Looking Back - Pottsville Fire Department

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A began doing a "looking back" e-mail which reviews historic fires that the Pottsville Fire Department fought at various times. It has evolved a little depending on the time I have to devote to the research. Generally, I've come to do a monthly "look back" at notable time intervals (10, 20, 25 years, etc.). I figured I could post the information here as well. For those who subscribe to the Fire History Yahoo group, it's along the lines of the info that Dave Houseal and Jesse Shutt put out daily.

I'll post a few to get caught-up a little...

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MARCH

As mentioned before, March has historically been tough for the PFD. Needless to say, there is a lot to look back on at different intervals:

10 years ago:
3/12/99 - Box 523 - 09:24 - 710 Mt. Hope Ave. 2 year old Jeffrey Slane died in the first floor of the 2.5 story end-of-row dwelling. His father, Timothy Slane, jumped from a rear 2nd floor window into the backyard to escape the fire. Fire began in a sofa on the east side of the 1st floor front room. Heavy fire was showing from the 1st floor front when Asst. Chief Witmier (then P3) arrived from 1/2 block away at Da-Mar Fire Protection. First-arriving E11 led-off with a 1.75" handline through the front door. L51 obtained some good dash-cam video of scene upon arrival. 710 sustained extensive fire damage. 712 sustained heavy smoke and check-for-extension damage. 714 sustained smoke damage. www.pottsvillefire.com/multimedia.htm

15 years ago:
3/8/94 - STILL - 03:51 - 1239 Mahantongo St. - E11, 71, L51, T61. Multi-car garage to the rear of the dwelling was well-involved on arrival. Limited response (2 + 1) due to snow. E11 added as extra engine. Laid dual 3" supply lines from hydrant at 12th & Mahantongo.

20 years ago:
3/1/89 - Box 443 - 01:45 - 1530 Howard Ave. Arson fire caused approximately $100,000 damage to the large private dwelling. Slate roof caused some ventilation challenges. Neighbors reported hearing and "explosion" shortly before fire was discovered.
3/8/89 - STILL - 22:00 hrs. - 500 W. Bacon St., Palo Alto. Large wood-frame warehouse (Rags to Riches) containing textile waste and private dwelling destroyed. Phoenix, American Hose, Humane, Yorkville, and Good Intent responded. This was an old fashioned "big one" which featured plenty of fire, plenty of ice, and spread smoke throughout the city. Humane laid 5" across the bridge from the Pottsville Hospital to the scene. Good Intent pumped the hydrant in the City. There was some very good video of Phoenix's ladder pipe operation in front of the building, including footage of their aerial starting to "steam-up." Surprisingly by today's standards, only 8 companies fought this fire: 5 City companies, both Palo Alto companies, and Pt. Carbon.

3/18/89 - Box 57 - 23:16 - 647 N. 2nd St. - 1st floor room & contents in vacant dwelling. Arson.

25 years ago:
3/5/84 - Box 25 - 08:56 - 512-514 Hotel St. Ginger Trabosh (28) and her son, Jason Haller (5) died in 512. The father, John Haller, sustained burns and lacerations when he jumped from the 2nd floor front bedroom window. Three other children ((Crystal (10), John, Jr. (3), and Alysia (7 mos)) were dropped to passerby Robert Weissmiller who caught them. An occupant of the home, Robert Carl, age 34, was sleeping on the first floor of the home when he awoke to discover fire on the first floor. The Hallers were upstairs. John Haller ran downstairs and both men tried to extinguish the fire using buckets of water. Haller ran back upstairs to his family and quickly became trapped. Carl ran out the first floor. The parents appeared at the 2nd floor window as Weissmiller called to them to drop the children. One by one they disappeared into the smoke and returned with a child. When the third child was dropped, flames began to appear at the 2nd floor ceiling. Haller yelled for his wife to jump and then hurled himself through another front bedroom window. When 10 year old Alyssa was dropped, her foot caught on the window sill and her body contacted the hot exterior of the burning building. She hung there for a second until Weissmiller jumped up and pulled her down. She was transported to the Pottsville Hospital by a passing Warner Cable Co. service truck driven by Michael Scribbick, Pottsville area, and was later transferred to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. The home was well-involved when fire companies arrived (E71 arrived first-due). Fire destroyed the wood-frame duplex. The official cause is listed as "Unknown," but was believed to have been electrical in nature with origin in a wall on the southwest side of the first floor. When the bodies were discovered, Ginger Trabosh was approximately 3 feet from the bedroom window and her son was approximately 6 feet from the window. There were no smoke detectors in the home. The fire occurred during a snowfall. Occupants and losses: J. Haller (512) - $12,000; V. Wallace (514) - $8,000.
3/7/84 - Box 56 - 15:46 - 909-911 Fairview St. - Arson fire ran porches and front of the vacant homes. Loss: $2,000.
3/19/84 - Box 244 - 23:34 - 502 Jefferson St. Homeowner Richard Hallick came home to find his house on fire. He entered the front door and crawled into the dining room where he found his wife, Beverly Hallick, unconscious. He dragged her out through the kitchen door. The 2 story single-family dwelling was well-involved when companies arrived. The fire was caused when candles ignited curtains. Loss: $49,200.

30 years ago:
3/12/79 - Box 324 - 06:35 - 1316 Mahantongo St. Overheated chimney pipe caused $20,000 damage to the Patrick McGeever residence.

35 years ago:
3/1/74 - Box 65 - 13:30 - 437 Front St. B & L Body shop heavily damaged. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $6500
3/7/74 - Box 15 - 16:24 - 452-454-456 Adams. St. Heavy fire on arrival from the row of frame dwellings. Radiant heat also damaged the exterior of 15 S. Jackson St. Cause: Unknown.
3/28/74 - Box 76 - 03:36 - 1966-1968 W. Market St. Pottsville Patrolman James Greenberg was on routine patrol when he discovered flames coming from a second floor window at 1968 W. Market St., owned by Mrs. Jane Gallagher. Greenberg kicked open the front door and attempted to go upstairs, but was stopped by the flames, heat, and smoke. An unidentified neighbor arrived and informed Patrolman Greenberg that a woman, Stella Rhoades, was living in a third floor apartment in the house. Greenberg was unable to reach her. Arriving on scene with Yorkville's 1967 Maxim Quad (then P-61), firefighters Joe Burns and Todd March donned SCBA and entered the home. They located and removed Mrs. Rhoades, who was taken to Pottsville Hospital and admitted for smoke inhalation. Neither Mrs. Gallagher nor her daughter, Molly, were home at the time of the fire. The cause is listed as "unknown," but is believe to have started in the 2nd floor front bedroom of the home. The 2nd and 3rd floors were heavily damaged by fire with the 1st floor suffering smoke and water damage. 1966, owned by Mrs. Florence Lord, was also damaged. Fire loss: 1968 - $22,500; 1966 - $7,000. Greenberg, Burns, and March were all presented with citations by the City for the rescue.
3/31/74 - Box 41 - 03:02 - 1252-1254-1256-1258-1260 W. Arch St. Vacant row frames owned by the Pottsville Redevelopment Authority. 4 were gutted and 2 were heavily damaged. Cause: Unknown, but considered a "suspicious" fire. Loss: Unknown. West End returned later in the day for a rekindle.

40 years ago:
3/8/69 - Box 523 - 10:45 - 303-305 N. 9th St. Basement fire caused $4,860.68 damage to the dwellings. Cause: Unknown.

45 years ago:
3/27/64 - Box 27 - 16:50 - Saylor Planing Mill, Palo Alto. On a windy day, the lumberyard was destroyed that was located between Pottsville and Palo Alto. Box 27 was transmitted and all City companies responded. The Good Intent has good "Super 8" video of this fire.

50 years ago:
3/23/59 - STILL - 17:00 - 200 Block Second St., Pt. Carbon. Humane, American Hose, Yorkville. Fire destroyed two garages and heavily damaged the Nicholas Murray residence at 230 Second St. This home was the end of the row of 4 frame homes. The home at 228 Second St. received slight damage. PCFD Chief William Wilson had "Command." Good Will Pt. Carbon was at the hydrant at 2nd & Nicholas, Schoentown at the hydrant at 1st & Lawton, Citizens of Palo Alto at the hydrant at 2nd & Market, and Yorkville of Pottsville at the hydrant at 3rd & Grand.

80 years ago:
3/12/29 - Box 36- 01:30 - Rear 311 W. Market St. Occupant: Leader Furniture & G. Tailor. Cause: Careless smoking. Loss: $14,400

95 years ago:
3/18/1914 - Box 32 - 12:06 - 4th & Schuylkill. 2.5 story frame dwelling occupied by Diamond & O'Brien. Cause: Oil stove set fire to clothes in attic. Loss: $229.80.
3/22/1914 - Box 23 - 10:42 - Greenwood Hill. 3 story frame dwelling owned by Joseph Medlar and occupied by Medlar and Levy. Cause: spark carried in from fire in yard. Loss: $2023.50.

150 years ago:
3/31/1859 - 04:00. 3 frame houses completely destroyed on High (Race) St. above 3rd. Occupied by Mary Williams and others.

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FEBRUARY

This round of past fires features two that I'm sure some guys will remember and two that I'm sure most will not...

30 years ago...

2/18/79 - Box 312 - 21:50 - 218-220-300 Schuylkill Ave. Cause: Electrical short. Loss: $70,000.

The double-block frame homes at 218 &220 were well-involved when units arrived with fire extending across S. Third St. to involve the 3 story apartment building at 300 Schuylkill Ave. as well. The fire began in the basement of the vacant home at 220, which was used for storage by the occupants of 218. The "B" wall of 220 collapsed onto S. Third St., resulting in a shoulder injury to Jim Hampford of Yorkville. A "second alarm" was transmitted for two additional City pumpers to bring water from Mahantongo St. and South Centre St. Companies began clearing the scene at 23:30 and at midnight, Port Carbon, Palo Alto, and Minersville were released from stand-by. Engine 71 was the last to clear the scene at 02:30. Compounding the heavy fire conditions in a very tight neighborhood was the fact that the fire occurred during a snowstorm that dumped 8-12 inches of snow throughout the area with temperatures barely reaching double-digits. A drive-by today shows a relatively small footprint for the three buildings that doesn't really reflect the heavy fire conditions that night. I remember that 3 story apartment building at 300 stood for a few years after the fire with significant fire damage to the building.

35 years ago...

2/24/74 - Still - 17:15 - Angela Sportswear factory in Pt. Carbon. American Hose, Yorkville, West End, Greenwood Hill, and Good Will responded. The three story factory at First and Washington Sts. was completely destroyed. Pottsville Good Will has a great color photo in their day room of their 1964 GMC/American 750 gpm pumper on scene with heavy fire out the windows of the factory. Minersville's snorkel was also in service along with West End's 1960 Seagrave 65'/750 gpm quint. The loss was estimated at $150,000 with 80 left without jobs. The preliminary cause was believed to have been children playing with matches in the loading dock area. The building formerly housed the Ritz Movie Theater.

60 years ago...

#1) 2/14/49 - Box 18 - 18:30 - E. Arch and Coal Sts. Pottsville "Upper Shops." Cause: Undetermined. Loss: $70,000.

This building stood where the Dollar General (formerly the Acme, American Rehab, etc.) is today at E. Arch and Progress Ave. This complex was part of the Pottsville Castings and Machine Shops. It was known as the "Upper Shops." The "Lower Shops" were located at present-day Rt. 61 & E. Norwegian Sts. in the area of the A Plus Mini Market and the Medical Center. The fire was discovered by the night watchman. The cause was officially listed as "undetermined," but it was believed to have been caused by an oil heater which ignited wooden flasks, which surrounded the sand molds for the castings. The roof was well-involved on arrival with fire out all the windows on the Railroad St. (Progress Ave.) side. The main body of fire was directly across from the rear of the old Capitol Theater (which was threatened by flying brands landing on the roof). 4 Firefighters were injured: James Bowers (West End): broken leg after falling into a 4' pit on the ground floor; George Wollyung (YH): lacerated right hand; Carl Hasenauer (YH): debris in eyes; Charles Snyder (AH): sprained ankle. The fire was very spectacular as you can imagine from the size of the building. American Hose stood fire watch overnight.

American Hose also struck a parked sedan on East Arch St. between Centre and Logan Alley while responding. Leo Ney was driving the rig (presumably their 1948 ALF 1500 gpm pumper?). Imagine that, American Hose going the wrong way on a one-way street to get to a call!! LOL. Whether E. Arch St. was one-way West at that time is another question!?



#2) 2/27/49 - Box 33 - 13:13 - 1515 Mahantongo St. Occupant: Russel Suender. Cause: Undetermined. Loss: $23,000.

As Mr. and Mrs. Suender and one of their children, Gail, sat down to Sunday dinner, their neighbor, Mark Gay called to say that their home was on fire. The family safely evacuated the home. Police Desk Sgt. Norm Kline transmitted Box 33 after a telephone alarm of the fire. The fire began in a third floor bedroom and swept through all of the third floor, burning away much of the roof. It took one hour to bring the fire under control. It was reported that all fire companies except Greenwood Hill answered the alarm (they responded to boxes on the East Side only). Firefighters operating inside the home narrowly escaped injury when the 2nd floor stairway collapsed. This home is still standing on Mahantongo St. today.

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JANUARY

This month marks the 25th anniversary of one of the more challenging commercial fires Pottsville has faced - particularly in recent times. At 17:50 hrs on January 18, 1984, Box 511 at 9th & Laurel Blvd. was pulled for a fire at the Reiland Potato Chip Company on the southeast corner at 9th & Laurel. A telephone alarm was also received simultaneously. A working fire was readily apparent from virtually all parts of the City as heavy fire was venting along the 9th St. side of the building as companies arrived. I'm sure there are a lot of guys who remember fighting this fire and others, like me, being an interested spectator. This was shortly before I joined the PFD and with my parents' 2-story garage being an "exposure" directly across Mine St., I kinda had a reluctant front row seat!



There are many good photos out there of the Reiland's fire, including a couple in the Pottsville Firefighting book. They give a very good overview of the building itself and the general apparatus placement. Liberty Fire Co. of Schuylkill Haven (1981 Car-Mar 1250 gpm pumper) dropped 1500' of 5" (at the time, Liberty was one of the only engines to carry 5") and pumped the hydrant at 14th & Laurel Blvd. Of particular note is the great job the PFD did in keeping the fire from extending into the vacant warehouse formerly used by the Pomeroy's Department Store. This huge wood-frame, asphalt shingled building was located no more than 5 feet from Reiland's to the east (or "B" side, considering Laurel Blvd. the front or "A" side). It's funny that in the neighborhood, the vacant Pomeroy's Warehouse was always thought to be the most significant fire hazard...and then the Chip Factory burned!



Control was marked at 19:45 hrs., with the final company clearing the scene at 04:30. Good Intent returned for a rekindle on 1/19 at 14:52 and Humane returned on 1/21 at 16:57. The fire continued to smolder in the large quantity of cardboard boxes contained in the factory. In fact, the rekindle may have been the last time the Good Intent used the "bayonet" applicator on the Rockwood (aka "Navy") nozzle...it remains slightly bent to this day. Fire damage was $665,000 and 15 employees were left without jobs. I have the official cause listed as "undetermined," but I believe a malfunctioning portable kerosene heater was a prime suspect. Fire companies from Minersville, Pt. Carbon, St. Clair, Palo Alto, Mt. Carbon, and Mar Lin were placed on stand-by. The remains of the building stood for quite some time before it was actually demolished. My dad compared the fire to the Pottsville Showcase fire (1/19/1971) in terms of the challenges the weather conditions posed...a snowstorm followed by very cold temps.



Obviously, Reiland's never rebuilt. However, the site has provided a home for Pottsville EMS. Not to jinx him, but every day Kurt parks his truck at almost the exact spot where the heavy fire was showing on arrival! The photos below are actually from the PFD slides and are available on the PFD website.



On a side note, the following day (1/19/84), the St. Mary Magdalen Church burned to the ground in Lost Creek. There was a large response in the northern part of the County for that job.

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While beginning some preliminary work on the April "looking back" for the PFD, I hit this fire in Schuylkill Haven. While it didn't really fit into the time frames that I was reviewing, it looked like a pretty good job worth noting. I was going to hold-off and ship this closer to Easter, but I figured if I waited I'd forget!

4/17/1960 - 06:25 - American Hose, Yorkville, Good Will

The fire occurred early Easter Sunday morning at Angelo's Town Tavern at 11 W. Main St. and the Reading Restaurant at 9 W. Main St. These businesses were located in a three story frame building with apartments above, which stepped-down to two stories in the rear. Also damaged was the Palsgrove Hardware Store at 13 W. Main St. Schuylkill Haven Fire Chief Paul Hinnernutsz said the fire was of undetermined origin, but began in the bedroom or bathroom in an apartment above Angelo's. Angelo Stramara, proprietor of the tavern, was alone in the upstairs apartment when he awoke at approximately 6AM to the smell of smoke. Stramara tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher, but was unsuccessful. He ran to the Reading Railroad Station across the street and phoned in the alarm. At about the same time, a newspaper delivery man, Charles Kubich, pulled the street box when he saw the building burning. Haven firefighters were met with heavy fire in the interior stairwell going to the second floor when they arrived. The upper floors of the building were completely gutted. The roof of the Palsgrove Hardware Store was also damaged. Damage estimates were approximately $75,000. It took 2 hours to bring the fire under control. Yorkville and Schuylkill Hose drafted from the Schuylkill River to supply water to the fire. Other than the Stramara's apartment, all others in the building were vacant.

Hinnernutsz requested help from Pottsville, Orwigsburg, and Cressona. Pottsville sent American Hose (either their '48 ALF 1500 gpm pumper or their '52 ALF 750 gpm pumper), Yorkville ('49 Maxim 750 gpm quad), and Good Will ('52 GMC/American 750 gpm pumper). The guys from Haven can correct me, but I believe Schuylkill Hose would have had their 20's Seagrave and '49 Chevy/Oren, Liberty would have had both the L and B model Macks, and Rainbow would have had the classic-style Seagrave pumper and quad. Cressona # 1 would have had their '51 GMC/American that was very similar (aside from it being red) to Pottsville Good Will's rig, and Orwigsburg would have had their Ford/Oren. Good Will, Cressona I'm not sure about. I'm also not sure if one or both Cressona companies responded.

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I’m shipping this a little early due to the fire on Fairview St. Monday… 307 Fairview was damaged on April 29, 1975. Box 52 was transmitted at 02:24. Fire originated in 401 Fairview, which was vacant. Heavy exterior fire from 401 and 403 greeted companies on arrival. Fire extended from 401 to damage 307 as well. 401 was vacant with no fire loss indicated. 403 was owned by Robert Butler and suffered $3900 in damage. 307 was occupied by Joan Shappel and Catherine Brennan with damage totaling $2500. The fire was termed “suspicious” with the cause undetermined.

25 Years Ago:

4/27/84 - Box 55 - 12:58 - 726 N. 13th St. Owner: W. Solan. Cause: Plastic items placed on hot stove. Loss: $50,000.

Firefighters arrived at the 3 story frame home to find heavy fire venting from the rear 1st floor kitchen area and the rear porch well-off. Box 55 was hooked by a passerby. Fire damage was largely contained to the first floor with heavy heat and smoke damage to the remainder of the home.



Not a fire, but a noteworthy event: 4/30/84 - STILL - 19:10 and 5/1/84 - STILL - 12:50. Yorkville R63. Assistance requested by State Police for search and rescue on Sharp Mountain, Branch Township. 6 individuals died when their 4WD vehicle plunged down an open mine shaft.



30 Years Ago:



4/4/79 - Box 723 - 15:13 - 21 S. 21st St. - Occupant: Anthony Marasco. Cause: Vapors from drum of glue ignited. Loss: $1000.



35 Years Ago:



4/11/74 - STILL - 08:03 - Seider's Beer Hall, Gordon Nagle Trail. Yorkville, West End, Good Intent, and Greenwood Hill.

A gas heater exploed in the 100 year old 1.5 story wood frame tavern. Firefighters arrived with the bulidng fully involved. The Cressona Fire

Department also responded. On 2/22/74, Robert Dreher, Jr. of Frackville was shot to death at the tavern by David F. Seiders of Pottsville during

an altercation. Seiders' father owned the tavern.



4/14/74 - Box 72 - 20:38 - 1944 Mahantongo St. Occupant: Jack Schuster. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $20,277.



40 Years Ago:



4/1/69 - Box 115 - 18:20 - 208-210 N. 2nd St. Occupants: June Schell and Josephine Joulwan. Fire began in the kitchen. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $2500.



4/5/69 - STILL - 23:40 - Scale house at railroad yard, St. Clair. Humane and Good Will

St. Clair transmitted a general alarm for the fire. The top floor of the 2 story building was fully involved when fire companies arrived.

Mill Creek Fire Company responded also. Flying embers also created a problem. Units began clearing the scene at 01:15.

This was the first working fire for Alert, St. Clair's 750 gpm Mack CF pumper (the same CF they run now, refurbed in 1993). If

I'm not mistaken, this was the first diesel pumper in Schuylkill County.



4/16/69 - Box 615 - 17:35 - Aetna Steel Company, Peathingy St. Fire in the paint shop. Loss: $3650.



4/16/69 - Box 722 - 20:19 - 19th & W. Market St. Liberty Oil Co. building. Cause: Explosion & fire. Loss: $2710.

This was Golca's Atlantic Gas Station. The building still stands today as DiCello Chiropractic. Edward Golca, the owner, and

Michael Consugar of Minersville, were burned in the explosion. They were transported to the Pottsville Hospital in the fire

chief's car by Jerrry Brennan and Charlie Barone (Good Intent). Most of the fire damage was limited to the building's contents, with

no structural damage. This occurred while the 6-County Firemen's Convention Committee was meeting at Yorkville Hose, so to say that

there was a pretty heavy immeditate response would be an understatement! (66 members attended the meeting)



4/18/69 - STILL - 11:25 - Mercuri Barn at Hillside. American Hose, Good Intent, and Greenwood Hill.

The barn was fully involved and was completely destroyed.



4/21/69 - STILL - 21:55 - Robert Boyer Paint & Body Shop, Palo Alto. American Hose, Greenwood Hill, West End.



50 Years Ago:



4/1/59 - Box 35 - 06:30 - 715 Mahantongo St. Occupant: C.J. Teeple. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $10,000

Heavy fire was showing from the top floor of this 3 story duplex OMD when companies arrived. Box 35 was "hooked" at

9th & Mahantongo. The third floor of 715 was gutted. There was no extension to 717. This building is still standing on

Mahantongo St. I had a fire (unattended cooking) in the first floor apartment in the other half of the duplex apartment at 717

Mahantongo St. on 3/22/05.



4/6/59 - Box 57 - 09:15 - 644 N. 2nd St. Occupant: John Adams. Cause: Boy playing with matches ignited sofa. Loss: $200.



55 Years Ago:



4/4/54 - STILL - 11:34 - 309 N. 3rd St. Occupant: Frank Serick. Cause: Children set fire to bed on second floor. Loss: $600.



4/19/54 - STILL - 516 W. Norwegian St. Occupant: Mrs. Clay. Cause: Electrical wire circuit overloaded, set insulation on fire. Loss: $382.



65 Years Ago:



4/29/44 - Box 53 - 07:56 - 7th & Minersville St. Occupant: Mrs. Ray Adams. Cause: Unknown. Fire in cellar near furnace. Loss: $2243.

The cellar of Adams' Cafe was gutted. The fire began near the stoker. Box 53 was pulled at 6th & Minersville St. It was reported that, "three water

lines and two booster lines" were used to extinguish the fire. Control was marked after nearly an hour. The same building was extensively damaged in

another April fire (that didn't fit into the time frames!): 4/20/1940 - Box 53 - 04:55. Fire started in the back of the refigerator. Loss: $3,044.



70 Years Ago:



4/12/39 - Box 51 - 01:55 - 448 N. Centre St. Bartlett Apartments. Occupants: Mr. D. Smith and Mr. Harrison. Fire started in kitchen of second floor apartment. Fire burned through to 3rd floor. Loss: $2000.

Fire originated in the rear second floor apartment, vented out the windows, and spread to the third floor apartment. Heavy fire was showing from the rear of

the three story OMD on arrival. The first floor was occupied by Freedline's Pottsville Stove Repair Company. Companies began clearing the scene at

approximately 03:00. This is what East side of the 400 Block of N. Centre St. looked like at the time...lotsa potential back in the day!





75 Years Ago:



4/2/34 - Box 51 - 20:44 - Railroad & Minersville Sts. Steam Heat Plant. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $3500.

The Steam Heat Plant was located where the Steam Heat Parking Lot is today at Progress and Laurel. The fire largely destroyed the office portion of the

three story building along what was then Minersville St. (Laurel St. today in that stretch). It also destroyed the coal elevator tower and the woodwork

surrounding it. The roof was completely burned away. On individual was injured: James McGuire of St. Clair, in pulling the box, used his fist to break

the "doghouse" glass on Box 51 - Centre & Minersville St. The Steam Heat Plant supplied heat to 230 businesses and residences in the central business

district. Fire hit the Steam Heat Plant 35 years earlier. Fire Chief George P. Powers was nearly killed when he fell into a shaft. He was pulled-out by

William L. Stevenson, who went on to become Fire Chief, and several other firemen.



4/18/34 - Box 18 and 51 - 03:42 - Railroad & E. Race Sts. Occupant: Sheeler Garage and Liederkrantz Hall. Cause: Unknown. Night man, Joseph Grace, found in building overcome by smoke and died. Loss: $2500.

Located on the northwest corner of present day Progress and E. Race St., the 2 story brick garage of R.W. Sheeler (1st floor) and the Liederkranz Social

Club (2nd floor) was heavily damaged. The fire originated in the office of the garage on the first floor, just underneath the interior stairway. Box 18 at

Centre & Market and Box 51 (again) at Centre & Minersville were both pulled. A telephone alarm was also received at City Hall. Joseph Grace, age 19, was

an employee of the garage. After the fire was under control, he was located by firefighter Earl Snyder lying partially under an automobile in the garage. He

had no burns on his body. Death was caused by "fumes and smoke." It was reported that he was breathing, but unconscious when he was taken to the

hospital and was pronounced dead approximately an hour later. It was believe that Grace awoke to discover the fire, ran to the washroom to get a bucket of

water, and was "overcome by monoxide gas." This was Fire Chief George Smith's first fire fatality.



80 Years Ago:



4/2/29 - Box 514 - 02:55 - 1508 Minersville (Mt. Hope Ave) St. Occupant: W. Petrosky. Cause: Defective flue. Loss: $2550.

The fire destroyed the two story frame home. The Petrosky family was asleep when the fire was discovered. Two of the Petrosky children were

carried from the burning home to the home of a neighbor by Chauffer Eisenacher (aka "Knocker") of the Good Intent, who was the first to arrive at

Box 514 . The home was heavily involved in fire on arrival. The building collapsed, catching several firefighters as it fell. William Curtier of the Humane was

seriously injured and was admitted to the Pottsville Hospital with lacerations, bruises, and a possible fractured skull. Fire Chief Stevenson narrowly

missed the collapse.



4/9/29 - Box 26 - 02:35 - Railroad & Union Sts. Occupant: E. Bergan. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $4000.



85 Years Ago:



4/24/24 - Box 64 - 11:30 - 316 Prospect St. Occupant Robert Horn. Cause: Defective flue. Fire traveled in partition walls in 2nd floor. Walls opened and fire extinguished with "chemicals." Loss: $100.



130 Years Ago:



4/23/1879 The old Mt. Carbon Rolling Mill was entirely destroyed by fire.



140 Years Ago:



4/15/1869 Two incendiary fires: One at Candy's Store on Railroad St. and one at the Ten Pin Alley to the rear of Town Hall.

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5 Years Ago:



5/5/04 - 20:07 - Box 511 - 323 N. 9th St. 2 rooms on 2nd floor. Fire out the second floor on arrival. 9-1-1 call received as well as pulled street box (511) at 9th & Laurel. Fire is also featured in the PFD banner at the top of the website home page (last photo on right).



5/23/04 - 19:24 - Still - 11 River St., Cressona. Good Intent, American Hose, West End. Multiple Dwelling destroyed.



15 Years Ago:



5/1/94 - 22:12 - Box 63 - 125 W. Railroad St. 2nd floor room & contents.



20 Years Ago:



5/27/89 - 17:50 - Box 34 - 416 Boone St. Basement fire with minor extension. Companies were in the process of clearing-up from a minor kitchen fire at 543 E. Market St. (Box 18 - 17:38) when box was struck for Boone St. First-due engine was Humane's old, old E32 ('64 Seagrave 250 gpm/400 gal). We stretched first 1.5" line through the front door off E32 while E11 stretched a 1.5" line into the basement in the rear. If I remember correctly, a couple of E11 firefighters were zapped a little by some electrical wiring in the basement.



25 Years Ago:



5/5/84 - 09:26 - Box 216 - 375 S. Centre St. Owner: J. Kapsha. Cause: Coal-fired boiler exploded. Loss: $20,000.

This explosion was heard for blocks around and threw shards of glass and rubble across the street. Thomas Powell (aka “Pally” of downtown lore) was the only occupant in the building at the time. He was watching a western on television in his 2nd floor apartment when the explosion knocked the cabinets off his kitchen wall. Based on his history, his inebriation probably muffled the effects of the explosion a little!

5/9/84 - 19:05 - Box 51 - 216 N. Centre St. Kitchen fire in 2nd floor apartment. Occupant: M. Webb. Cause: Unattended Cooking. The occupant, Diane Webb, had fallen asleep with food on the stove. The resulting fire ignited a portion of the kitchen as well. Residents of the apartment building knocked some of the fire down with dry chemical extinguishers initially. Mrs. Webb was admitted to the Pottsville Hospital with smoke inhalation.



Shortly before the box, at 18:30 hrs., Good Intent and Greenwood Hill extinguished a well-involved vehicle fire in the bus terminal parking lot off East Norwegian St.



30 Years Ago:



5/18/79 - 13:20 - Box 57 - 301-303 Fairview St. Cause: Careless smoking. Loss: $20,000. Fire began in the bedroom and quickly spread through the small apartment of Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Zweizig. Mrs. Zweizig had fallen off a chair and injured her head before the fire. The couple left their 7-month old son, Kenneth, at a neighbor's apartment as they proceeded to the Good Samaritan Hospital. It was there that they learned of the fire and returned to the building. All residents of the apartment building, including the Zweizig child, were safely evacuated. The Zweizig apartment was gutted and the remainder of the building suffered smoke and water damage. Asst Chief Dusel (Good Will) had "command."



35 Years Ago:



5/28/74 - 14:00 - Still - Stand-By in Minersville. Yorkville & Greenwood Hill. Companies on stand-by while building was on fire.



40 Years Ago:



5/5/69 - 11:10 - Box 45 - 220 N. 10th St. Occupant: Joan Vidal. Cause: Careless smoking. Loss: $400. Fire was confined to the second floor front bedroom of the home.



5/31/69 - 02:00 - Still - North Manheim Twp. Good Intent pavilion on fire at the company’s picnic grove at Hillside. American Hose, West End, Good Will and, of course, Good Intent. Companies pumped from a nearby swimming pool to obtain water. Unlike the pavilion today, this was an actual building - affectionately referred to as the "shack." The cause of the fire is – and will likely remain forever – “unknown.”



50 Years Ago:



5/7/59 - 12:01 - Box 25 - Centre & Mauch Chunk. Homan Gas Station. Gas explosion in sump pit. Pump motor caused arc, which ignited gas fumes. Loss: $350. The service station attendant and another youth were seriously burned in a flash fire in the grease pit at the Esso Service Centre (across from the Hope Tower, where Empire Glass had been). Burned were Ed Drummer, age 25, of 393 Hotel St. and James Sullivan, age 16, of 537 Hotel St. A 1957 model 4-door sedan was also damaged in the fire.



55 Years Ago:



5/30/54 - 07:15 - Still - 901 Fairview St. Occupant: Al Troutman. Fire started in bedroom on 2nd floor. Cause: Careless smoking. Loss: $4,940. This was a 2 story frame right on the corner of 9th & Fairview. The home is no longer there. This place was going pretty good on the 2nd floor, but the response was held to a still with 5 companies responding. The log doesn't list the companies, but the photo from the paper clearly shows West End's 1937 Ahrens-Fox 500gpm "Emergency Car" and Humane's 1929 Buffalo hose & booster truck.







60 Years Ago:



5/29/49 - 16:12 - Box 41 - 12th & Russell Sts. Reading Railway Co. Cause: Unkown. Old building in the rear of the Lehigh Valley depot. Loss: $500.



75 Years Ago:



5/1/34 - 15:35 - Still - Glenworth near Hillside. Occupant: Wm. Daubert. Chief, Good Intent, American Hose responded.

An overheated stove caused the total loss of the William Daubert home. The fire also severely threatened the Elmer Dieter homestead. The semi-detached kitchen and several trees of the Deiter property were ignited, but tin siding saved the home proper. Strong winds were a contributing factor as the Daubert home burned to the ground. Surrounding brush also ignited on several occasions.



5/7/34 - 15:15 - Still - Branchdale. Brush fire caused 10 houses to burn down. Chief sent West End, Yorkville, and Humane.

This fire began in the vicinity of Buck Run and swept in a southeasterly direction and virtually encircled Branchdale. It was driven by winds which were described as “gale like.” Fire companies from Pottsville, Minersville, Llewellyn, Branchdale, St. Clair, Forestville, Donaldson, and Tremont fought the fire. Fire Chief Smith of Pottsville initially sent Yorkville and West End to the scene and a short time later sent the Humane as well. Minersville companies were sent to the “School Row” area to protect a dozen or so homes there. Branchdale was positioned just southeast of the Phoenix Park Colliery to protect the school house and the homes along the street running north. Yorkville and West End teamed-up to stretch 1100 feet of 2.5” hose from the creek in town to the top of what was known as “Company Hill.” Traffic was stopped on what is now Route 209 as heavy smoke and driving flames almost trapped several motorists. Pottsville companies returned home at 21:30 hrs.

No exact estimate of acreage burned was provided, but 10 homes were destroyed, the “Otto fanhouse” was destroyed as were the mule stables there, and 26 mine cars were burned. I believe the Otto fanhouse was part of the Phoenix Park Colliery.

While responding along the Branchdale road (Rt. 209, I presume), a fire truck overturned a stove and heater standing on the side of the road where it had taken from the Renninger gas station and placed for safety. It was not reported which rig hit the appliances.



80 Years Ago:



5/5/29 - 15:45 - Box 42 - 702 W. Market St. Occupant: Shirt factory and home of J. Auerback. Cause: Electric Iron. Loss: $4,000. Auerback owned shirt factories in both St. Clair and Tamaqua as well as the one in this dwelling. The iron had been left on and, shortly after Auerback left the premesis, the ironing board evidently collapsed, setting fire to the stock.



5/19/29 - 01:45 - Box 51 - 2nd & Sanderson Sts. Occupant: Mike Dunn 12 family apartment house. Cause: Unkown. Loss: $23,000. There were 16 apartments in the building. This was a six story occupied multiple dwelling, straight out of the Bronx. It was known as "Dunn's tenement" and, more popularly, "Dunn's Flats." Shortly after the fire department arrived, heavy fire was showing from the windows and exposing both a similar building to the north as well as a frame dwelling to the south. Hoselines were operated from the roofs of surrounding buildings. It was estimated that 20 hoselines were in service with the pumpers having 2 or 3 lines off each and numerous streams from the "plugs from blocks around." After the main body of fire was knocked-down, firefighters advanced hoselines onto the porches of the involved building and operated directly into the various apartments. I'm sure most members - particularly the guys who have been around for a while - have heard stories of the "flats," and perhaps fought a fire or two there. Dunn's flats provided a good deal of work for PFD over a 60 year period. After numerous fires, the buildings fell to "urban renewal."



5/25/29 - 21:00 - Still - Assistance for Minersville. Yorkville, Humane, and American Hose sent by chief. This fire occured at the H. Bob shirt factory at the corner of Lewis St. & Delaware Ave. The fire burned several other buildings toward Front St. All 5 Minersville companies were in service. The 3 Pottsville companies sent 5 trucks, including 2 pumpers. One firefighter from the Mountaineer Hose Company was injured. He sustained a severe laceration of the eye. The fire was discovered by the night watchman at the Bob factory. The current location is the site of the large, vacant commercial building at the same corner.



90 Years Ago:



5/10/19 - 08:55 - Box 44 - 1316 Mahantongo St. Occupant: Wm. Quinlin. Cuase: Overheated stove. Loss: $3,050.

5/28/19 - 11:58 - Box 63 - W. Railroad St. Eastern Steel Co. Cause: Oil explosion. Loss: $2,000.



125 Years Ago:



Sat., 5/18/1884 - Fire at Mt. Carbon. Road side. Three houses were burned.



170 Years Ago:



Wed., 5/15/1839 - Fire broke out in one of the houses belonging to the Greenwood property, opposite Mr. Lyman's furnace on the canal.

[rfd301]

15 Years Ago:



6/2/1994 - 00:50 - Box 412 - 4, 6, 8, & 10 N. 3rd St.
Fire in the rear first floor of 8 N. 3rd St. extended into the rear alley and up the exterior of the building, driving into the facia of 6 N. 3rd St. This fire ran the walls in the third floor to the thingyloft of the exposure building(s). Crews encountered heavy fire in the thingylofts of 4 & 6 N. 3rd St. Firefighter Jeff Fehr (R.I.P., brother) of the Good Intent received second degree burns about the shoulder when a flashover occurred in the first floor front of 6 N. 3rd St. as he was advancing the initial attack line onto the porch of the fire building. Crews vented the roof of 6 N. 3rd as well that of 4 & 6 N. 3rd. Firefighters had their hands full chasing fire in the walls and thingylofts of these multiple dwellings. 10 N. 3rd suffered minor fire damage and extensive smoke damage. 2 N. 3rd suffered smoke damage.

8 N. 3rd St. was a 2.5 story wood frame OMD

4 & 6 N. 3rd St. were 3 story brick/wood (Type III) OMD’s

10 N. 3rd was a 2.5 story brick/wood (Type III) OMD



The Good Intent and American Hose returned on 6/2/94 at 06:06 for a rekindle.



A little aside…Virtually every day, a group of guys from both the Phoenix and Good Intent that worked in and about town met at the Good Intent for lunch. As the weather was warm, the overhead door was usually open. "Bobby," one of our downtown locals, would come by almost every day and ask the same question: "Any fires today?" We'd invariably answer, "No, no fires today." Well, that afternoon following the 3rd St. fire equipment was hanging about the firehouse and placed on the front apron to dry. There was a heavy odor of burned wood and wet plaster hanging in the air. As the Good Intent is at 7 N. 2nd St., the fire buildings on N. 3rd St. were almost directly behind the firehouse. Sure enough, "Bobby" came by with his usual question, "Any fires today?" Almost in unison, we answered, "Oh yeah, big fire, right around the corner!" "Bobby" looked at us all with disgust and said, "Yeah, bunch of wise guys..." As he walked away, we looked at each other in disblief.



The buildings that burned in 1994 continued to provide some work while "vacant":



08/25/97 - 15:35 - Box 412 - 6 N. 3rd St. Minor fire in the basement handled with 1 - 1.75" handline.



06/08/02 - 23:08 - Box 36 - 6 N. 3rd St. Heavy fire was showing from the rear first floor of the building on arrival. After the fire had been knocked-down, firefighters from the West End were venting and checking for extension on the second floor when they located and removed an unconscious male victim. The victim was the owner of the buildings who did recover.



6/14/1994 – Box 214* - 04:08 – 400 Sanderson St. (Salvation Army). An attached, wood-frame storage shed was fully-involved on arrival. The masonry exterior of the Salvation Army building prevented extension to the interior. A little confusion with this one on dispatch as it was given out as "Anderson St." - on the other side of town - rather than "Sanderson St." In fact, Box 214 for Anderson St. was struck rather than Box 522 for Sanderson St.. Everyone kinda realized that there is no Salvation Army building on Anderson St. The glow from the burning out-building settled any doubt.



30 Years Ago:



6/6/79 - Box 722 - 21:25 - 1942 W. Market St. Candles & Collectibles store and warehouse. Cause: Cigarette in trash can. Loss: $500.



6/20/79 - Box 553 - 14:06 - 717 N. 2nd St. Occupant: Guy Killian. Cause: Gasoline can upset and vapors ignited. Loss: $17,000.

The fire began in the front corner of the basement of the middle-of-the-row frame dwelling. Fire was showing from the ground-level basement on arrival and heavy smoke from the first floor. The homeowner had been cleaning in the basement with a garden hose prior to leaving for work. He said that he felt the hose catch on something, turned to see the gasoline spilling, and then flames erupted. The gasoline vapors reached the gas water heater pilot light. The fire melted part of the natural gas meter in the basement, allowing the gas to free flow for a time in the basement. Fire extended to the first floor via floor heat registers. The other 5 homes in the row received some smoke damage. Several firefighters suffered minor injuries with none requirement transport to the hospital.



6/20/79 - Box 413 - 17:32 - 726 W. Arch St. Garage fire. Occupant: Francis Evans carpet contractor. Cause: Arson. Loss: $25,000.

After having wrapped-up from the N. 2nd St. fire, the PFD was again faced with a working fire. Companies arrived to find the 6-bay garage at the corner of W. Arch & N. 8th Sts. well-involved. Fire was out several windows lining N. 8th St. 4 of the bays were rented by Mr. Evans for storage of floor covering materials, where the fire apparently originated. A car owned by Verna Prestileo of Pottsville was driven from one of the bays by Asst. Fire Chief Dusel (Good Will). There are some good slides of this fire in the PFD slide archives.



40 Years Ago:



6/16/69 - Box 413 - 08:54 - 9th & W. Market St. Adam Ochs gas station. Cause: Auto on fire in bay area. Loss: Unknown.



45 Years Ago:



6/26/64 - Box 78 - 04:26 - 22nd & West End Ave. Forest Gun Club. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $5,400.

This fire occured early on a Friday morning. The fire was discovered by Leslie Freiler. After seeing smoke from the building, he notified Police Sgt. John Barket at City Hall, who transmitted Box 78. Firefighters arrived with heavy smoke showing from the single-story frame building. Firefighters vented the roof to allow a cautious fire attack to be initiated. The fire appeared to start in the bar area where damage was the heaviest. The building was badly gutted by the fire. Fire Chief Hoke requested assistance in the origin and cause investigation from Sgt. Michael Wisnewski, State Police Fire Marshal from the Reading barracks.



50 Years Ago:



6/2/59 - Telephone call for help. Sent West End Emergency Car to accident at Red Church near Orwigsburg. 11 Killed. Propane truck crash and explosion on Rt. 122 (Now Rt. 61). Mr. Arthur Meyers, Captain of the Pottsville Auxiliary Police, was killed.



Kudos to Dean Meyers of the Good Intent Fire Co. who has done a tremendous amount of research into this incident as Mr. Arthur Meyers was a relative. Dean was kind enough to share his research packet with me and the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society. Dean has prompted both the Schuylkill Haven Call newspaper as well as the Republican-Herald to do a “looking back” feature on the 50th Anniversary of this very significant event. There will also be a memorial service at 19:00 hrs. on Tuesday, 6/2 at the Red Church to commemorate the event.



The following links are to the extensive Republican-Herald coverage in today’s edition…Be sure to check-out the video story.



www.republicanherald.com/articles/2009/05/31/news/local_news/pr_republican.20090531.a.pg1.pr00explosion1_s1.2534219_top2.txt



www.republicanherald.com/articles/2009/05/31/news/local_news/pr_republican.20090531.a.pg12.pr00explosion2_s1.2556987_top3.txt



Outstanding video story…



link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1911416306?bclid=1377894836&bctid=24801368001





This is the apparatus that the Pottsville Fire Department sent to the Red Church explosion. West End’s “Emergency Car” was unique in that its sedan body made it part pumper, part squad, and part ambulance. 1937 Ahrens-Fox 500 gpm/100 gallon water tank. It carried 150’ 2.5”, 250’ 1.5”, and 150’ ¾” booster. Perhaps most unique was its forest green paint job and red wheels. The body was fabricated for Ahrens-Fox by the Kelly Auto Body Company, also of Cincinnati, Ohio.





6/16/59 - Box 78 - 17:45 - 22nd & W. Market St. - Rapp Motor Co. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $100,000.

The Rapp Motor Co. was located where Hadesty's Hardware is today. The fire was discovered by owner Max Rappaport. He and two other employees were sitting in the office when they heard what was described as a small crash or explosion. The stepped into the showroom to investigate and found a heavy smoke condition. When the fire department arrived, the fire had gained posession of the entire front of the building. The showroom windows failed and heavy fire was showing. As firefighters began hitting the fire, smoke banked down and forced throngs of spectators in the Acme Markets parking lot across the street to retreat. There was a fear that the fire might extend to the Ginther Tavern next door (west) to the fire building, but there was no damage to the bar. The bar was, however, gutted on 1/22/1992 in an arson fire when it was "The Third Base" bar.

Four firefighters were injured in the Rapp Motors Fire: Fred Lewis, age 22, Good Intent - cut right hand; David Staller, age 24, West End - cut right foot; Dale Ward, age 26, Good Intent - severe sprain and cut of the right foot; George Hummel, age 38, Humane - injury to the right arm.

The fire was placed under control at 19:00. At 01:15, Yorkville returned to the scene for a rekindle. A booster line was use to extinguish the flare-up. It was believed that the fire started in a parts room located in a loft behind the showroom. Two new cars - one a Lincoln, the other a Mercury - were destroyed. Four other cars in the service area were also damaged. There are several photos of this fire in the Pottsville Firefighting book.



6/23/59 - Still - 01:30 - Call for help from Schuylkill Haven. Chief sent American Hose, Yorkville, and Humane.

A $50,000 fire destroyed a garage and warehouse at West Main St. and Parkway. Another garage was damaged. A two-story frame warehouse used to store television sets and related parts is believed to have been the origin of the fire. Also destroyed was a one story block and frame garage storing four cars and the tractor portion of a tractor trailer. The alarm was sounded from Box 35 at Main & Parkway (by the Atlantic Gas Station) when Robert Dohner, who has a shoe store across the street, saw the blaze. Asst. Chief Carl Feger had "command." The column could be seen for some distance. The fire was in the same area where the old Parkway Restaurant was located. This restaurant was destroyed by fire several years before. It was reported that the Pottsville companies were placed on stand-by in Schuylkill Haven.



6/30/59 - Box 53 - 14:10 - Centre & Minersville Sts. Eagle Hotel. Cause: Overloaded electric wires, cooking in room. Loss: $1700.



55 Years Ago:



6/3/54 - Still - 11:05 - 16th & W. Market St. Sunoco Gas Station. Cause: Gas station operator using gsa to fill carbeurator ignited and set fire to station. Loss: $1500.



6/20/54 - Still - 12:45 - City line at Mt. Carbon. Richards estate. Cause: Unknown, empty house. Loss: $1000. This is an interesting fire. This fire occured on a Sunday afternoon on S. Centre St. Mt. Carbon Fire Chief Arthur Moraco called City Hall for help when he learned of the fire. In addition to Mt. Carbon, 2 engines from the Good Will were sent as was one engine from the American Hose and the Citizens Fire Company of Palo Alto. Pottsville Asst. Chiefs Harry Rehman (Humane) and William Roth (Good Will) were on scene. The building was a 1.5 story wood frame dwelling which was reported to have been adjacent to the original Mt. Carbon Fire Company on Centre St. I'm guessing it would have been on the left (south) side of the firehouse along with the similar homes that are still there. However, based on the volume of fire described (the building collapsed, fire spread to the brush up toward Hillside Road, and a billboard near the house caught fire), no damage to any exposures was noted. There doesn't seem to be enough room for a dwelling to the right (north) of the firehouse, but that would fit with the billboard damage. 1500 feet of hose was used in fighting the fire. The fire also damaged PP & L, Bell Telephone, and Trans-Video wires, which left many customers without electricity, telephone service, or early cable TV service. The fire was placed under control at 16:30.



65 Years Ago:



6/2/44 - Box 25 - 16:59 - Rear 522 S. Centre St. Occupant: Frank Schoeneman Co. in Richards garage. Cause: Men storing beauty parlor supplies, dropped cigarette set storage boxes on fire. Loss: $460.



6/3/44 - Box 15 - 21:01 - 520 E. Norwegian St. Occupant: Mr. James Sullivan. Cause: Pan of fat caught on fire on stove. Loss: $150.



6/16/44 - Box 61 - 16:35 - 474 N. Centre St. Occupant Onyx factory. Cause: Overheated motor set fire to motor house in elevator shaft. Loss: $500.



6/18/44 - Box 17 - 09:50 - E. Race St. & Line Alley. Occupant: Mike Yaissle Garage. Cause: Unknown. Mike Yaissle left garage with his car 10 minutes before alarm. Loss: $500.



70 Years Ago:



6/28/39 - Box 19 - 09:45 - Line Alley. Yaissle estate. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $200.



80 Years Ago:



6/3/29 - Box 16 - 09:30 - 542 E. Market St. - Occupant: R. Bachman. Cause: Boy playing with matches. Loss: $128.



85 Years Ago:



6/2/24 - Box 19 - 04:15 - Line Alley. Occupant: Yellow Taxi. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $280.



90 Years Ago:



6/5/19 - Box 52 - 10:30 - 409 - 411 Harrison St. Occupants: Wm. Werner and Ed English. Cause: Oil stove. Loss: $300.



6/30/19 - Still - 09:10 - Assistance for Schuylkill Haven. American Hose & Good Intent sent by chief.



95 Years Ago:



6/6/14 - Box 63 - 19:15 - Peathingy & Heffner St. Swift & Co. stable. Cause: Broken electric wire. Loss: $400.



110 Years Ago:



6/21/1899 - Box 61 - 14:50 - Double stable of W.E. Lecher on Peathingy St. Loss: $3000.



120 Years Ago:



Thursday, June 13, 1889 - 00:010 - Fire at the Knickerbocker ice house, Mt. Carbon. Loss: $5,000.

[rfd301]

30 Years Ago

08/21/1979 – Box 741 – 13:32 – 1323 Oak Road. Occupant: Alfred Gitman. Cause: Painter burning paint off with a torch. Loss: $1000. A workman from Allen Long & Son Paint Co. of Lebanon was burning paint from the woodwork of the home when he ignited insulation and roof rafters. Once exposed, the fire was extinguished quickly.

35 Years Ago

08/16/1974 – Box 543 – 05:05 – 1300 Block W. Arch St. Homes owned by Pottsville Redevelopment Authority. Cause: Unknown. Loss: Unknown. The fire was termed “suspicious” and started in the basement of a vacant home. It involved a total of 3 vacant homes. There were no firefighter injuries. Units began clearing the scene at 07:15. Asst. Chief Jack Rose (Phoenix) had “command.” This was one of several fires to strike this block of W. Arch St. in the early 70’s. Growing up on N. 10th St., I was an interested spectator with a good view of most of those fires.

08/18/1974 – Box 52 – 01:05 – 400 Harrison St. Owner: Joe Sam. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $15,000. This home was vacant at the time of the fire. There was heavy damage to the 2nd & 3rd floors. This fire was also termed “suspicious.”

40 Years Ago

08/07/1969 – Box 83 – 20:55 – Plane Crash in Forest Hills. This caused a lot of excitement, but was of little consequence. Pilot Bennet Chotiner, age 28, of Hershey, became lost in the haze. He landed his Cherokee single-engine plane in a field just south of Calvary Cemetery. The pilot was not injured and the plane suffered minor damage.

50 Years Ago

08/26/1959 – STILL – 22:45 – Call for help from Brockton. Target Sportswear Co. Building struck by lightning. Chief sent Humane and American Hose. This fire began in the rear of the 1-story wood-frame building. The fire spread under the high peaked roof, where is presented a considerable challenge for firefighters. Most fire damage was confined to the rear and roof of the structure. 80 individuals were left temporarily unemployed. Along with the 2 Pottsville companies, Tamaqua sent 2 companies. Brockton, New Philadelphia, Middleport, and Palo Alto were also on scene. In October, 1958 the Target Sportswear plant in Dream City Park near Pt. Carbon was also destroyed by fire.

65 Years Ago

08/12/1944 – Box 22 – 19:49 – 525 Edwards Ave. Occupant: Earl Lourbier. Cause: Cigarette set fire to dresser and burned up partition of 3rd floor and roof. Loss: $4100. The family was alerted to the fire by the crackling of flames. The fire began in the 3rd floor bedroom. There was heavy fire in the roof area when firefighters arrived. This home still stands on Edwards Ave.

08/13/1944 – Box 32 – 20:45 – 240 Union St. Occupant: Mrs. Sadie Wenrick. Cause: Fire started in closet on 3rd floor due to spontaneous combustion, burned along ceiling and partition walls. Loss: $543. Another 3rd floor that was well-off when companies arrived. The fire was under control by 22:00. This was a 3-story wood-frame dwelling. This home – along with most of the north side of Union St. – is no longer there.

75 Years Ago

08/30/1934 – Box 18 – 03:55 – 19 N. Centre St. Leader Furniture Co. Cause: Unknown. Men working in building until 02:00. Loss: $12,200. While this fire was primarily contained to the basement in the rear of the building off N. 2nd St., it did extend up the partitions of the enclosed interior stairs to the 2nd floor. A still alarm consisting of Good Intent, American Hose, and Humane was first dispatched followed shortly thereafter by the Box. Firefighters used bars and hack saws to gain entry through the steel sidewalk access doors to the basement. There was one firefighter injury: Peter Elliot of the Good Will fell on glass and lacerated his ankle. 1st Asst. Chief C. Earl Manhart of the West End had “Command” in Chief Smith’s absence. 2nd Asst. Chief George Wollyung of the Yorkville was also on scene. This building still stands and is occupied by Juliette Bridal and has a “BRIGHTER” sign above the rear doors on 2nd St. from the days when it was still a furniture store.

80 Years Ago

08/07/1929 – Box 64 – 17:55 – 804 Water St. Occupant: G. Tassone. Cause: Sparks from chimney falling on shingle roof. Loss: $200.

08/12/1929 – STILL – 19:00 – S. 2nd St. Sherman Coal Co. Fire inside of slope. Loss: None.

95 Years Ago

08/24/1914 – Box 25 – 14:35 – Centre & Morris Sts. Stable owned by J.J. McKinstry. Cause: Unkown. Loss: $275.

115 Years Ago

08/22/1894 – Box 41 – 22:50 – Fire at M. Bierstein’s on Wood St. Damage: Appx. $1000.

Who can get to Wood St???

[rfd301]

Pottsville Fire Department

Looking Back – September



5 Years Ago

9/22/2004 – STILL – 17:29 – 1113 Indian Drive, Wayne Twp. American Hose & Good Intent for RIT for a fire on the first floor of a private dwelling. Fire knocked on arrival by Wayne Township and Schuylkill Haven crews.

10 Years Ago

9/13/1999 – STILL – 32 Water St., New Philadelphia. Humane, Phoenix, Good Intent, American Hose for a fire involving four 3-story frame multiple dwellings. Fire began in basement of 32 Water St. Fire quickly spread to 26-28 Water St. and 24 Water St. Heavy fire conditions on arrival. Phoenix aerial ladder singed when fire vented from third floor as crews were leaving the roof.

15 Years Ago

9/6/1994 – Box 541 – 10:37 – 423 Fairview St. (Fatal). Fire originating in first floor middle room of a 2 story frame middle-of-the row quickly spread throughout the first floor. Pottsville Police Officer Joseph O’Donnell was in the block speaking with a neighbor when they heard the mother of the children screaming from the second floor of the home. He and the neighbor caught one 5 year old child dropped by the mother from a second floor window as heavy smoke poured from the home. The mother tried to go back into the home, but was blocked by the heat and smoke and then jumped herself. The mother was hospitalized with a head injury and burns. Asst. Chief Jack Messner arrived on scene with Officer O’Donnell and the father reporting one child (age 2) still in the home with heavy smoke from the home. A 1.75” handline was advanced by E71 firefighters through the front door with E11 personnel initiating primary search of the 2nd floor via ground ladder to side A. Fire was extending via the open interior stairwell to the second floor. Pushing the primary search through the bedrooms, a crib was located in the back bedroom. A search of the crib proved negative. “Venting for life,” the back bedroom window was taken which improved conditions briefly. A bunkbed was located and the initial sweep above and below was negative. Believing that the child had to be in that room, the bunk bed was swept again. Climbing onto the bottom bunk, firefighters located the child somewhat wedged between the mattress and the wall. The child was removed and CPR begun by EMS and fire personnel. The child was pronounced DOA. Fire damage was held to 423 with smoke damage to adjoining properties.

E71 awaits their supply line to be filled on Fairview St., 9/6/94.
20 Years Ago

9/24/1989 – Box 14 – 11:46 – 115 W. Market St. Schuylkill Dental Associates. Dr. Stephen Muench. Fire heavily damaged first floor dentist’s office with smoke throughout the building. Roof opened in rear portion above first floor office area. Cause: Electrical dentistry equipment malfunctioned. Loss: $100,000.

An interesting note – while checking for extension and venting the smoke from the upper floors, crews exposed the thingyloft to find the roof beams charred. As this location was remote from the fire, it was a little puzzling until it was discovered that this building was heavily damaged in what became known as the “Melody Bar Fire” in 1953 – 11/29/1953 – Box 18 – 04:58 – 113-115 W. Market St. Fire started in the basement occupied by the Melody Bar and caused $115,516 in damage. 12 businesses were affected as were 7 occupants of the apartments.

35 Years Ago

9/9/1974 – Box 54 – 20:40 – 722-724 W. Race St. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $34,000. 722-H. Leymeister, $17,000; 724-M. Reed, $17,000.

9/12/1974 – Box 57 – 13:10 – 500 Block N. 2nd St. Building owned by Pottsville Redevelopment Authority. Cause: Unknown. Loss: Unknown. Demolition crews were working at the vacant “Dunn’s Flats,” evidently touching-off the fire. It was possible due to the use of a cutting torch. Fire was confined to the shaft area and roof.

40 Years Ago

9/23/1969 – Box 15 – 07:37 – 411 E. Norwegian St. Occupant: Robert Reilly. Cause: 4 year old boy set mattress on fire. Loss: $6,175. Fire heavily damaged the 2nd floor.

9/30/1969 – STILL – 04:50 – New Street at Mt. Laffee. Occupant: Robert Speck. Chief sent Good Intent, Yorkville, and West End. Seltzer Fire Company also responded. Asst. Chiefs Curtier (30) and Bound (50) responded with the apparatus. Damage was confined to the partition walls on the 1st and 2nd floor.

45 Years Ago

9/18/1964 – STILL – 14:18 – Chestnut St., Mill Creek. Occupant: Mrs. N. Harris. Chief sent Good Will, American Hose, and Good Intent.

50 Years Ago

9/8/1959 – STILL – 11:35 – 1819 Mahantongo St. Occupant: Mrs. P.J. McCarron. Cause: Defective wiring. Loss: $1,067.

9/12/1959 – STILL – 20:55 – Acme Market, 6th & W. Market St. A motor in the basement had burned-out, creating a smoke condition in the building. Power to the unit was disconnected and the building vented. Not a very consequential event. To be continued in October…

9/18/1959 – Box 55 – 12:50 – 1407 Mt. Hope Ave. Occupant: Franklin Maurer. Cause: Spark ignited paint spray in cabinet shop. Loss: $1,050.

9/19/1959 – Pottsville hosted the 5th annual Schuylkill County Volunteer Firemen’s Association parade. The parade featured 18 bands, 80 pieces of apparatus, and over 1000 firemen in the line of march. 25 trophies were awarded.




55 Years Ago

9/23/1954 – Box 41 – 19:05 – 1230 Russell St. Occupant: H. Weiner Junkyard. Cause: Unknown. Building loaded with baled rags, could be spontaneous combustion. Loss: $5,800. The building was fully involved on arrival. This was one of many fires at the “Junky” over the years.

60 Years Ago

9/16/1949 – Box 71 – 16:37 – 1767 W. Norwegian St. Occupant: Mrs. Verna Fitzpatrick. Cause: Unknown. Fire started in stockroom on 2nd floor and burned up to roof. Loss: $600.

70 Years Ago

9/23/1939 – STILL – 10:30 – 5th & Mahantongo St. Yuengling’s ice cream plant. Cause: fumes from ammonia ignited when a line was cut and set tar and cork on fire. Loss: $3,000. An early “Haz-Mat” call. “Gas masks” (filter-type masks) were used were used to enter the plant. Several firefighters – unsurprisingly – were overcome. Fortunately, all were revived after being removed to fresh air. The plant is still there, but quite dilapidated. Anyone entering would immediately notice the thick cork insulation in this sizeable building. It brings to mind the tragic Worcester Cold Storage fire of 1999.

80 Years Ago

9/14/1929 – Box 41 – 20:30 – 1272 W. Arch St. Occupant: J. Weiner. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $2800. *see 9/23/1954 also…

90 Years Ago

9/15/1919 – STILL – 22nd & W. Market St. Occupant: Lehigh Valley. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $300.

130 Years Ago

Saturday, 9/13/1879 – Fire in a house occupied by Isaiah Boltz on High (Race) St. near Eleventh.

160 Years Ago

Sunday, 9/16/1849 – Fire at Dr. Carpenter’s stable in the rear of his residence.

Wednesday, 9/19/1849 – Fire in the building in the rear of Geise’s Hotel.

175 Years Ago

This is verbatim…not my words!!

Sunday, 9/26/1834 – “Between 3 and 4 o’clock in the morning, a fire broke out in several frame buildings standing in that part of the borough on the west which is the abode of a number of the colored population; the frame buildings, being three in number, were literally burnt to the ground; the property is owned by Mr. James Haggarty.”

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Pottsville Fire Department

Looking Back – October, 2009

10 Years Ago

10/16/1999 - Box 531 - 16:13 - 812 N. 3rd St. 2nd Floor rear room & contents. This was part of the stretch of homes on N. 3rd St. involved in the fire this past summer and way back in 1941.

10/17/1999 - Box 74 - 03:17 - 1821 Elk Ave. Fire originating in decorative hay bales on the front porch caused heavy damage to the front of the duplex. No significant extension to the interior.

25 Years Ago

10/23/1984 – STILL – 13:19 – Assistance to Norwegian Twp. , Exxon Chemical Company. Chief sent Yorkville, West End, and Humane.

30 Years Ago

10/26/1979 – Box 512 – 10:55 – 60 York Farm. Occupant: Edward Davis. Cause: Grease on stove ignited. Loss: $1,000.

35 Years Ago

10/15/1974 – Box 36 – 05:00 – 314 Mahantongo St. The Pottsville Club. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $325,000. Returned 14:45 - still alarm for rekindle.

First account of the origin of the fire from the Club Manager, Charles Robertson:

Between 3:30 – 4:00 a.m., Robertson arrived at the Club after breakfast at the Garfield Diner. He was checking on the day’s schedule when two armed men entered the club and forced him to open the safe. After doing so, he was struck on the back of the head with a gun. Before blacking-out briefly, he said he had seen one of the men attempting to set papers on fire behind the bar using a bottle of whiskey as an accelerant. When Robertson awoke, he said that he saw smoke behind the bar and the men were gone. Robertson left the Club in his car to turn in the alarm. He was heading north on Centre St. where he encountered Patrolman Ron Gontarchick of the Pottsville PD on foot patrol. He informed him of the fire and Gontarchick then transmitted the alarm. Robertson was hospitalized due to the head injury.

On arrival, firefighters were confronted with a large body of fire in the 1st floor bar area with heavy smoke from the building. The three story building was or ordinary construction. Fire spread through the interior to the upper floors and thingyloft. Firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent apartments as well as the Ruch Funeral Home at 310 Mahantongo St. Rescue Hook & Ladder of Minersville responded with their 1963 Ford/Pitman 65’ Snorkel. The Snorkel was set-up in the rear of the building (where St. Patrick’s Church parking lot is today generally behind the American Hose engine room). Phoenix’s 1959 American LaFrance tractor-drawn 100’ aerial ladder truck was out-of-service due to mechanical issues. West End’s 1960 Seagrave 65’ quint was set-up and had the pipe flowing on Mahantongo St. Firefighter Andrew DeStefano of the Greenwood Hill was treated at the Pottsville Hospital for an eye injury.

While the cause of the fire was listed as “undetermined,” it was reported that investigators discovered multiple points of origin. I was in first grade at the Race St. School at the time of the fire. I remember watching the overhauling at the Pottsville Club from the school windows and schoolyard.



Rescue H & L of Minersville operating with their Snorkel in the rear of the Pottsville Club.



West End, Good Will, and Good Intent operate on the Mahantongo St. side of the Pottsville Club.

40 Years Ago

10/5/1969 – Box 15 – 03:05 – Rear 341 E. Norwegian St. Occupant: Wetzel Bros. and Dominic Mercuri. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $2,600.

Firefighters arrived on scene hearing cries for help from William Wetzel, age 28. Jack Flannery of the Good Intent and Tom Seitzinger of the Greenwood Hill went to his rescue. Flannery entered the first floor apartment via a back door off the porch. Crawling into the apartment heavily charged with smoke, he found Wetzel lying on the floor. Assisted by Seitzinger, he dragged the victim out through the back door. Wetzel was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation. Attempting to gain entry from another door, Pottsville Police Officer John Pflueger kicked in a glass pane and was also treated at the Good Sam Hospital for an injury to the foot. The apartment was heavily damaged.

10/5/1969 – STILL – 04:50 – Call for help from Pt. Carbon. American Legion building. Chief sent Greenwood Hill, American Hose, West End, Good Intent, Yorkville, and Good Will.

Shortly after clearing the scene on East Norwegian St., the Port Carbon Fire Department requested assistance at a fire at the Port Carbon American Legion Post. Asst. Chief “Doc” Bound (West End) responded to Pt. Carbon with the Pottsville companies. Dennis McCabe (Good Intent) was operating on the third floor of the building when what was believed to have been a smoke explosion literally hurled him through a window. Tom Seitzinger (Greenwood Hill) and Bill Miller (Good Will) were operating on West End’s aerial ladder when McCabe came through the window. They grabbed McCabe, preventing a fall and more serious injuries. The SCBA that McCabe was wearing struck Miller on the head. Both McCabe and Miller were transported to the Good Samaritan Hospital. McCabe was admitted with abrasions. Miller was treated and released.

A very dramatic morning all-in-all for the PFD…

45 Years Ago

10/11/1964 – Box 216 – 19:15 – 374 S. Centre St., Scranton Electric Co. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $1,200.

10/29/1964 – Box 44 – 12:42 – 1107A W. Norwegian St. Occupant: Paul Donahue. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $1,229.

50 Years Ago

10/27/1959 – STILL – 22:00 – Box 42 – 22:05 – 6th & W. Market St. Acme Market. Cause: Unknown. Fire had terrific headway on arrival. Fire department did an excellent job in containing the fire, saving the English Lutheran Church and parish house. Loss: $150,000. Occupants and losses: Acme Store: $127,000; Art (Scoop) Felsburg (apartment): $23,000.

Art “Scoop” Felsburg, a tenant in one of two apartments on the top floor of the 2-story building called the Good Intent Fire Company directly to report the fire. Responding on the still alarm, Fire Chief Andy Hoke struck the box after encountering an advanced fire in the building. Firefighters were hampered by heavy smoke as they advanced into the store. In addition, the pressed metal ceiling of the store held significant fire between the store and the apartments above, resulting in a very labor intensive operation. The smoke condition in the surrounding area was significant, with smoke banking down Market St. as far as Second.

While no cause was officially determined, it was believed that the fire originated in a meat case in the rear of the building, possibly as a result of a defect in the refrigeration unit. The store employed ten individuals and was managed by Walter Kutney, Sheppton.

The Good Will Fire Company of Pt. Carbon sent an engine to stand-by in the City. The Sinclair Gas Company sent a truck to refuel apparatus on scene. While the firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to the English Lutheran Church next door, there was damage as a result of broken windows and fallen plaster. The Acme Building was owned by the English Lutheran Church and stood where the parking lot is for the Schlitzer-Allen-Pugh funeral home is currently. The funeral home itself was the English Lutheran Church. This was one of the early “big ones” of Andy Hoke’s career as Fire Chief.

11 firefighters were injured.

Admitted to the Pottsville Hospital: Ron Kriner (Good Will) – smoke inhalation; Joseph Selinko (Good Will) – smoke inhalation.

Treated at the Pottsville Hospital: Stan Kowalchick – laceration of ring finger; Richard Taylor – laceration of left hand; Michael Phillips – facial laceration and possible broken nose after falling over a hoseline.

Admitted to the Warne Hospital (2nd & Mahantongo St.): William Ebert (Good Will) – smoke inhalation; Lincoln (Abe) Fernsler (Humane) – smoke inhalation; John Hulet (Good Will, Pt. Carbon) – smoke inhalation (see photo below).

Treated at the Warne Hospital: John Pflueger – laceration of scalp; Elmer Geiger – rope burn of left hand; Joseph Neary – laceration of palm of left hand.

On a final note, Charles Barrone of the Good Intent had his shoes stolen from the fire engine. He had taken them off to don his boots. As he was preparing to leave the scene, he discovered his shoes missing.



Firefighters remove Firefighter John Hulet over a ground ladder at the Acme Markets fire at 6th & W. Market

55 Years Ago

10/23/1954 – Box 16 – 00:37 – 527-527 ½ -529-531 E. Market St. Cause: Unknown. Fire started in basement of 529 E. Market St. and burned through floor of porch on outside of building, through partition walls to top of building. Loss: $9,373. Occupants and losses: 527 (Leroy Dalton): $263; 527 ½ (Victor Adamco): $3950; 529-531 (Paraska Kachmar): $5160.

65 Years Ago

10/28/1944- Box 41 – 14:18 – 15:55 – 224 N. 12th St. Occupant: John Eichenberg. Cause: Unknown. Fire in back bedroom on 2nd floor. Loss: $500.

70 Years Ago

10/20/1939 - Box 36 – 11:54 – Centre & Mahantongo St. Necho Allen Hotel. Cause: Fat ignited in pan on stove, set grease in air duct on fire. Loss: $1,200.



75 Years Ago

10/19/1934 – Box 613 – 10:55 – 5 & 6 Eagan St. Occupant: Mrs. B. Thompson. Cause: Spark from chimney set wood shingle roof on fire. Loss: $150.

80 Years Ago

10/4/1929 – Box 35 – 19:25 – 909 Mahantongo St. Occupant: R. Williams. Cause: gas stove. Loss: $4700.

On Sunday, 10/6/1929, the Good Intent received a new Ahrens-Fox NS4 1000 gpm piston pumper. The rig cost $13,000.



95 Years Ago

10/1/1914 – Box 26 – 14:20 – Centre & Howard St. Swalm’s Garage. Cause: Electric charging system. Loss: $2892.08.

10/27/1914 – Box 26 – 04:20 – 3rd & Mahantongo St. Office and keg house owned by Yuengling. Cause: Pitch pot boiled over. Loss: $5076.

165 Years Ago

Sat., 10/10/1844 – A new stable belonging to Mr. McEwing, at the upper end of the borough, burnt to the ground. Loss: $500. No insurance.

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I'm working most of this weekend, so I'm shipping this a few days earlier than usual...

Pottsville Fire Department

Looking Back – November



5 Years Ago

11/16/2004 – 01:35 – Box 412 – 307 W. Market St. An arson fire originating in the 2nd floor of the vacant 3 story multiple dwelling of ordinary construction caused heavy damage to the 2nd floor. The fire was discovered by Pottsville Police on routine patrol. Asst. Chief Kurt Shelhammer (Yorkville) had Command. St. Clair Tower 701 was requested and operated on Side A. West End had placed their 1992 E-One 75’ quint out-of-service at 18:30 hrs. the evening prior (11/15), after having sold the rig to the Rescue Hook & Ladder of Minersville.

25 Years Ago

11/8/1984 – Box 32 – 03:46 – 323 Schuylkill Ave. Occupant: J. Shauers. Cause: Arson fire on front porch. Loss: $500.

11/10/1984 – Box 17 – 08:34 – 321 E. Arch St. Occupant: J. Zukosky. Cause: Child playing with matches. Loss: $20,000. Greenwood Hill called back for rekindle at 10:30.

Arriving on scene, firefighters were confronted with a heavy smoke condition banked to the street from the 2 story end-of-the-row dwelling. The front window failed and heavy fire vented from the first floor, rolling under the porches. This alleviated the smoke condition somewhat. The fire was quickly knocked and contained to the building of origin. Asst. Chief Bill Horning (Phoenix) had Command. The home, which was directly behind the Pizza Hut on Rt. 61, was razed and is now a vacant lot.

An funny story from the perspective of the IC … Asst. Chief Billy Horning was taking his then-teenage daughter to work her part-time job that Saturday morning, prior to the alarm. As he began to descend East Arch St. from above George St., the smoke condition came clearly into view and it was obvious that he had a working fire on his hands. He turned to his daughter and calmly said, “Aww, Kelly, you’re gonna have to walk.”




30 Years Ago

11/22/1979 – STILL – 01:30 – Assistance to Mar Lin. Chief Sent Yorkville. Fire in vacant double home on Beechwood Ave. I believe that this is where the Mar Lin Post Office is currently.

11/25/1979 – STILL – 05:00 – Assistance to Minersville. Fire destroyed 3 buildings and damaged two others in the 200 block of Sunbury St. Chief sent West End, American Hose, and Good Will. Hopefully, the November edition of the Schuylkill County Firefighters Association Quarterly Newsletter will feature an article on the 30th Anniversary of this fire.




35 Years Ago

11/1/1974 – Box 514 – 11:25 – 1350 Seneca St. Occupant: Vince Hock. Cause: Unknown. Loss: $19,500. Returned 16:00 and 20:30 for rekindles. This private dwelling was rocking when the fire department arrived with heavy exterior fire to the rear.

40 Years Ago

11/7/1969 – Box 522 – 14:26 – 403 Laurel Blvd. Occupant: Charles Francis. Cause: Gas explosion. Loss: $600.

11/22/1969 – Box 67 – 14:10 – Mamies Ave. Occupant: Milton Williams. Cause: Melting paraffin wax caught fire. Loss: Unknown.

50 Years Ago

11/18/1959 – STILL – 20:45 – Call for help at Tumbling Run. Frame barn owned by William Guers. Chief sent Good Intent, Good Will, and Humane. 2000 chickens died in this fire. Loss was estimated at $12,000. Cumbola, Middleport, New England/Walker Twp., New Philadelphia, and Tuscarora fire companies were also on scene. PP& L power lines were damaged as flames reached close to 150’ in the air at the height of the fire.

11/13/1959 – Phoenix Fire Engine Company No. 2 accepted delivery of their new 1959 American LaFrance 900 series 100’ tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck. The rig cost $45,000. It was placed in service approximately a week later and officially housed on December 6, 1959. Company President at the time was John Pflueger. According to fire apparatus historian Walt McCall, this was the first tractor-drawn aerial delivered by American LaFrance on the 900 Series chassis. New York City purchased 13 virtually identical rigs in 1960 and 7 more in 1962, one of which was assigned to the famed Ladder 31 in the South Bronx. To show just how new this style of apparatus was, the Washington Fire Company of Ashland received their 1959 American LaFrance 85’ service aerial on 11/7/1959. This was of the older style 700/800 Series, while the Phoenix rig was of the much more modern 900 Series. Pottsville City Council on Tuesday, 11/10/1959 voted to fund the purchase of a life net for Phoenix’s new rig. The life net was purchased from Reading Fire Equipment at a cost of $440. This purchase was in lieu of a fire hose allotment, which the other companies received from the City. The aerial served for almost 45 years. It was refurbished and repowered in 1978 and refurbished again in 1992. It was replaced by the current 2004 Pierce/1991 LTI 110' tractor-drawn aerial.

60 Years Ago

11/13/1949 – Box 24 – 20:25 – Coal & Washington Sts. Penna. Railroad Company. Cause: “Bums slept in building, set building on fire.” Loss: $500.

65 Years Ago

11/1/1944 – Box 56 – 18:55 – 525 Fairview St. Occupant: Vincent Flemming. Cause: Unknown. Fire burned-out bedroom on 2nd floor. Loss: $500.

11/2/1944 – Box 36 – 15:47 – 20 S. 2nd St. John Puddu Shoe Store. Cause: Boy mixing shoe cement caused fire. Loss: $7,546.

80 Years Ago

11/7/1929 – Box 614 – 12:20 – 738 & 740 Water St. Occupants: James Bierman and Joseph Smith. Cause: Children playing with matches. Loss: $2,000. Fire Chief Sevenson had Command of this fire. Children playing with matches ignited dried leaves in an alley between the homes. This then ignited the weatherboards of the homes and spread quickly upward. Firefighters arrived with heavy exterior fire involving both homes. While damage was significant, the fire was knocked-down quickly with most of the damage confined to the exterior. First working fire for Good Intent’s 1929 Aherns-Fox 1000 gpm piston pumper.

11/30/1929 – Box 19 – 21:00 – 104 S. George St. Occupant: C. Langon. Cause: Overheated stove. Loss: $1850.

95 Years Ago

11/19/1914 – Telephone Alarm - 1423 Mahantongo St. 2.5 story frame dwelling owned by Nathan Beddel. Cause: “Boy lights match to find way and threw it away.”

120 Years Ago

11/23/1889 – 12:10 – Fire at the Northwester n Hotel. Cause: Explosion of coal oil lamp. Loss: About $500.

125 Years Ago

11/12/1884 – 02:00 – Fire at Heber DeLong’s Coffee Roastery on Division Alley. Loss: About $500.

135 Years Ago

11/30/1874 – A slight fire at Henry Somers’ Barber Shop, corner of Centre & High (Race) Sts. Cause: Overheated stove.

145 Years Ago

11/21/1864 – 23:30 – The machine shop and foundry of Mr. B. F. Pomeroy & Son, corner of Coal & Norwegian Sts. The main building was destroyed with its contents. Loss: About $15,000.

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Pottsville Fire Department

Looking Back

September

5 Years Ago
9/3/2006 – Box 341 – 23:32 - 610 Schuylkill Ave; Companies arrived with smoke showing from the 2.5 story EOR. Fire in the basement coal bin quickly knocked.

10 Years Ago
9/11/2001 – Never Forget

20 Years Ago
9/5/1991 – Box 322 – 15:57 – Yuengling Brewery, 5th & Mahantongo Sts; Fire erupted in Class A storage just outside the gift shop. The fire was quickly contained and damage was minimal. Not a serious fire, but certainly an iconic building!

30 Years Ago
09/24/1981 – STILL – 11:44 – Chief sent Yorkville and Good Intent to the area of Tumbling Run Road for a building collapse in which a man was trapped. James Purcell of Pottsville was operating a forklift on the upper floor of the Beer City Warehouse off Brokhoff’s Road when the floor collapsed, pancaking through the second floor and ending on the ground floor. He was buried among thousands of beer and soda containers, crates, and sections of reinforced concrete from the floors. It took 15 minutes just to locate him in the rubble. Purcell was lying next to the forklift, which narrowly missed crushing him. He was conscious and was extricated in approximately half an hour. He was admitted to the Good Samaritan Hospital in “guarded” condition with a broken leg. Rescuers worked with additional sections of flooring hanging above them. If I’m not mistaken, this was the first actual rescue call for Yorkville’s “new” Rescue 63 (1981 International/Swab).

35 Years Ago
09/06/1976 – Box 243 – 05:49 – 111-113 S. George St. Vacant buildings owned by the City of Pottsville; Cause: Unknown; Loss: Unknown. Both homes had been previously damaged by fire on 2/6/1976 and were boarded-up. Companies arrived to find heavy fire from the rear of the homes. Fire spread to the second floors. Firefighters prevented the fire from extending to 392 Greenwood Ave., which was separated from the fire buildings by a 4’ alley. The cause was incendiary, as determined by PSP Fire Marshal Postupak and Chief March. During the fire, American Hose E71 was diverted to E. Arch and Jackson Sts. for a smoke scare. Asst. Chief Jack Rose (Phoenix) had command.

09/09/1976 – Box 81 – 20:53 – 86 Sherwood Road, Forest Hills; Occupant: Dr. Chadaga; Cause: Unknown; Loss: $5,000.

09/10/1976 – Box 47 – 14:00 – 1237 W. Market St; Occupant: Robert Makely; Cause: Pot of grease on the stove; Loss: $500.

09/21/1976 – Box 245 – 02:25 – Pulaski Drive & Baber St; 2-story, 6-bay garage owned by H. Leon Lawrence; Cause: Unknown; Loss: $10,000. Fire originated in a 1-story shed attached to the main building. The shed contained a large amount of wood. Fire spread to the large, frame garage. Companies arrived with heavy fire conditions within the garage and the shed fully involved. The garage contained wood, paneling, and other construction materials. This resulted in a very heavy and prolonged smoke condition. The building’s owner, Mr. Lawrence of 320 Jefferson St., was a retired general contractor. Companies were on scene for 4 ½ hours. I’m pretty sure this was the fire during which Good Intent’s driver/operator Bill Stock famously took the company’s 1975 Hahn 1000 gpm pumper across the fairly long expanse of the old Washington St. bridge over Route 61 to access the fire…a 15 ton fire engine crossing a bridge with a 5-ton weight limit! They made it…

09/22/1976 – Box 17 – 00:31 – 438 E. Market St; Cause: Arson, fire in hallway; Loss: Unknown. The Box at George & E. Arch Sts. was pulled at 00:30. Chief March arrived with responding companies, but could locate no fire in the area. Companies returned to quarters and Chief March returned to City Hall. Shortly before 01:00, he received a call at City Hall from a resident at 438 E. Market St. who indicated that a small fire was extinguished in the hallway of that occupied multiple dwelling. Meanwhile, City Police received a call from another resident, Danny Clark, who said that wallpaper outside his apartment had been smoldering, but had self-extinguished. Residents and neighbors said that they had seen an individual running from the building earlier. It is unknown if this same individual perhaps set the fires and actually pulled the street box.

09/24/1976 – Box 25 – 11:34 – Moose Lodge at 394 S. Centre St; Cause: Spark from incinerator chimney; Loss: $5,000. Fire erupted in the stair tower of the Moose Lodge. Portions of the tower collapsed during the fire. Firefighters arrived with heavy smoke from the tower portion of the building. Eventually, fire was showing from the eaves. The top portion of the tower was removed following the fire. It was rebuilt during the Hope Tower renovation.

40 Years Ago
09/26/1971 – Box 52 – 13:42 – 515 N. 3rd St; Occupant: Allen Lebo; Cause: Acetylene torch; Loss: $1,267. The fire was confined to the second floor. Allen and his wife, Helen, were treated at Good Samaritan Hospital for burns to their hands and feet. Asst. Chief Donald “Doc” Bound (West End) had command.

45 Years Ago
09/03/1966 – Box 615 – 00:25 – Aetna Steel; Cause: Paint Explosion; Loss: $1,500.

09/24/1966 – Box 53 – 21:23 – 500 Blk. Sanderson St; Three frame buildings owned by the Redevelopment Authority; Cause: Unknown; Loss: Unknown. The homes at 509-511-513 Sanderson St. were vacant at the time of the fire and were scheduled for demolition as part of the Minersville St. Redevelopment Project. The homes were heavily involved as companies arrived. Yorkville and Humane returned at 02:50 on 9/25 as fire rekindled in 509 Sanderson. Firefighters literally tore the building down to fully extinguish the fire. Asst. Chiefs Al Brennan (Phoenix) and Tom Seitzinger (Greenwood Hill) directed operations that Saturday evening and Sunday morning.

50 Years Ago
09/18/1961 – STILL – 22:20 – Rear 1316 Mahantongo St; Benjamin F. James garage; Cause: Boys set gasoline on fire; Loss: $100. Fire damaged the door and a portion of the interior of the garage. Three boys were seen running away from the area two minutes before the fire was discovered. Chief Hoke, West End, and Yorkville were on the still.

They got away with it the first time, so…

09/20/1961 – STILL – 21:16 – Rear 1316 Mahantongo St; Benjamin F. James garage and auto; Cause: Boys set gasoline on fire; Loss: $175. Same story…

55 Years Ago
09/02/1956 – Box 17 – 04:09 – 417-419 E. Market St; Cause: Unknown, fire started on porch on 2nd floor and burnt through partition; Loss: $7,683; Occupants and losses: 417 – E.J. Rehnert - $3,053; 419 – M. A. Farres - $4,630. The alarm was phoned-in by Ruth McCall of 421 E. Market St. when she discovered fire on the rear porch of 419. Companies arrived with heavy fire involving the rear of 419 E. Market. Fire extended to the rear roof and partitions of 417 E. Arch. The fire was placed under control in 1 hour. These two homes still stand…and 419 still has a 2nd floor rear porch.

09/10/1956 – Box 41 – 21:03 – 308 N. 12th St; Occupant: J. Becker; Cause: Fire started in front bedroom on 2nd floor; Loss: $1,357. The fire was confined to the 2nd floor front bedroom with the remainder of the home suffering smoke and water damage. Mrs. James Becker was hospitalized when she suffered a fall during the fire. The fire was placed under control in 45 minutes. This home was another “repeat customer:” 2/5/1985 – Box 41 – 22:56 – 308 N. 12th St. Occupant: L. Shappe. Cause: Child playing with matches. Loss: $10,000. Fire and smoke were showing from the third floor bedroom of this 3-story frame middle-of-the-row. Fire was quickly knocked-down, before it could spread into the thingyloft.

09/19/1956 – Box 32 – 12:29 – 405 Howard Ave (again!); Occupant: Walter Jones; Cause: Unknown, fire started in a small room on the 2nd floor; Loss: $3,748.

09/20/1956 – STILL – 21:28 – 209 Howard Ave; Warne Hospital annex; Cause: Floor joist on fire, too close to chimney; Loss: $110.

60 Years Ago
09/12/1951 – STILL – 13:30 – Greenwood Hill responded to call for help in Mechanicsville.

09/14/1951 – STILL – 03:38 – Centre & Mahantongo, Pomeroy’s Store; Cause: Freezer unit on fire, set fire to side of wall in kitchen on 2nd floor; Loss: Fire damage and water loss from sprinkler system - $5,012.

09/14/1951 – Box 18 – 15:50 – Railroad & E. Market Sts, Hippodrome Theater; Cause: Unknown, explosion and fire in basement of theater; Loss: $13,165.

09/15/1951 – Box 53 – 08:48 – 704 Sanderson St; Occupant: John Rich; Cause: Cigarette set fire to sofa on 2nd floor; Loss: $175.

70 Years Ago
09/11/1941 – Box 511 – 13:19 – Rear of 409 N. 9th St; Empty house owned by Mrs. Thomas Jones; Cause: Children set fire to empty building; Loss: $200.

80 Years Ago
09/26/1931 – STILL – 05:00 – Cape Horn (N. Manheim Twp near Penske); Empty house; Cause: Bums had fire in house; Loss: $2,000; Good Intent and Yorkville sent by Chief.

85 Years Ago
09/10/1926 – Box 613 – 11:50 – Rear Eagan St; Occupant: R.M. Griffith; Cause: Unknown; Loss: $2,000.

90 Years Ago
09/20/1926 – STILL – 12:00 – 4th & Howard Ave, Italian Church (St. Joseph’s); Cause: Candle falling on altar’ Loss: $200.

95 Years Ago
09/02/1916 – Box 33 – 10:15 – 1403 W. Market St; Occupant: Miss A. Nabholtz; Cause: Overheated stove; Loss: $40.

100 Years Ago
09/21/1911 – Telephone Alarm – 13:30 – 431 Peathingy St; 2-story frame dwelling owned by Mrs. Fox and occupied by a foreigner; Cause: Defective flue; Loss: $10.

125 Years Ago
09/02/1886 – 14:30 – Fire at Woll’s stable, Minersville St. between Centre & Railroad.

165 Years Ago
09/12/1846 – Fire at Mt. Carbon; House occupied by John Glace, which was consumed, together with all his furniture and clothes; the fire also communicated to the two frame buildings belonging to Mr. Donahoe and Mrs. Lanagan, which were also consumed; Loss: $2,000, no insurance.

09/28/1846 – Fire at the Gate Vein stables; property occupied by Adam Eiler as a carpentry shop, an stable of B.F. Pomeroy; Mr. Eiler lost all his carpentry tools and lumber, etc.