside were destroyed. The horses were in the meadow at the time of the blaze. The cause of the fire and a damage estimate was not available. The Newville, Newburg-Hopewell, Upper Frankford, Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Fire Destroys Mobile Home

On May 22, 2003 at 7:5 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to a mobile home fire at 490 Shed Road, Lower Mifflin Township. By the time firefighters from five companies arrived on the scene the home was well involved. The blaze destroyed the mobile home that several side additions and a basement. The cause of the fire and a damage estimate was not available. The Newville, North Middleton, West Pennsboro, Upper Frankford and Cumberland Valley Hose companies responded and remained on the scene over two and a half hours.

Three Alarm Fire Causes Over $1 Million In Damages

On May 21, 1985 at 9:41 p.m. firefighters were alerted to a building fire at Geyer Industries, 5274 Sunset Pike, Greene Township. First arriving units found a 45,000-square-foot building well involved. Firefighters were hampered by a lack of water and hazardous materials in the building. Approximately 200 firefighters from eight companies battled the three alarm blaze for over one hour before bringing it under control. The building contained woodworking equipment, paints, lacquers, propane, fuel tanks and other equipment. The building and almost everything in side was destroyed, damages were estimated in excess of $1 million dollars. The cause was under investigation. Dave Stepler, Franklin's was treated for smoke inhalation, Tracy Sachs, Pleasant Hall for smoke inhalation, Bob Albrecht, Fayetteville for an unknown injury and one un-named firefighter were all treated at Chambersburg Hospital and released. Firefighters from Pleasant Hall, Fayetteville, Franklin, Letterkenny, West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and Chambersburg Fire Department and answered the alarm.

Penn Twp. Barn Burns

On May 20, 1998 at 2:36 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to a barn fire at 985 Mount Rock Road, Penn Twp. When firefighters arrived the barn was well involved and beginning to collapse. Firefighters concentrated on protecting the exposures. Lost in the fire were five antique tractors, hay, a pickup truck and a skid loader. Almost 75 firefighters battled the blaze for hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Penn Twp., Newville, Mount Holly, Union, Upper Frankford, South Newton, West Pennsboro, South Middleton, Vigilant Hose and Bendersville fire companies answered the alarm. Later in the day firefighters answered a working trailer fire in North Newton Twp, but that post is for another year.

Byers Road Barn Burns

On May 19, 1973 at 2:45 a.m. firemen were alerted to a barn fire on the Byers Road near Scotland. When firemen arrived the large stone barn was well involved. The blaze was ruled suspicious and no other information on the fire was reported. Apparatus and manpower from the Fayetteville, Franklin's, Pleasant Hall and the West End Fire and Rescue companies battled the blaze. The Cumberland Valley ambulance answered one call for the day.

Wash House Destroyed

On May 17, 1979 just before 7 p.m. firefighters were sent to Shippensburg R.D. 6, Southampton Township Cumberland County for a wash house on fire. Little information was provided on the fire other than that the small brick and frame building was destroyed. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm, others may have assisted but were not mentioned in the article. Also in the evening firefighters battled a working shed fire on the Pinola Road, that incident was posted on this site in 2008.

Council Actions On The Fire Department (1972)

The following was taken word for word from The News Chronicle.

For the next six months two companies will respond to every fire in the borough, with the Cumberland Valley Hose Company responding to all borough fires, the Vigilant's to all east of the Penn Central tracks, the West End Fire and Rescue Company to all west of the tracks.

The Shippensburg Borough Council, meeting in regular session Tuesday (May 16, 1972) night in the Municipal Offices, approved this change in assignment of apparatus, effective immediately, on a motion by Dr. George Rae, seconded by John Bonitz and passed unanimously. To make the action effective, the ordinance covering fire company zoning was suspended for six months.

The original recommendation of the Fire Advisory Committee had called for a 90-day trail period, but this on Dr. Rae's recommendation, was increased to a six-month trail period.

For general alarm fires, all three companies will continue to respond.

Final action on recommended purchase of color-coded hose for the companies was postponed until June 6 to get cost estimates on colored and plain hose when a special session is scheduled. Dr. Rae saw no problem on use of adaptors and recommended purchase for the CV's and Vigilant's. The West Enders do not need adapters to convert to National Standard hose it was noted.

Robert Jones, borough fire chief, reported six borough fire calls in April. There were no false fire alarms, he said.

Fayette Street House Burns

On May 15, 1907 at 2:10 p.m. an alarm of fire was received for a house fire on South Fayette Street near the Reading Railroad trestle. Firemen arrived quickly forcing doors, removing furniture and getting streams on the blaze. The attic and most of the second floor were destroyed, the remainder of the home suffered water damage. It was believed the blaze was caused by a spark from a passing Reading RR locomotive. Damages were estimated at $600. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

PRR Freight Station Burns

On May 14, 1977 at 2:08 p.m. firemen were dispatched to S. Earl Street extended to the PRR freight station for a building fire. When firemen arrived the second floor of the 40 by 120 foot abandoned brick and frame structure was well involved. About 80 firefighters from four companies brought the blaze under control in 30 minutes but not before the building was destroyed and a roof's on three buildings across the street were damaged by heat. The origin of the blaze was undetermined but it was considered suspicious. Borough chief Ed Goodhart reported no injuries to firefighters and said that damages were estimated at $50,000 to $75,000. Firemen from the Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue and the Fayetteville fire companies manning nine pieces of apparatus battled the blaze.

3,000 Turkeys Die In Greenvillage Blaze

On May 12, 1952 shortly after 5:00 a.m. firemen were sent to the John Rice property in Greenvillage for a building fire. When firemen arrived the three story block building was heavily involved in fire. The origin of the blaze was traced to faulty wiring. Water to fight the blaze was obtained from the community fire cistern located close to the blaze and from other cisterns in the village. Lost in the fire were 3,000 turkeys, six hogs, an automobile, a large quantity of feed and equipment. Damages were estimated at $20,000 to $25,000. The Vigilant Hose, Letterkenny and Franklin fire companies battled the blaze.

Fire Destroys Path Valley Home

On May 11, 1986 at about 10:30 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to a house fire at 21635 Path Valley Road. Firefighters leaving Fannettsburg 12 miles away had smoke showing. When the first apparatus arrived the 2 1/2 story wood frame house was well involved. Firefighters laid 1,000 feet of hose to a pond in the rear of the home and also shuttled tankers from a creek about one mile away. Firefighters from three companies battled the blaze for one hour before bringing it under control and remained on the scene over 2 1/2 hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Fannett-Metal, Pleasant Hall and Vigilant Hose companies answered the alarm. Fannett-Metal returned to the scene twice to wet down smoldering debris.

Fire Strikes Newburg Family Again

On May 10, 1954 in the morning hours, firemen were sent to Newburg R. R. 1 for a chicken house fire. This was the second fire to strike the Wright family, on May 3, 1953 fire destroyed the families home. The occupants had only moved into their new home one month ago before fire struck again. The chicken coop was a small building once used to house borders before being converted to a chicken house. A strong breeze spread the flames and virtually destroyed the building before firemen arrived. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm.

Faulty Motor Causes Fire

On May 9, 1987 at 7:10 p.m. firefighters were alerted to a sawmill fire at the Path Valley Planing Mill, 17,475 Path Valley Road. An overheated diesel motor started the fire that destroyed the building. When firefighter arrived the building was well involved and the wind was spreading it to saw dust piles. More than 75 firefighters from eight companies battled the blaze and remained on the scene over three hours. Damages were estimated at $65,000-$70,000. The Fannett-Metal, St. Thomas, Shade Gap, McConnellsburg, Mercersburg, Pleasant Hall, Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies assisted at the scene.

House Fire On Steelstown Road

On May 8, 1999 at 5 p.m. units were alerted to a house fire at 213 Steelstown Road, North Newton Township. The fire began when lightning struck the electric wires leading to a wash house attached to the home. Quick work by firefighters from four companies contained the fire to the wall leaving the house livable. Damages were estimated at $3,000 to $4,000. The Newville, Upper Frankford, West Pennsboro Twp. and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

At 1 a.m. the Vigilant's responded to a dumpster fire at College Park Apartments. Again at 2:13 a.m. the Vigilant's responded to a dumpster fire at Bard Meadow Apartments, then at 2:26 p.m. the Vigilant's, CV's and WEFR responded to an auto accident at King and Earl Streets. At 6:28 p.m. local firefighters finished there day with an auto accident on the Walnut Bottom Road in front of the Amerihost Inn. The Vigilant's and Newville fire companies answered the rescue local.

CV's 1950 Chevrolet John Beam Pumper

The only major incidents to occur on this date were in 1990 and 2007 and those two were posted the past two years. I will be switching back and forth between Cumberland County fire companies and Shippensburg apparatus on days when I have no major incidents to report. It just depends on what I have prepared at the time.

In early 1950 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company formed a committee to purchase a new pumper. At the April 13, 1950 company meeting it was announced that a John Beam high pressure fog unit to be mounted on a Chevrolet chassis was purchased. The chassis was supplied by the company and purchased from a local dealer. The unit was painted red with the hood lettered C.V. HOSE CO. NO. 2 and the doors lettered CUMBERLAND VALLEY HOSE CO. NO. 2 SHIPPENSBURG. The engine was shipped from the manufacturer June 6, 1950. The unit arrived in Shippensburg on June 7 and was stored for sometime in Hollar's Garage until the company was ready for it. The engine was builders no. 536, the chassis no. was 1TWD3010, motor no. HE499725. It was sold by a Mr. Stockdale. Total invoice was $7,574.00. The engine responded to a number of large fires over its life including the E. King St. block fire on 2-17-69, Cressler's Fruit Market, 10-13-64 and the Sherman House fire on 6-19-60. In December 1969 a 1970 John Beam pumper was ordered to replace the engine. It was mentioned that it would be decided at a later date what to do with the engine. On October 19, 1972 it was reported that the pumper was sold to a company from Erie, Pa. for $1,500.00.

Unfortunately these are the only two photographs I have of this engine. The fact that it was in Shippensburg for over 22 years there has to be some color photographs out there somewhere of this rig. If anyone has any and can help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

WEFR Purchases 1973 CF Mack

The first photograph appeared in the May 7, 1981 edition of The News Chronicle, the photo and action took place on this day in 1981. Click the photos for a larger version and to read the photo caption.

Numerous Buildings Burn On Montgomery Avenue

On May 5, 1943 at about 3:00 p.m. firemen responded to a building fire at 23-25 Montgomery Avenue. The fire started in a barn and destroyed the building but not before extending to a garage that was almost totally destroyed and the roofs of numerous out buildings. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

CV's 1938 LaSalle Ambulance

No major incidents have ever occurred on this date.

At the March 4, 1938 meeting of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company, members decided to purchase a new ambulance. On April 15, 1938 the company announced that they had ordered a 1938 LaSalle ambulance from the Wolfington Body Company. The unit was mounted on a LaSalle chassis, the body was of all steel construction with a special cabinet in the interior for first aid equipment and supplies. The ambulance was powered by a V-8 motor and the unit was painted a light tan. An unusual feature on the ambulance was an apparatus for fighting small fires that was built into the fender well on the one side (it didn't mention anymore on this but I can only assume that it was a fire extinguisher). The ambulance went into service on June 3, 1938 and was dedicated on June 16. The original price of the ambulance was $2,890.25 less $790.25 trade in allowance for the Studebaker for a final cost of $2,100.

The ambulance replaced the company's first unit a 1931 Studebaker. On February 7, 1941 it was reported that the ambulance was in need of a overhaul. A committee was formed to replace the unit. In March 1941 it was replaced with a 1941 Cadillac. Wolfington gave the company a allowance of $1,987.00 for the LaSalle.

Mongul Shed Destroyed By Fire

On May 3, 1969 at 4:30 p.m. the Shippensburg Civil Defense room received a call reporting a shed fire at Shippensburg Star Route 3 in the area of Mongul. A small shed was destroyed when burning brush nearby spread to the structure. A damage estimate was not available. The West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose and Pleasant Hall fire companies answered the alarm. Also during the day the Letterkenny, Pleasant Hall And West End Fire and Rescue companies battled a several acre grass fire on the depot. The CV’s community ambulance made one run for the day.

Gutshall Road Home Burns

On May 2, 1987 at 2:03 a.m. Cumberland County 911 alerted fire apparatus to a house fire on the Gutshall Road, Southampton Cumberland. The blaze began in the stairwell to the basement and extended upwards before being brought under control in 36 minutes by firefighters from five companies. A state police fire Marshall ruled the blaze accident, caused by faulty wiring. A damage estimate was not available, but chief Myers noted that the damage was substantial. Two Vigilant firefighters, Robert Puffenberger and Dan Hammaker suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from Chambersburg Hospital. Firefighters remained on the scene for 3-1/2 hours. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue, South Newton Twp. And Penn Twp. fire companies battled the blaze.

Roxbury Road Barn Burns

On May 1, 1991 at 4:09 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to a barn fire at 7000 Roxbury Road. When firefighters arrived the two story wooden barn with tin roof was well involved and beginning to collapse. The building and its few contents were a complete loss. The origin of the fire as well as a damage estimate was not available. Firefighters from seven companies operated at the scene until 7:30 a.m. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose, West End Fire and Rescue, Letterkenny, Newburg-Hopewell and Pleasant Hall fire companies battled the blaze.