WEFR Wins Fayetteville Vol. FD’s Pumping Contest

On Saturday September 6, 1971 the West End Fire and Rescue Company finished in 1:36.3 minutes to win a pumping contest sponsored by the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department. Joan Strite, the queen for WEFR accepted the first place trophy for the men in front of a large crowd at the fairgrounds. The Vigilant Hose Company Stations 1 and 2 also participated in the event.

WEFR’s 1950 Ford Maxim Pumper

In August 1965 the West End Fire and Rescue Company purchased a 1950 Ford Maxim engine. The company paid $3,000 for the rig but it is unknown whom they purchased it from. We believe it was the Barren Hill Fire Department, in Pennsylvania, and hope to have a definitive answer on that soon. In September 1965 the West Enders took possession of the unit. The rig was painted red when purchased and re-lettered by the company. In its later years it carried the Franklin County designation 15-4. A couple of these photographs are when the rig ran as a Fayetteville engine on loan to them in 1973. In February 1974 the department sold the engine to J. T. McGee of Panama City Fire Equipment for $3,500 to be taken to Florida like so many other local rigs.

Nothing major occurred in the Shippensburg area today. Today's post was supposed to be a slide show, but after trying numerous times to make it work, I give up. These stupid machines!

Arson Fire Strikes China Castle Restaurant

On September 4, 1993 at 1:20 a.m. firefighters were sent to 710 East King Street, China Castle Restaurant for a building fire. More than 150 firefighter’s battled a two-alarm fire that destroyed a portion of the former SWID Brothers department store. Firefighters had fire through the roof upon their arrival at the large one story masonry building. It took firefighters two hours to control the blaze. The restaurant sustained extensive fire and smoke damage. Flames spread through the ceiling into the original portion of the building that once housed the Pa. Turnpike engineers destroying that portion of the structure. Because of a roof collapse firefighters battled the blaze with three elevated master streams. Two firefighters were slightly injured and treated and released from Chambersburg Hospital. A damage estimate was not available; the cause was listed as arson. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies battled the blaze.

White Church Road Duplex Destroyed

On September 3, 2000 at 1:40 a.m. firefighters were sent to 5820 White Church Road for a house fire. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a frame duplex undergoing renovations. Firemen from seven companies were on the scene 2 ½ hours. Two firefighters were injured and treated at the scene. A damage estimate was not available. The West End Fire and Rescue, Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies responded.

Arson Fire Damages Earl Street Home

On September 2, 1984 at 5:00 a.m. firefighters were sent to 28 N. Earl Street for a house fire. An arson fire caused $5,000 in damage to a vacant 2-½-story frame multi-family dwelling. The fires was confined to one room on the first floor with heat and smoke damage to the first floor and smoke damage to the second floor. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm.

Mobile Home Destroyed In The 51 Box

On September 1, 1997 at 9:03 p.m. firefighters were dispatched to a mobile home fire at 9280 Otterbein Church Road. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a mobile home. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose companies assisted at the scene.

Two-Alarm Fire On East King Street

On August 31, 1988 at 10:17 a.m. Shippensburg firefighters were alerted to a structure fire at 16 East King Street. When firefighter arrived they encountered heavy smoke showing from the third floor windows of the three-story taxpayer. The blaze began in a third floor rear bedroom and destroyed the apartment and caused smoke and water damage to apartments on the second and third floors and two businesses on the first floor. One civilian was injured and transported to Chambersburg Hospital and 13 firefighters were treated at the scene for various injuries.

Firefighters from 10 companies answered the two-alarm fire and had it under control at 11:02 a.m. The last units left the scene at 2:00 p.m. The fire was caused by an electrical problem in the third floor apartment. Damages were estimated in excess of $200,000. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies answered the alarm.

Appliance Malfunction Causes $30,000 In Damages

On August 30, 2006 at 2:45 p.m. Cumberland County 911 alerted Box 52-01 for a house fire at 632 Brad Street. A malfunctioning dehumidifier sparked a blaze that gutted the basement of a 1-1/2-story house. Firefighters initially had trouble locating the origin do to the intense heat and heavy smoke. The house was sealed up tight contributing to the conditions but it also suffocated the fire keeping to the basement. One firefighter suffered minor injuries. Damages were estimated at $30,000. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies operated on the scene for about three hours.

Richard Avenue House Damaged By Fire

On August 29, 1937 at 7:45 p.m. firemen responded to a house fire on Richard Avenue. Fire started at the base of the stairwell leading to the attic in the duplex destroying the roof and attic in both sides. A damage estimate was not available. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm.

This photograph appeared in today's edition of The News Chronicle in 1958. Wouldn't it be great to have an original of this instead of a copy from microfilm. In years to come more of my photos and slides will be scanned and put up on the site. I have one good photo of the old station before the addition was added and of the engine and tanker in this photograph but I have none of the utility shown here.

If anyone has any photos they want to share with the site please contact me and we will get them on. Also if anyone has any photos they want to sell or trade I am always interested in anything I don't have from Cumberland and Franklin counties.

Farmhouse Well Involved

On August 28, 2006 at 12:57 a.m. firefighters were dispatched to 4645 Olde Scotland Road, Greene Township for a house fire. First arriving units found a large 2-½ story vacant farmhouse well involved. Firefighters from nine companies needed approximately 30 minutes to control the fire and remained on the scene for over two hours. The fire was later ruled arson. The Vigilant Hose, Cumberland Valley Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies assisted at the scene.

Barn And Crops Destroyed In Fire Of Unknown Origin

On August 27, 1929 around 7 p.m. Shippensburg firemen were sent to the Frank Hollar farm on the old Carlisle Pike just east of town for a barn fire. Both companies made good time getting to the scene but were unable to do anything to save the building because of the lack of water. Destroyed was a 30-by-80 foot building containing 19 tons of baled straw and 35 to 40 tons of hay. Damages were estimated at $2,000. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies answered the alarm. On August 11, 1926 a barn was destroyed by fire on the same property.

Have you ever noticed the amount of fires I post that were barn fires? I have not kept track of them but from typing it seems as if there is allot spread out over 150 plus years.

Family Losses Home Near Lurgan

On August 26, 1963 at 8:29 p.m. firemen were alerted to a mobile home fire on Star Route 3, near Lurgan. The occupant ignited the oil-heating unit that ignited spilled oil that spread along the fuel line to the storage tank. The tank went up in flames eventually exploding, tearing apart the rear portion of the home. There was little firemen from two companies could do to save the structure. A family of three was left homeless by the fire that caused $4,000 in damage. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm. Earlier in the evening at 7:35 p.m. all three Shippensburg Fire companies responded to a vehicle fire at the Burd Street parking lot.

The photograph of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company fleet was taken in 1992 for the CCVFA convention book.

Chambersburg Firemen Prohibited From Riding Running Boards

On August 25, 1927 the drivers of the Chambersburg Fire Department were instructed by Fire Marshall Howard Forbes to prohibit firemen from riding on the running boards and fenders of the fire apparatus while en route to and returning from calls. The fire marshal explained that there is a state law-forbidding firemen to ride on the sides of fire trucks.

Barn Burns Down Two Miles East Of Town

On August 24, 1936 around noon firemen were alerted to a barn fire two miles east of Shippensburg. The fire of undetermined origin destroyed the 50 by 80 foot barn, a milk house, hog pen, a bull and sow, machinery and crops. The engine was of little use because the level of the water in the well was 30 feet and the engine was unable to obtain a draft. Firemen did what they could to protect exposures. Damages were estimated at $5,000 to $6,000. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm.

Barn Destroyed In St. Thomas Twp

On August 23, 2003 at 11:10 p.m. units were alerted to a barn fire at 8878 Edenville-Cheesetown Road, St. Thomas Township. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed a barn and its contents. Firefighters from 19 companies battled the three-alarm blaze, and remained on the scene until 6:07 a.m. One firefighter suffered minor injuries. Damages were estimated in excess of $80,000. The Vigilant Hose and West End Fire and Rescue companies assisted at the scene.

Vigilant Hose Orders Motorized Chemical Truck

On August 22, 1923 it was mentioned that at a recent meeting of the Vigilant Hose Company that the company had decided to order a motorized hose and chemical wagon. The chassis was purchased from the J. L. Miller dealership and the work was to be performed by H. B. McPherson of Chambersburg. This would become the Vigilant’s second motorized rig and when the Ford along with the C. V.’s recently rebuilt chemical engine arrives it will complete the motorization of the Shippensburg Fire Department.

This is the only photograph I have ever found of this rig. It was taken from microfilm when the company was replacing the unit.

Greene Twp. Mobile Home Gutted

On August 21, 1983 at 8:06 a.m. Franklin County communications center dispatched firefighters to a mobile home fire at 640 Mickey Inn Road, Lot 77, Greene Township. When firefighters arrived flames were evident from the back portion of the home. It only took minutes for the firefighters from four companies to control the fire and they remained on the scene for one and a half hours. The fire started in a mattress but it was unknown exactly how. A family of four was left homeless in the blaze that caused $10,000 in damages. The West End Fire and Rescue Company assisted at the scene.

Pleasant Hall Barn Burns

On August 20, 1937 at 3:20 p.m. lightning struck a barn one mile west of Pleasant Hall. Firemen had to respond and fight the fire in a driving rainstorm. Firemen were on the scene and had a stream of water playing in 15 minutes. Apparatus remained on the scene nearly two hours. Along with the barn a truck, 25 acres of wheat and 18 acres of rye were destroyed. Damages were estimated at $3,500. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm.

The West End Fire and Rescue Company, circa 1982.

Wash House Roof Destroyed

On August 19, 1955 in the afternoon hours firemen responded to a blaze at the Glenn Martin residence six miles west of Shippensburg on the Rowe Road. Firemen were delayed in their response by a passing freight train through the center of town. The fire was confined to the roof of the wash house. The blaze began when the chimney became overheated while the owner was roasting corn for storage. The Vigilant Hose Company extinguished the fire.

Fire Destroys Mt. Rock Barn

On August 18, 1933 at 3:00 p.m. firemen were sent to Mt. Rock near the Molly Pitcher Highway for a barn fire. By the time firemen arrived there was little they could save as fire destroyed the barn, farm machinery and a ford truck. Damages were estimated at $5,000. It was believed the fire was set by a tramp. The Vigilant Hose Company answered the alarm.