Boyer Barrel Factory Burns

On June 14, 1926 at 7:30 p.m., an alarm of fire was sounded for the Boyer Barrel factory located along the P.R.R. tracks, near the Domestic Engine and Pumps Company. Stoves used to dry the finished products started a fire that destroyed a 30X60 foot frame building and its contents. Firemen remained on the scene all night and into the next day to prevent flare-ups. The building housed over 30,000 barrels ready for delivery. Damages were estimated at $10,000. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies operated at the scene.

Pole Barn Burns On Fogelsanger Road

On June 13, 1992 at 1:47 a.m. firefighters were alerted for a barn fire at 125 Fogelsanger Road, Southampton Cumberland. When firefighters arrived they discovered rolls of hay burning in the barn. Approximately 75 to 100 firefighters from six companies worked for over six hours to remove and extinguish 150 round bails of hay from the building. According to reports the building was destroyed. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm.

In the last few days I have had numerous people surf onto the site by searching John Snyder's name. Part of the discussion in the comments section of a previous post was when did John pass away. John died on August 9, 1975 at the young age of 35. John and the Snyder family were very close friends of ours and his passing was a huge loss for me. I guess I am posting this to answer the questions in the previous comments and to find out if you would like me to wait until August or post about John sooner. I have nothing ready for Sunday yet and can post about him then if you would like.

9-Year Old Boy Burnt, Implement Shed Destroyed

On June 12, 1958 at 3:30 p.m. firemen responded to an implement shed fire near Orrstown. The fire started when a 9-year old boy was trying to start a tiller and a spark ignited the building. The building was destroyed and the roof was burnt off the milk house. The boy suffered first, second and third degree burns on his leg. The three companies kept the fire from spreading to other buildings on the property. Damages were estimated at $5,000. The Vigilant Hose Company assisted at the scene.

A heads up for those of you that look at this site and not my photography site, since Monday I have been posting photographs from the re-dedication of Engine 17's house in Washington D.C. this past Saturday. On Saturday June 7, 2008 the house was renamed the Jackson H. Gerhart house. The event was well attended and a big kudos goes out to the DCFD, Local 36, E-17 crew and Lt. Seavey. I have posted photos the last four days and will be posting more through Wednesday next week followed by a few from WEFR's Child's Dream. The link to the site is to the right with the Shippensburg Fire Service sites.

House Fire On Earl Street

On June 11, 1860 in the afternoon hours the cry of fire was heard coming from Earl Street. A fire broke out in the weather boarding of the Samuel Harris house. The timely application of a few buckets of water stopped the flames before they could do much damage. The Cumberland Valley Fire Company was on the scene promptly with their hand tub but their services were not needed.

Man Dies In Borough House Fire

On June 5, 2004 at 2 a.m. a borough box was struck for a house fire at 201 South Queen Street. First arriving units found flames coming from the first floor with a reported entrapment. Prior to the fire departments arrival several neighbors and police officers tried unsuccessfully to gain entry and locate the victim. Firefighters located the 80-year-old male on the floor in a first floor bedroom and removed him to awaiting EMS. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Fire caused extensive damage to the first floor with extension in the voids to the second floor and attic. Careless use of smoking materials was listed as the cause. The 2-alarm fire was brought under control in 10 minutes and firefighters remained on the scene for hours. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

Greene Township Apartment Damaged In Early Morning Fire

On June 4, 2000 at 1:01 a.m. a station 4 box was alerted for a apartment fire at 1955 Philadelphia Avenue, Greene Township. When units arrived flames were shooting from a second story window in one unit. Firefighters from nine companies had the blaze under control in 10 minutes and remained on the scene until almost 6 a.m. The fire was confined to the apartment or origin with water damage to the unit below. Damages were estimated at $50,000. The West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies assisted at the scene.

Oil Stove Explosion Damages Penn Street Home

On June 3, 1951 in the morning hours an oil stove exploded in the home of Wilbur Kelso, 118 South Penn Street. The explosion caused the kitchen and dinning area to be involved in flames. Both hose companies were on the scene quickly and able to contain the blaze. A family of twelve was displaced. Damages were estimated at $1,000. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Penn Street Extended House Destroyed

On June 2, 1968 at 2:50 a.m. firemen were alerted to a house fire on South Penn Street extended. When firemen arrived they found the vacant 2-1/2-story frame house well involved in fire. Water was an issue in battling the blaze, as the hydrant located at Penn and Garfield was out of service and a line had to be laid to one at Apple Avenue. The blaze was ruled suspicious. A damage estimate was not available. Firemen remained on the scene until 5:30 a.m. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies battled the blaze under the direction of borough chief Dan Orris. The Vigilant’s returned at 7:30 p.m. for a rekindle.

I added a couple more links for CVEMS and Bill Strite's WEFR page so that all the Shippensburg Emergency Services sites could be accessed from this site. I know, before you say something, the my space sites are not on here, and I don't intend to link them either.

Shippensburg R.D. 2 Mobile Hose Destroyed

On June 1, 1973 at 4:45 a.m. firemen were alerted to a mobile home fire at Shippensburg R.D. 2. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed an occupied mobile home and all its contents. A female occupant of the home was injured when she suffered first and second degree. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Fire Destroys House And Numerous Out Buildings On Ridge Road

On May 31, 1922 at 9:00 a.m. firemen were summoned to the Ridge Road for a woodshed fire. The fire was discovered in a woodshed and help was quickly summoned from Shippensburg. Firemen arrived quickly and pumped two wells dry in an attempt to save the property. Despite their best efforts the house, woodshed, corn cribs, wagon shed and all other out buildings on the property were destroyed. The firemen were able to save the barn. A damage estimate was not available. The Cumberland Valley Hose Company answered the alarm.

The photograph in today's post is of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company showing off their new uniforms in front of their station on May 31, 1915. I would like to be able to keep the photograph and caption together when they differ from the days post but if I put the picture any place but the top it will not do anything when you click on it.

Fabricating Business Destroyed In Accidental Fire

On May 30, 1995 at 8:50 a.m. firefighters responded to 8933 Rowe Run Road, Southampton Franklin for a building fire. Sparks from a grinder ignited flammable liquids used to clean parts at a fabricating business. When firefighters arrived 70% of the 50-by-225-foot building was involved in fire. Firefighters had the blaze under control in 30 minutes. Damages were estimated at $75,000. The West End Fire and Rescue and Vigilant Hose companies answered the alarm.

Make History Today Boys...

I was not going to post today because nothing major occurred on this day in history in the years I have typed in the data base, but with the amount of people viewing the site each day (49 completely different people looked at the site yesterday) I didn't want to miss a day. I didn't have the chance to prepare a rig or anything else for the entry so I thought I would put this one up.

The photograph is from Barren Hill and would have been taken in the 1950's. The unit on the far left is a 1947 Ford rescue truck. West End Fire and Rescue purchased the rig sometime in 1959 or 1960 the exact date unknown. It was in the company's possession in June of 1960.

The rig right beside the rescue (second from left) is a Ford pumper. Some think WEFR purchased their 1950 Ford Maxim engine from Barren Hill. I even found photographs of the Barren Hill engine at WEFR but like all history their is a twist making me doubt it. WEFR purchased the rig in August 1965 and took possession of it in September of that year. Barren Hill celebrated their 50Th anniversary that year and the rig is in the photo with their fleet. It could still be the same engine. But upon further investigation of the photographs the Barren Hill rig had a steamer intake on the curb side, WEFR's also had a 2 1/2 inch discharge above it. On the pump panel side their is many things different between the WEFR rig and the builders photo for Barren Hill. Now is gets more confusing the pump panel on this photograph does not match the builders photo but more closely resembles the WEFR pump panel. Both rigs appear to be the same year, I am no expert on ages of rigs but the fenders, lights and everything else is the same.

Did Barren Hill have two of these rigs? Could the pump panel have been altered? Is this the same rig WEFR owned? All of these are good questions and ones I have no answer for. WEFR's minutes do not state where they purchased the rig from, it would make sense that they would purchased another rig from Barren Hill since they already had an association with the company. I plan to get a hold of someone from Barren Hill to see what their minutes say, maybe that will give us a definite answer, but in the past I have not had much luck with departments returning my messages or calls.

South Penn Street Homes Destroyed

On May 28, 1923 at 3:30 p.m., South Penn Street extended (the paper refers to this area as Wrightsville, I had never heard of the area being called that way before). When firemen arrived one house was well involved. With no hydrants in the area the firemen were of little use and the flames quickly spread to a neighboring home. Both homes were destroyed along with the contents of one. Most of the belongings in the exposure building were removed before the flames consumed it. Children playing with matches may have caused the fire. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

Newburg Barn Burns

On May 27 1967 sometime in the afternoon hours, KGD-556 alerted fore companies for a barn fire on Star Route 2, Newburg. Defective electrical wiring sparked a blaze that destroyed the barn and its contents. One calf was lost in the blaze. Firemen from two companies fought the fire for about four hours. A damage estimate was not available. Four years earlier the house burnt down on the same property. The Vigilant Hose Company assisted at scene.

Community Ambulance Completes First Year Of Service

On Thursday May 26, 1932 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company Community Ambulance completed exactly one year of service to Shippensburg and the surrounding community. In the year the ambulance made 85 trips and massed over 4,000 miles.

This photograph appeared in The News Chronicle on May 26, 1967. Pictured are the officers of the Vigilant Ladies Auxiliary. Seated from left to right are Dolores Myers, president; Blanche Mastalski, vice president; Nancy Holtry, treasurer. Standing left to right is Evelyn Helm and Catherine Sanders, trustees and Nancy Thompson, secretary.

Newburg Woodcraft Destroyed By Fire

On May 25, 2004 at 5:28 p.m. box 15-5 was alerted for a building struck by lightning on 8915 Rowe Run Road, Southampton, Franklin County. When the first unit arrived five minutes later fire had control of the second floor and a defense attack was ordered. The building contained the Newburg Woodcrafters building and made furniture, it was formerly the Pinola Chicken Hatchery. Firefighters from six companies had the fire in the 50 by 100 foot building under control by 7:59 p.m. Units remained on the scene until 9:30 p.m. Damages were estimated at $350,000. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated at the scene.

At 10:36 p.m. units returned for a rekindle and were available in 15 minutes. On May 26 units again responded for a rekindle at 5:45 a.m., units remained on the scene for over three hours.

300 Chickens And Livestock Perish In Greenvillage Fire

On May 24 1941 at 2:10 a.m. firemen were alerted to a barn fire on the Molly Pitcher Highway at the southern edge of Greenvillage. By the time members of the Franklin's had arrived the barn was well involved and a nearby chicken house and hog pen were on fire. Firemen pumped water from a cistern on the scene to protect other building on the property. Lost in the fire were 30 hogs, 300 chickens a cow, calf and a valuable stallion along with other belongings. Because of the high winds spreading sparks through out Greenvillage the Vigilant Hose Company’s rural pumper was requested for assistance. Damages were estimated at $8,000.

Trindel’s IGA Foodliner Burns

On May 23, 1971 at 9:34 p.m. the local Civil Defense room alerted the Shippensburg Fire Department to a building fire at Trindel’s IGA Foodliner on the corner of East Orange Street and Hollar Avenue. When firemen arrived flames were coming through the roof on the Hollar Avenue side. Firefighters had the blaze under control within an hour and declared out at 12:30 a.m. Borough Fire Chief Ed Thrush said the storage area suffered heavy fire damage and the main store suffered extensive damage from heat and smoke. Firemen found the blaze difficult to fight because of the dense smoke and the false ceilings installed when the building was remodeled. The chief said the fire was “very suspicious in origin”. Damages were estimated at $150,000. One firefighter was injured and treated at Chambersburg Hospital and released.

At 2:40 a.m. Chief Thrush was making a routine check on the fire when he discovered it had rekindled. With the help of the fire policemen still on the scene they used a hose that was left connected to a hydrant on Hollar Avenue to extinguish the fire. Later in the afternoon the three fire companies again returned to the scene for a rekindle. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies battled the blaze.

Barn Burns Down In North End Of Town

On May 22, 1859 at about 9 p.m. the cry of fire could be heard over Shippensburg. Firemen from the Vigilant’s pulling the “Hibernia” engine and the Cumberland boys pulling the “Cumberland Valley” engine raced to the scene on the north end of town. By the time the firemen arrived the barn was well off and efforts were made to save the exposures. A small stable was also destroyed. A damage estimate was not available. A suspect was later arrested for firing the barn. The Vigilant Fire and Cumberland Valley Fire companies answered the alarm.

Eight Buildings Destroyed In Cove Alley

On May 21, 1935 at 6:30 p.m. the Newville Fire Company was alerted for a fire on Cove Alley in the borough of Newville. The blaze started in the frame stable of Wilbur Getter and spread to the stables on both sides. The fire spread so rapidly that the Friendship’s were unable to gain control of it and quickly summoned help from Shippensburg and Carlisle.

By the time firemen from five companies could get control of the blaze at 7:30 p.m. seven stables were burnt to the ground, some located on Liberty Alley (this was in the area of the fountain and Big Spring Avenue). Damages were estimated at $3,800. This was Newville’s worst fire since August 1913 when eleven stables were destroyed along Church Alley. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies assisted at the scene. While en route the Cumberland Valley engine suffered mechanical difficulties but quick repairs got the rig back on the road in time to help at the fire.