Barn Burns For The Third Time

November 30, 1909 at 3:00 p.m. firemen responded to a barn fire at Route 11 and the Walnut Bottom Road. A fire possibly caused by spontaneous combustion destroyed a barn, wagon shed, hog pen and their contents along with some livestock. Damages were estimated in excess of $3,300. Firemen concentrated their efforts on saving the surrounding buildings. This is the third time a barn was burnt down at this location, the others occurred in 1878 and 1900. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

This post along with one on December 5 will be made every year I have the blog going. November 30, 2004, Jackson Gerhart a retired fireman from the Washington D.C. Fire Department and an active volunteer in Shippensburg was severely injured when he apparently fell from the rear of an engine and struck his head while attempting to lay a supply line at the scene of a house fire. Jack was flown to York hospital in serious condition. The alarm was turned in at 10:06 a.m. for 541 East Washington Street, Chambersburg and gutted a second floor bedroom causing $10,000 in damages.

Fire Destroys Leesburg Barn

November 29, 1960 at 3:30 p.m. firemen responded to a barn fire at Shippensburg R. R. 2, Leesburg. A fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed a stone and frame barn along with its contents and a car. With no water in the area the Viggies concentrated on saving nearby buildings. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm. A tanker from Newville assisted.

Three Alarm Fire Races Through Auto Parts Store

November 28, 1990 at 3:10 a.m. a three-alarm fire caused extensive damage to Glenn Millers Auto Parts store at 8 North Penn Street. The fire began in the paint room and spread rapidly in the two-story brick building. Before firefighters could contain the blaze the Orrstown Bank building on East Kings Street suffered smoke damage and the Victory theatre on side four suffered some fire extension. Almost 100 firefighters from 14 companies battled the blaze. Firefighters remained on the scene until almost 2 p.m. Damages were estimated at $300,000. Arson was the cause of the blaze. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Fire Damages South Penn Street Home

November 27, 1964 at 2:25 a.m., 221 South Penn Street, Shippensburg. An electrical short in the basement started a fire that caused heavy damage to an occupied two-story blockhouse. Before firemen could extinguish the blaze both floors received extensive fire and smoke damage. Damages were estimated at $10,000. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Keystone Hook and Ladder Gets Truck

On November 26, 1896 along with Thanksgiving Day, the borough celebrated the arrival of the Keystone Hook and Ladder Company’s truck. The truck purchased from the Pioneer H & L Co. in Hagerstown arrived in Shippensburg by rail along with about 30 members of the Pioneer Company. The C.V. Hose Company and Town Band met the delegation on Orange Street and proceeded to parade through town. Once at the Council House speeches were made and the apparatus was housed. The members of the Pioneer were treated to supper at the Sherman House before heading back to Hagerstown on the 9:00 p.m. train.
This is the only photograph I have ever found of the Keystone's ladder truck, it was taken in Hagerstown in front of the Pioneer's building. Additional information on the truck along with the short history of the company will be posted at a later date.

C.V. Hose Gets New ALF Combination Wagon

November 25, 1910 The Cumberland Valley Hose Company accepted delivery of their new American LaFrance chemical combination wagon. The wagon was painted red and trimmed in gold and black. Mounted on the wagon were two 35-gallon chemical tanks, axes, lanterns, two hand chemical tanks, ladders and 150 feet of ¾ inch hose.

I intended to post a photograph of the Chemical Wagon today but realized I used it on the November 3, 2007 post. That is the only know photograph of the wagon.

Fire Kills Three Dogs In The 52 Box

November 24, 2006 at 10:58 p.m., 228 Neil Road, Southampton Cumberland. An electrical problem sparked a fire that destroyed a double wide trailer and killed three dogs. About 40 firefighters from six companies had the blaze under control in 15 minutes and operated at the scene until 1:30 a.m. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm

Arson Fire Guts Downtown Apartment

November 23, 1989 at 2:07 a.m. a Thanksgiving morning arson fire forced 11 people from their apartments at 34 North Earl Street. The blaze was set in the first floor apartment and caused extensive damage to that unit and slight fire damage to the unit above. The other two apartments sustained smoke damage. Firefighters had the fire under control in 30 minutes and remained on the scene until 5:50 a.m. A damage estimate was not available. Later in the evening the companies worked a job in Lurgan Township, but that is another post. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Nyesville Road Building Destroyed

November 22, 1972 at 7:57 a.m., Nyesville Road. A fire of unknown origin destroyed a frame woodworking shop and its contents. Damages were estimated at $3,000. The Vigilant Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies battled the blaze.

From time to time when I do not have a photo to post I will post a SFD patch. After they are all posted I will move on to outdated Franklin and Cumberland patches. Today's is Vigilant's second patch used in the 70's and early 80's.

Carlisle CD Radio Goes Into Service

November 21, 1957 the Cumberland County Civil Defense radio station located at the Cumberland County jail in Carlisle officially went into operation. The station had been in operation all week, but the official opening took place at 11:30 a.m. (11-21-57)

The new station makes the CD stations located in Shippensburg and the West Shore obsolete. Previously three stations were needed to cover the county. Whereas the former stations were all 60 watts, the new setup has a 250-watt station in Carlisle.

Charles U. Mowery explained that four paid men who would not be members of the sheriff’s staff would operate the station.

Scotland School Building Ruined In Fire

November 20, 1951 at 8:50 p.m., the Recitation building on the grounds of the Scotland School for Veteran’s Children, Greene Township. Faulty wiring in the attic was to blame for a fire that destroyed the large three-story brick school building. Firefighters from five companies worked until 3:00 a.m. to bring the fire under control. At this time the Scotland School operated a Model-T fire engine and the kids and staff were actively involved with the firefight. A few years later the apparatus at the school was upgraded. Two firemen were hospitalized with injuries and numerous others were treated at the scene. One civilian was also injured. Damages were estimated at $700 to $800,000. The Vigilant Hose Company assisted at the scene.


This photograph shows Scotland's 1921 Model-T rig in the CVVFA parade in Chambersburg 1973.

Garage Gutted In The 15 Box

November 19, 1990 at 11:18 p.m., 1690 Two Turn Road, Southampton Franklin. A fire of unknown origin gutted a 2-1/2-story frame garage destroying its contents. Firefighters from five companies had the blaze under control in 15 minutes and remained on the scene over one hour. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Ranch House Damaged In Greene Township

November 18, 1980 at 4:45 p.m., 2429 Scotland Road, Greene Township. A malfunctioning wood burning stove started a fire that caused heavy damage to an occupied 1-1/2-story brick house. About 40 firefighters from three companies battled the blaze for over three hours. Damages were estimated at $10,000. The West End Fire and Rescue Company assisted at the scene.

Vacant House Demolished In Franklin County

November 17, 1991 at 6:00 a.m., 4677 White Church Road, Greene Township. An arson fire gutted a 2-1/2-story vacant brick farmhouse. The house had been vacant for the last 35 years and was full of antiques. Damages were estimated at $70,000. The West End Fire and Rescue and Cumberland Valley Hose companies assisted at the scene.

Two Perish In House Fire

November 16, 1957 at 9:45p.m. Shippensburg Rural Route 3, between Newcomertown and the Roxbury Road. Guest at a party along the Middle Spring Road noticed a glow and turned in the alarm. When firemen arrived they found a six-room house heavily involved in fire. Firemen said they fought their way through the fire and smoke for some 15 to 20 minutes in searching the four rooms downstairs before they located two victims on the floor in an up-stairs bedroom.

Thomas Murray, borough fire marshal, and Harry Bughman located the bodies. Theses two men with other firemen helped to lower the bodies by rope from the second floor bedroom to the ground below. A husband and wife perished in the blaze. Firemen had the blaze under control by 10:30 p.m. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Chambersburg House Burns

On November 15, 2004 at 1241 a.m. 941 Nelson Street, Chambersburg. A woman escaped her burning home by climbing from a second floor window, one pet died and three others needed to be taken to a veterinarian. The fire started on the first floor of the 2-1/2-story brick house and caused extensive damage before being controlled. Firefighters from nine companies battled the two-alarm blaze and remained on the scene until 3 a.m. Damages were estimated at $50,000. The West End Fire and Rescue Company assisted at the scene. A couple of years later this same couple would be burnt out again when a $1.2 million dollar fire would destroy their new house shortly before it was completed.

Vigilant's Get 1993 E-One

On November 14, 1993, the Vigilant Hose Company’s new 1993 E-One Cyclone engine arrived in Shippensburg. The new engine featured a 1500-gallon-per-minute pump and carried 750gallons of water. The engine replaced the 1981 Seagrave and was the first in a string of E-Ones purchased by the company.

Mobile Home Damaged By Fire

On November 13, 1981 at 1:29 p.m. at 6039 Cumberland Highway, Greene Township an electrical problem started a fire that destroyed the kitchen of a mobile home. Smoke and heat damaged the rest of the home. Firefighters from five companies had the blazer under control in 15 minutes. Damages were estimated at $10,000 and one occupant was displaced. The Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies assisted at the scene.

Alarm Of Fire In Shippensburg

November 12, 1893 at 9:45 p.m., fire bells rang out an alarm of fire near the center of town. Firemen soon raced to West Main Street (King) one half block west of Railroad Street (Earl) where they found a barn and its contents well involved in fire. Firemen soon had three powerful streams flowing but before they could extinguish the blaze a nearby stable was also destroyed. Damages were estimated at $950.00. The Vigilant and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm. It was reported that the plugs are in need of flushing as when the first water was flowed mud came from the line.

Borough Orders ALF For C. V.'s

On November 11, 1958 in Shippensburg Borough Councils regular session American LaFrance Cooperation was awarded the bid for a new pumper to replace the Cumberland Valley Hose Company’s 1936 Ward LaFrance. ALF bid $22,392.50 for a 1,000 gallon-per-minute pumper.