Post by rfd301 on Sept 2, 2009 14:03:38 GMT -5
Tragedy Revisited – 50 Years Ago
Schuylkill Haven
On Sunday, September 27, 1959, the Montag family retired for the evening in their Lincoln St. home near Broadway, on what today would be known as “The Island.” 47 year old Vincent (thingy) Montag and his wife, 38 year old Hazel Montag, slept in the front bedroom on the 2nd floor of the single, 2 story frame home. Their son, Richard Montage, age 6, slept in the middle bedroom on the 2nd floor. His sister, Mathilda Ann, age 12, usually slept in the back bedroom. However, there was a threat of rain that evening. Since the roof above the back bedroom sometimes leaked, Mathilda decided to sleep in the middle bedroom with her brother.
Just before 9 o’clock, Mathilda awoke coughing . She immediately smelled and saw smoke. She woke her brother and got him to the bedroom window. She dropped him into the arms of two men who were visiting in the neighborhood, while a third man went to sound the alarm. Mathilda then went to wake her parents in the front bedroom and discovered fire in the back bedroom. She tried to go back to her parents again, but was unable to see them due to the heavy smoke. She then fled the building. Mr. and Mrs. Montag attempted to reach the children’s bedroom, but were turned back by the heat and smoke. They attempted to crawl to the window in the front bedroom and collapsed.
The Schuylkill Haven Fire Department received the alarm at 20:58. Upon arrival of the three borough companies, they were confronted with heavy fire in the rear of the second floor, extending into the hallway. Fire Chief Paul Hinnernutsz had “command.” Led by Asst. Chief Carl Feger, Jr., firefighters donned masks – mostly all-purpose, filter-type – and began a search of the home. They located Mrs. Montag in the front bedroom, lying partly across her husband. She and her husband, both unconscious, were removed from the home.
Firefighters used artificial respiration as well as a resuscitator, but were unable to revive Mr. Montag. He was pronounced dead on the scene. His wife was hospitalized with first degree burns and was said to be suffering from “severe shock” and smoke inhalation. Mathilda suffered first degree burns to her leg. She was released from the hospital the following day. Richard was reported to have also suffered first degree burns, but was hospitalized in “good” condition.
Mrs. Montag was burned in a fire when she was age 8 (then Hazel Sterner) in her Dock St., Schuylkill Haven home. She was using stove polish to clean a stove when the polish ignited, burning her under the arm and on the chest. She extinguished the fire herself and called her mother home from work.
Mr. Montag was a World War II veteran, serving in the Italian campaign. A sergeant with the 339th Infantry Regiment, he was awarded a purple heart and two bronze stars. He was also a member of the Rainbow Hose Co., Schuylkill Haven.
The official cause of the fire was not listed.
Richard Montag, then age 6 and saved from the fire by his sister, also went on to join the Rainbow Hose Company. In fact, rising through the ranks, “Rick” went on to become Schuylkill Haven Borough Fire Chief in 1997.
On Sunday, November 22, 1959, the Montage home on Lincoln St. burned again. This time, though, it was part of a department-wide training session conducted by the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department. Firefighters from Rainbow, Liberty, and Schuylkill Hose used the various types of protective breathing apparatus at the time to conduct smoke drills in the fire-damaged home, searching for dolls placed in the home. Asst. Chief Carl Feger, Jr. of the Schuylkill Hose attended a state-sponsored fire training course and instructed the others in the use of the masks and how to “stay out of trouble” in smoke-filled buildings. At the conclusion of the drill, fire was permitted to consume the home. Fire apparatus was stationed around the home with a water supply established – including a portable pump supplying water from the Schuylkill River – to insure the fire did not spread to any nearby properties.
On Friday evening, November 20, 1959, the apparatus of the Rainbow Hose Company was officially housed in the new engine room, which was built at a cost of $35,000 adjacent to the existing firehouse, which was built in 1894.
Schuylkill Haven
On Sunday, September 27, 1959, the Montag family retired for the evening in their Lincoln St. home near Broadway, on what today would be known as “The Island.” 47 year old Vincent (thingy) Montag and his wife, 38 year old Hazel Montag, slept in the front bedroom on the 2nd floor of the single, 2 story frame home. Their son, Richard Montage, age 6, slept in the middle bedroom on the 2nd floor. His sister, Mathilda Ann, age 12, usually slept in the back bedroom. However, there was a threat of rain that evening. Since the roof above the back bedroom sometimes leaked, Mathilda decided to sleep in the middle bedroom with her brother.
Just before 9 o’clock, Mathilda awoke coughing . She immediately smelled and saw smoke. She woke her brother and got him to the bedroom window. She dropped him into the arms of two men who were visiting in the neighborhood, while a third man went to sound the alarm. Mathilda then went to wake her parents in the front bedroom and discovered fire in the back bedroom. She tried to go back to her parents again, but was unable to see them due to the heavy smoke. She then fled the building. Mr. and Mrs. Montag attempted to reach the children’s bedroom, but were turned back by the heat and smoke. They attempted to crawl to the window in the front bedroom and collapsed.
The Schuylkill Haven Fire Department received the alarm at 20:58. Upon arrival of the three borough companies, they were confronted with heavy fire in the rear of the second floor, extending into the hallway. Fire Chief Paul Hinnernutsz had “command.” Led by Asst. Chief Carl Feger, Jr., firefighters donned masks – mostly all-purpose, filter-type – and began a search of the home. They located Mrs. Montag in the front bedroom, lying partly across her husband. She and her husband, both unconscious, were removed from the home.
Firefighters used artificial respiration as well as a resuscitator, but were unable to revive Mr. Montag. He was pronounced dead on the scene. His wife was hospitalized with first degree burns and was said to be suffering from “severe shock” and smoke inhalation. Mathilda suffered first degree burns to her leg. She was released from the hospital the following day. Richard was reported to have also suffered first degree burns, but was hospitalized in “good” condition.
Mrs. Montag was burned in a fire when she was age 8 (then Hazel Sterner) in her Dock St., Schuylkill Haven home. She was using stove polish to clean a stove when the polish ignited, burning her under the arm and on the chest. She extinguished the fire herself and called her mother home from work.
Mr. Montag was a World War II veteran, serving in the Italian campaign. A sergeant with the 339th Infantry Regiment, he was awarded a purple heart and two bronze stars. He was also a member of the Rainbow Hose Co., Schuylkill Haven.
The official cause of the fire was not listed.
Richard Montag, then age 6 and saved from the fire by his sister, also went on to join the Rainbow Hose Company. In fact, rising through the ranks, “Rick” went on to become Schuylkill Haven Borough Fire Chief in 1997.
On Sunday, November 22, 1959, the Montage home on Lincoln St. burned again. This time, though, it was part of a department-wide training session conducted by the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department. Firefighters from Rainbow, Liberty, and Schuylkill Hose used the various types of protective breathing apparatus at the time to conduct smoke drills in the fire-damaged home, searching for dolls placed in the home. Asst. Chief Carl Feger, Jr. of the Schuylkill Hose attended a state-sponsored fire training course and instructed the others in the use of the masks and how to “stay out of trouble” in smoke-filled buildings. At the conclusion of the drill, fire was permitted to consume the home. Fire apparatus was stationed around the home with a water supply established – including a portable pump supplying water from the Schuylkill River – to insure the fire did not spread to any nearby properties.
On Friday evening, November 20, 1959, the apparatus of the Rainbow Hose Company was officially housed in the new engine room, which was built at a cost of $35,000 adjacent to the existing firehouse, which was built in 1894.