$100,000 In Damage At Rubber Plant Fire

On August 5, 2002 at 6:10 a.m. firefighters were sent to 811 Progress Road, Chambersburg at the Landstar Polymers Recovery Inc. for a reported building fire. A blaze possibly caused by an electrical problem spread quickly across the ceiling above the sprinklers. Insulation and rubber dust burned quickly rendering the sprinkler system almost useless. Firefighters manned hose lines inside the building pulling down burning insulation while others manning four ladder trucks accessed the flat roof to battle the blaze. Almost 75 firefighters responded to the three alarm fire under the direction of Chambersburg Emergency Services Chief William "Bill" Dubbs. One firefighter was transported to the hospital for heat related injuries. Damages were estimated at $100,000. The accounts of the incident in the local papers never mentioned the companies responding but I know that the Chambersburg, Franklin, New Franklin, Fayetteville and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm. With the incident going three alarms there had to be many more. WEFR's Squad transferred to Co. 1 during the incident.