Pottsville Republican of May 24, 1920 FACTORY FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN At noon on Tuesday, fire broke out at the Schuylkill Haven Casket Factory in Schuylkill Haven in the engine room and caused damage to the amount of $1000, entirely covered by insurance. The fire was discovered by the firemen who had not yet gone to their dinner, and they at once closed the heavy doors leading to the main plant and confined the fire to the boiler house and engine room. The plant is situated along the Reading Railroad and it was difficult to get a good supply of water quickly, when the fire companies responded. It is supposed that sparks from the fire box ignited a large pile of shavings, which were to be used for fuel, and at once the engine room was in a blaze. The main building is of brick and there was little danger of this part catching on fire, but there was a large supply of lumber which was in danger. The three Schuylkill Haven fire companies responded at once to the alarm, the Humane and American companies of Pottsville and the two Cressona companies were called and they succeeded in confining the blaze to the boiler and engine room. The fire will not cause a suspension for although the plant was using steam for power, they are equipped with electricity and can carry on their work without any difficulty. When the Pottsville fire apparatus reached Mount Carbon bridge two autos were found to be figuring in a head on collision, one of the cars being owned by L. Weiner. The firemen assisted in separating the cars before they could get over the bridge. Outside of a general smashup of the headlights, there was not much damage done. |
Pottsville Republican of June 30, 1919 COSTLY FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Fire broke out in the skating rink on lower Main Street, Schuylkill Haven, shortly after nine o'clock Monday morning and destroyed the Rink, the Mayberry blacksmith shop next door, badly damaged the Bittler garage, and slightly damaged three houses and the Reider Shoe Factory. The alarm of the fire was sounded about eight minutes after the fire started, but the milk train was on the railroad crossing and this delayed the firemen for a time so that the fire gained headway. The skating rink has for sometime past been used as a storage house and contained about eight autos, some household goods and a quantity of lumber. This was completely destroyed as was also the Mayberry blacksmith shop. Three houses, owned and occupied by Paul Naffin, owner of the skating rink, William Quinter and John Hirst were damaged by fire and water. In the Hirst home a woman with her one day old baby were carried from the house to escape the fire. The Meck and Reber factory was damaged but not to any great extent. The fire is supposed to have started from a small vulcanizing plant beneath the skating rink. The three fire companies of Schuylkill Haven responded and had several streams of water playing on the fire. A Cressona chemical also came to their assistance. The water supply was poor and caused a considerable amount of trouble. The Pottsville companies were appealed to and Chief Stevenson ordered the Good Intent to go at once to the scene of the fire. The Good Intent arrived about the same time as the Schuylkill Haven companies, about nine minutes being required to make the run. It was not more then an hour before the entire disaster and the buildings were in ruins. It is estimated that the loss will reach $30,000. Naffin, who is the heaviest loser, says that his loss is only partly covered by insurance. The contents of the rink alone were worth thousands of dollars. The place contained a $3000 organ, a full set of plumbing implements, which had been stored there and a large machine used for making cement bricks. They were totally destroyed. The vulcanizing plant, owned by Anthony Savoir, where the fire started, was also ruined and the loss is large. At noon the smoke had almost entirely disappeared and the Liberty Fire Company was the only one remaining to see that the fire did not break out in any place again. Schuylkill Haven people are aroused over the matter of the train remaining on the crossing, resulting in a loss of valuable time to the firemen. It is said that the Schuylkill Haven people will take the matter before the officials. **NOTE: Naffin was the father of Harry Naffin, former owner of Messner and Hess and frequent provider of information to this site. The rink was located where Boyer's Market now stands. |
Pottsville Republican of August 22, 1917 LIGHTNING CAUSED TWO FIRES AT SCH HAVEN WITH LOSS OF $50,000 Lightning on Tuesday evening caused two fires at Schuylkill Haven, the first one being discovered in the planing mill of Meck and Keever, located on Railroad Street below Main and the second one at the underwear mill of Baker Brothers located to the rear of Saint John Street south of Market Street. The total damage will reach $50,000 according to a conservative estimate. The loss to the Meck-Keever planing mill will reach almost $6000 and the total loss to Baker Bros will be something over $40,000 partly covered by insurance. Only the splendid work of the firemen prevented the flames from the Baker structure from reaching other buildings and residences close by. There was considerable damage done by the flames shooting out of the Baker building but no other buildings or residences were destroyed. When the terrible crash of thunder came following two sharp flashes of lightning on Tuesday evening, there was a cry of fire from Saint John Street and an alarm was sent in. There had been flames discovered at the boiler house of the planing mill. The firemen responded and succeeded in checking this fire before it reached the buildings where the lumber was stored. The fire however did considerable damage to the boiler and machines. The efforts of everyone were turned to the planing mill and no one knew anything of the fire at Baker's. People residing in Smoketown soon ran to the planing mill fire and made it known that there was a fire at Baker Bros. Mill. The firemen then put a force of men on guard at the planing mill with a stream in case of another outbreak and went to the Baker fire. When they got there the entire lower portion of the building was afire and the flames shot through to the upper story as the firemen prepared their streams for the building. Seeing it was a bad situation they sent for the Pottsville department and the Good Will and the Humane sent their trucks and the Humane a steamer. For almost two hours the firemen battled with the fire here and finally succeeded in getting the building to fall in on one side so they could confine it. The diligent work of the firemen and the fact that there was no wind saved the other buildings and the residences in that vicinity. The Zimmerman home about sixty feet from the Baker mill, was afire several times but each time the firemen succeeded in extinguishing it before any serious damage resulted. The Zimmerman home was vacant, the tenants moving out last week, but Mrs. Zimmerman had some furniture stored in the house. The fire appeared to start near the motor room, lightning apparently having entered through the opening just above the motor box. Within ten minutes of having being struck, half of the Baker mill was afire and the flames were shooting out windows upstairs and down. The mill which is owned by Baker Bros. and Company was successfully managed by Herbert Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Baker, who live close by and George Long, a brother in law of Baker. Both Baker and Long were at a camp at a place near Pinedale, having closed down the mill on Monday and giving the employees a two weeks vacation. A few months ago Baker spent several thousand dollars in adding a new section to the mill, owing to the increase in the business and he also remodeled the building. The plant was said to be one of the most modern and sanitary mills in the state and the firm took pride in keeping the machinery modern and all equipment of the very latest type. The loss to the building is about $8500, loss on raw material including yarn and knitted goods ready for cutting about $9000, loss on machinery, equipment, etc. about $18,500 and loss on finished products about $8,000, the losses being only partially covered by insurance. When the fire broke out some of Baker's and Long's friends went to their camp and when they arrived in Schuylkill Haven, the mill was a mass of flames. Mrs. Emanuel baker, mother of Herbert Baker, looked out her window at the destructive flames and watched the building burn to the ground. She broke down several times and friends went in to comfort her. The Baker mill closed down Monday and on Tuesday the score or more of employees reported to Miss Lucinda Clouser, forelady of the mill, and received their pay in order that they might go on their vacations. Baker inspected the mill on Tuesday morning and expected to have his cutters soon start work to prepare for work for the young ladies within another ten days. The mill was struck by lightning on two other occasions but each time the blaze was only slight. If it had been discovered it could have easily been extinguished this time as there were a dozen fire extinguishers about the mill at various points. The electric lights in various parts of the town were out following the fire and there were a number of minor accidents. No one was seriously hurt however, although a couple of the firemen suffered slight burns from the falling building. The firm will start to rebuild in a short time. The Meck and Keever firm are making preparations for immediate repairs and they will have their plant back in shape within a short time. |
Pottsville Republican of September 22, 1904 FIRE DESTROYS OLD BUILDING Fire at about 2:30 o'clock this morning destroyed the old Peter Maguire homestead in Irish Flat at Schuylkill Haven. The property had long ago passed into the hands of the P & R Company and of late was occupied by Italians. Only a few days ago the last tenant moved out and another Italian family from Pottsville was to have moved in this week. Opinion is divided as to whether the fire was caused by a locomotive spark or an incendiary. The fact that the entire house appeared to burst in flame from cellar to garret instantaneously seems to favor the latter theory. The house was a mere shell and was not worth more then a couple of hundred dollars. There was no wind, and the fire did no damage to adjoining properties, but burned itself out where it started. The Schuylkill and Rainbow Hose Companies promptly responded to the alarm. Being greatly hampered by a very meager water supply, they paid no attention to the doomed building, but devoted all their energies to saving surrounding property, being very ably assisted in their work by a bucket brigade. |
Pottsville Republican of May 5, 1908 THREE MAY DIE AS RESULT OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FIRE The accidental overturning of a lighted lamp in the home of John Boyer on High Street, Schuylkill Haven, at 3 o'clock this morning resulted in a fire that completely destroyed that house and the adjoining residence of Charles Shappell, together with the partial destruction of the dwelling occupied by Frank Swartz. The scene of the fire was upon the steep part of High Street on the west side, just above Union Street. The Boyer and Shappell families occupied a double block which was owned by W. Irvin Henry of Tamaqua, and below this house was the single cottage occupied by Mr. Swartz. Above the Shappell house is D. M. Wagner's stable, which was only saved by the most strenuous efforts of the firemen. The street is only twenty feet wide and the fronts of houses on the opposite side occupied by Postmaster Huy and Oscar Barr were badly scorched and charred. The heat was so intense that it was almost impossible for the firemen to work in the narrow street and the flying sparks kept residents in the neighborhood busy with buckets of water protecting their own homes. FIRE SPREAD QUICKLY The instant the lamp was upset the fire swept with whirlwind rapidity through the Boyer house and communicated with the Shappell house and by the time the firemen arrived both houses were aflame from cellar to garret. In Mr. Boyer's household besides himself were his wife, Mrs. Wagner, her son Frantz and her daughter, Mrs. Oswald, together with the latter's son Floyd. Mr. Shappell's household consisted of himself and his wife, their children, Earl, Beulah and Charles and Robert and Anna Brown, children of Mrs. Shappell by her first husband. BOYER SERIOUSLY BURNED In his efforts to save his family, Mr. Boyer was terribly burned about the head and shoulders. It is also feared that he inhaled the flame and his death is feared. He was removed to the home of his brother-in-law, Milton Shappell on Margaretta Street where he lies swathed in bandages and suffering excruciating pain. His wife escaped in safety but lost all of their clothing and practically all of their household goods, while Mr. Boyer also lost $400 in cash which had been paid him the day before as part of his share of the Boyer estate and which was in the pocket of his coat. WOMAN MAY ALSO DIE Mrs. Wagner was terribly burned about the face and arms and is also believed to have inhaled the flame. She was removed to the home of her son, Isaac Wagner, further up High Street and suffers untold agony. The balance of her family escaped in safety but lost their all. SHOCK MAY KILL ANOTHER The Shappell household escaped, most of them in scanty attire, but lost most of their household goods and as a result of the shock, Mr. Shappell, who is subject to heart trouble, is very low with poor chances of his recovery. He is being tenderly cared for at the home of Harry Guertler on High Street. Frank Swartz and his wife moved out of their house as soon as the alarm was given and saved most of their effects which were stored in the residences of neighbors. ASK AID OF POTTSVILLE With the three houses ablaze and the sparks flying at one time it was feared that this entire section of town, which is very closely built up, would catch fire and Pottsville was telephoned to for aid, but the three local fire companies by most valiant work succeeded in getting the fire under control in time to stop the Pottsville firemen just as they were about to leave that town. THE LOSSES The Boyer and Shappell block owned by Mr. Henne, valued at about $2500, is fully insured. The Swartz residence owned by Mr. Fahl is valued at $2000, is fully insured. No insurance was carried by the tenants on their household goods. Kind neighbors took in the homeless families and provided food and clothing while Manager Underwood, of Doutrich's and Company, sent clothing to the needy ones. Various other donations have been made and others will not be amiss. |
Pottsville Republican of March 22, 1906 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HAD A BIG FIRE LAST NIGHT The largest and most costly fire in the history of Schuylkill Haven occurred last night when the knitting and storage departments of H. Berger and Sons big underwear mill on Spring Garden Street was destroyed. The flames were first discovered in the boiler house, the roof of which was ablaze. An alarm was sounded and the Friendship Hook and Ladder Company and the Rainbow Hose Company immediately responded while the Schuylkill Hose Company came within a brief space of time. The Hookies turned their chemical stream on the blaze and put out the fire on the boiler house roof, but the flames had communicated to the main part of the mill and followed the stairways up the three floors to the roof. By the time the water streams were turned on the entire interior of the big three story building was a seething cauldron of flames. The firemen had an ample water supply, the heavy construction and isolation of the burning structure kept the flames confined and prevented their spread and although sparks rained like hail from the mill windows on to nearby buildings, none were ignited owing to the fact that their roofs were covered with a foot of snow and the watchful firemen turned a stream on whenever a burning brand landed on a dangerous spot. Fearing a spread of the flames, at the very outset of the fire, Pottsville was asked for aid and at midnight the Humane steamer and hose truck arrived. By that time the local fire companies had the fire under control, but the visiting company rendered signal assistance of drowning out what still remained of the fire in the mill. The Humane Company remained on duty several hours and the local companies continued to play on the ruins until six o'clock this morning when all the companies except the Rainbow were dismissed, the latter remaining on duty all day to guard against any outbreak of flame. The burned building was one of a group of three buildings, which comprised H. Berger and Sons mill. This structure was erected in 1886 by James Seyfert as a grist mill and was run as such until about 1887. It passed into the hands of the late George McWilliams and was purchased from him by Mr. Berger in 1891. They first conducted a hosiery mill but in 1893 changed to the manufacture of underwear, which they have continued to the present day. About two years ago a bleachery was added to the establishment, being located to the rear of the burned building and in a separate brick structure. Last summer a large brick building was put up to the rear of the bleachery and the finishing and packing departments and the office were removed thereto. Neither of these two buildings were touched by the flames. The three buildings cover an extent of several acres and form the most complete underwear mill in this section of the state. The payroll numbered 125 hands and the mill's output is close onto 3,000 dozen garments per week. The burned building is forty by fifty feet in size with a boiler and engine room annex of forty by twenty feet. The main building consists of a basement below, the street level and three stories above, while the boiler room is one story and the engine room two, the floor above the engine being used as a shipping room. The nest of three big tubular boilers was not damaged by the fire and it is believed the engine has suffered no damage. The basement of the mill was used for the storage of pipes, fittings, extra parts of the machinery, etc. and much of this is rusted and ruined by water. On the ground floor were cases of goods ready for shipment and a lot of yarn, some of this being completely destroyed by the flames and what escaped the fire is so water soaked and blackened by smoke as to be useless. On the second floor are 36 knitting machines of the latest pattern and ten sleeving machines, representing a cost of at least $12,000 which are completely ruined by fire and water. In addition there were yarns and goods in process of manufacture that were eaten by the hungry flames, blackened by smoke and ruined by water. The third floor contained cases of goods in storage and a lot of machinery that was not being used in the manufacture of this season's goods and had been stored there, all of which was completely destroyed by the flames. The stout walls of the building, the heavy timber flooring and the steel sheathed roof, while furnishing food for the flame for more then three hours, still stand, the second floor in particular supporting the many tons of ruined machinery. Mr. H. Berger and Son estimate the loss on the building at about $50,000. The destroyed machinery cost them about $15,000 and there were goods in process of manufacture and on storage to the value of about $15,000, making a total loss of $35,000. This is heavily but not fully insured. The origin of the fire is a mystery and although it was supposed to have started in the boiler house, an examination of the latter today showed it to be in the same condition as when left last night. |
Pottsville Republican of September 12, 1906 LIGHTNING SETS FIRE TO A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FACTORY The underwear mill of the Eureka Knitting Mill Company at Schuylkill Haven was struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm at 10 o'clock last night and was set on fire and totally destroyed. The mill was located in Dutch Flat, was of frame, 60 by 80 feet and two and a half stories high. It contained twelve knitting machines, four sleevers and twenty finishing machines, besides engine and boiler, fleecing machines, etc, and was a most up to date plant. The bolt struck the northeast corner where the fleecing room is located and by the time the firemen were able to reach the scene the entire building was a mass of flames. The fire burned fiercely for two hours before it was gotten under control and all the while menaced the big paper box factory of Saul and Zang which adjoined the Eureka Mill on the south. The absence of wind and the strenuous efforts of the firemen saved the paper box factory as it was ablaze a number of times. The Eureka Knitting Mill Company is composed of P. O. Detweiler, President, C. F. Schumacher, Charles Keller and R. J. Hoffman, Secretary and Manager. Their loss is about $20,000 on building and machinery and $5000 on stock, with about $12,000 worth of insurance. Saul and Zang building and stock were damaged to the extent of about $200 by fire and water. A SECOND STORM AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN TODAY Another terrific thunderstorm passed over Schuylkill Haven at noon today, the electrical disturbance being considerably more severe then last night. A large ball of fire struck the Bast Knitting mills. The bolt entered the plant, threw one of the girl employees from her chair and stunned several others. The plant caught fire but the building was saved by means of extinguishers. The factory has shut down temporarily. A large ball of fire struck the sidewalk nearly creating consternation in a large portion of the town. The residence of F. B. Aldrich, Superintendent of Schuylkill Haven Gas and water Company ad the Pottsville Gas Company was struck by lightning and damaged considerably. |
Pottsville Republican of May 3, 1900 BIG FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN A fire broke out at Schuylkill Haven about 1:45 o’clock this afternoon, which for a time threatened to destroy a large section of town. The fire originated in the stable of Levi Kershner opposite the P & R freight station. The Pottsville fire department was asked for assistance, but at 2:45 o’clock the conflagration was extinguished. About 1:45 o’clock, Albert Doudle, freight agent at the P & R station, discovered smoke and flames issuing from the stable of Levi Kershner. He sent in the alarm, and the Schuylkill Hose Company and the Rainbow Hose Company responded and soon had four streams on the burning building. Fanned by a brisk wind, the flames soon spread to the two story brick stable of Harry Dohner and despite the work of the firemen Levi Hummel’s two and a half story brick warehouse and stable was soon afire. A frame stable owned by Frank Kershner caught afire and burned fiercely, as did also the stable of Oscar Sterner. The citizens now became alarmed and word was sent to Pottsville for assistance, but the firemen soon had the blaze under control. At 2:30 o’clock the brick walls of Hummel’s warehouse fell in and the other buildings were a mass of burning embers. The loss will amount to about $4000, of which only a small part is covered by insurance. The warehouse of Levi Hummel contained furniture and a wagon. His loss will amount to $1500, only a small portion being covered by insurance. Levi Kershner’s loss will amount to about $1200. In the stable was a calf which was burned to death. A wagon, sleigh and butchering implements were also destroyed. Kershner’s stable also contained about 100 chickens and pigeons which perished in the fire. His loss is covered by only $500 insurance. Harry Dohner’s two story brick stable was a total loss. His insurance had run out and as he intended to convert the building into a factory, failed to have it renewed. Frank Kershner’s loss will amount to $500 on which there is no insurance. The fire, it is supposed was caused by children who had built a fire near Kershner’s stable. All the buildings were two story frame ones excepting Dohner’s and Hummel’s which were brick. At a few minutes before 2:00 o’clock this afternoon there came a call by phone at the police headquarters to which Officer Graeff responded. The officer learned it was a call from Schuylkill Haven for help from our fire department to aid in subduing a fire which had gotten the upper hand of the fire department in that town. The officer lost no time in securing the consent of N. C. Morrison and G. A. Doerflinger, members of the Council Committee on Fire Apparatus, to send the engine and carriage of the Good Intent. No sooner had members of the company driven to the Reading depot to load up the fire apparatus than word came that their services were not needed because the firemen and citizens of that town were on a fair way to conquer the flames. In less then fifteen minutes after the message was received consent was obtained from the committee and the fire machines were waiting at the station to be loaded. |
Pottsville Republican of November 4, 1921 EXPLOSION AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MILL Shortly after noon on Friday, an explosion occurred at the J. F. Bast Knitting Mill at Schuylkill Haven which resulted in $15000 damage and in the injuries of two girls, employees of the mill. The mill is one of the largest in this section of the county and in addition to the manufacture of women’s underwear, do their own bleaching and dyeing. The bleachery is located in a three story frame building in which large kiers or vats containing the acid used in bleaching are located. It is believed that the safety valve in one of the kiers, which was filled with goods, in some way became blocked, and the gas which was generated caused the explosion. The entire building and four kiers are totally destroyed. The bleachery is not connected with the main building of the mill, so this was in no way damaged by the explosion. Two girls, Miss Lillian Frier and Miss Tillie Genslinger, of Schuylkill Haven, were eating their lunch in the room directly above where the explosion occurred and both girls are badly injured from flying pieces of wood, etc., and are suffering from shock. It was a most fortunate thing that the accident happened during lunch time, as almost the entire force leaves the building during the lunch hour, and had it happened later, would probably resulted in the injury of many employees. As it was, only the two girls, who remained in the building were injured. The entire side of the building was blown out and the interior is a wreck. |
Pottsville Republican of November 29, 1888 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Early this morning flames were discovered issuing from Weaver's shoe factory at Schuylkill Haven, and before they could be subdued the building and contents were almost totally destroyed. A box of shoes were found in a neighboring alley, and this couples with the fact that the front door was found open gives rise to the belief of a burglary and incendiarism. The fire was discovered at one thirty in the morning and the Rainbow Hose Company did good work, devoting their attention to the machinery, which they succeeded in saving. The building is a complete wreck. The fire started in the rear basement where the proprietor's father had a carpenter shop. John Weber, the proprietor, had the factory in operation about a year, and only last week was fortunate enough to insure the building and its contents for $2400, which will fully cover the loss. A window was also found broken open. |
Pottsville Republican of July 5, 1917 $2000 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Fire of an unknown origin destroyed the home of George Ney of Berne Street, Schuylkill Haven, about two thirty o'clock Tuesday morning. The family were aroused by the smoke in the upper part of the house, where most of the fire was and they were able to save only a few things, most of the furniture and belongings of the family being destroyed by fire and water. The entire upper part of the house, which is a two and a half story building, was destroyed by fire and water ruined the lower part of the building and contents. The total loss is about $2000. The flames spread quickly and but for the flooding of the building by water, it would have been burned to the ground and sparks endangered the Bittle building and the Bast Mill. The Schuylkill Haven firemen worked diligently and are being praised for their work. |
Pottsville Republican of October 18, 1917 $4000 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Two houses owned by J. Gellert of Pottsville, located on Columbia Street about a square off Canal Street, were destroyed by fire shortly after ten o'clock Thursday morning. The fire which it is thought started in the lower house occupied by William Sell and family, is of unknown origin and as it crept to the home next door occupied by Charles Roeder and family, it endangered other properties on the block. Mrs. Roeder, who had been in bed for several months past, was rescued by Harry Schumacher, a grocer, residing a few doors away. He carried her to the home of her mother in law, Mrs. George Roeder, a short distance away. Both homes are ruined, the flames creeping to all parts of the two buildings, the Sell property being a story and a half and the Roeder home a two story residence. Some of the furniture was saved by the firemen and neighbors but a great deal of furniture was destroyed by fire and water. The local damage will be over $4000, partly covered by insurance. The fire started in the Sell home and was discovered shortly after 10:30. The origin is mysterious as there was no one home at the Sell property at he time of the fire, Mrs. Sell being away on a visit. The flames suddenly burst out and in a very short time the Roeder home was a mass of flames. Only the quick and accurate work of the fire department of Schuylkill Haven saved the Renninger property on one side and the George Roeder property on the other side. |
Pottsville Republican of September 2, 1936 SLIGHT DAMAGE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FIRE A fire alarm at five o'clock this morning sent all local fire companies to James Mellon's Ice House on Garfield Avenue, Schuylkill Haven, where fire had broken out on the street side and caused a pile of boards and sawdust to burn. The exact cause of the blaze is unknown, but it originated in the sawdust storage place under the skating rink. It was necessary to remove several of the boards of the smaller building to extinguish the flames but there is only slight damage. The larger building which is used as a skating rink was undamaged. Robert Fry, a milk truck delivery man, discovered the flames and smoke as he passed Willow Lake early this morning and the fire companies responded so quickly that a probable great loss was prevented. |
Pottsville Republican of August 10, 1929 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MILL BURNED Fire of unknown origin destroyed the Schuylkill Haven Knitting Mill, owned by Harry and Paul Reidler of Orwigsburg, opposite the Meister Auto Building and Repair Shop at Schuylkill Haven, at an early hour Saturday morning. The loss will total close to $10,000 but is fully insured. The fire was discovered shortly after 2:00 am by Harold Mecker of Pottsville and Paul Mengle of Centre Avenue, who lives near the factory. They immediately turned in the alarm which was answered by the Liberty, Rainbow and Schuylkill Hose Companies. The three companies responded at once and found volumes of smoke pouring from the building. It was believed the blaze started in the basement of the structure and had been smoldering for some time. Shortly after the arrival of the firemen, flames enveloped the center section of the factory and for a time it looked as though the building would burn to the ground. Prompt work of the firemen who were handicapped by hose lines bursting, prevented the flames from spreading to nearby dwellings. The entire stock as well as the knitting machines were destroyed. Paul Reidler, one of the members of the firm, had been in the factory at 10:00 pm and after working in the office for a few moments, made an inspection of the basement and everything was in order. At 2:30 am, the fire was pronounced under control. One of the companies remained on duty for the night to prevent any further outbreak. |
Pottsville Republican of July 19, 1895 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Fire this morning destroyed the warehouse adjoining the mill of the Schuylkill Haven Iron Company. The Schuylkill Hose Company were the first on the grounds with their truck and did good work in confining the flames in the building where it started and saved the adjoining property. The fire was put out on one half an hour after it was discovered. Too much praise can not be given to the fire boys for in their good work and for responding so promptly when notified about the fire and the people of the town can be glad to have a local volunteer department to do so much for them. |
Pottsville Republican of April 20, 1896 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The Kinsley Meat Market is Ruined - Other Properties Damaged This morning at 4:30 o'clock the stable adjoining Kinsley's Meat Market on Canal Street, Schuylkill Haven, took fire and before the firemen could respond the stable was in one mass of flames, and before the fire was extinguished the meat market, a frame building, was totally destroyed and the brick dwellings of Charles and Harry Kantner were badly damaged by water, in addition to that caused by the flames. Kinsley had entered the stable this morning for the purpose of getting ready for the day. He took with him a lighted lantern, which he hung on a nail. Shortly afterward he went out into the wagon shed and when he returned he found the inflammable contents of the stable in a big blaze and beyond his control. Kinsley then alarmed the vicinity with cries of fire, while busy removing his cattle, and this brought out the firemen, who responded promptly for that hour of morning. The building occupied by Kinsley was the property of W. L. Weissinger. It and the properties of the Kantners were covered by insurance. |
Pottsville Republican of November 27, 1923 MOTHER AND BABE PERISH WHEN HOME IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BURNED A mother and six weeks old baby died in a fire which turned their home into a mass of flames. Mrs. Horace Kramer died at Schuylkill Haven on Tuesday morning when she ran back into the burning building for her baby and died of suffocation and burns after she reached the child which was in bed and who also died. Mrs. Kramer was the housekeeper of Mr. Joseph Schwartz of Schuylkill Haven, and the home was located at what is now known as Edgewood on South Canal Street. At about 8:15 Tuesday morning, William Sheriff, aged ten of Schuylkill Haven, saw smoke coming from the house which was an old lodge and saw Mrs. Kramer running from the house crying "Fire" and then rush back into the building. The boy sent in an alarm but by the time the firemen arrived, the entire building which was frame with a tin roof was a sea of flames and it was impossible for them to get into it to rescue the woman. The door was locked and it is believed That after Mrs. Kramer went back into the building, the dead bolt on the door locked and they could not get out. There was also difficulty in getting water to the fire as fire plugs had but recently been placed in this section of town and the connections were not yet made. Shortly after the firemen arrived, Mr. Schwartz, who had been at work, and had been told of the fire came to the scene and was intent upon entering the building to rescue those within. He was shown how futile his attempt would be and was taken away by firemen. The body of the baby was found near the remains of the bed, burned to a crisp, and that of the mother was found near the window, only partly burned. They were removed to the undertaking establishment of Bittle and Confehr and prepared for burial. Deputy Coroner Heim will conduct an inquest. It is believed that the cause of the fire was an overheated stove. It started in the main part of the building and spread to the second story and the roof. Mrs. Kramer recently became separated from her husband. She is survived by a husband and four children. She was Bessie Spacht, of Cressona, before marriage and is survived by four brothers, William F., Arthur, Russell, and Samuel H. Spacht, of Cressona, and three sisters, Beulah, a trained nurse residing in the west, Eva wife of Frank Kipp and Mattie of Cressona. A roll of money, damaged by water and flames was found in the ruins. It was believed to contain about seventy or eighty dollars worth of bills and was taken in charge by the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company, who will have it sent away and redeemed, as the greater part of the bills were saved. Carl Garrick, a member of the Rainbow Fire Company, was overcome by smoke while trying to recover the body of Mrs. Kramer and was unconscious for a time but later recovered. |
Pottsville Republican of February 19, 1916 $3000 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Fire which threatened for a time to destroy about seven frame houses on Prospect Hill, Schuylkill Haven, broke out in the home of Mrs. Joseph Webber at 210 Market Street shortly after midnight Friday, and destroyed the Webber home and a great deal of the furniture and belongings of the family. The loss to the home and contents is estimated at $3000, which is partially covered by insurance. The fire started in the kitchen and was discovered about 12:15 o'clock and an alarm sent in. Some mixup occurred in the sounding of the alarm and the companies were detained for a short time. When they arrived they found themselves confronted with a most difficult task as the flames were already shooting through the rear of the house and threatened adjoining buildings. The wind was high and was blowing in the direction of the Bowen home to the east. Suddenly the course of the wind changed and this prevented the flames from spreading, the firemen taking advantage of the change of the wind to play their streams on the building west, a space of about twenty five feet preventing the fire from spreading in that direction. When the fire was discovered by the Webber family, they were unable to get to the kitchen, the entire kitchen being a mass of flames and part of the stairway had already caught fire. Some of the furniture in the front of the home was saved but practically everything in the rear of the home was destroyed. The rear of the house was entirely destroyed and only a portion of the front was left standing. The house was recently remodeled and some new furniture purchased. The work of the Citizen's Fire Company, Schuylkill Hose Company and Liberty Fire Company was appreciated by the residents on Prospect Hill, their fine work keeping the fire confined to the one home. Up to 12:45 o'clock, the Bowen home adjoining, the Graeff home, The Hartnett home, the Hill home and others were threatened. |
Pottsville Republican of August 2, 1922 HOME STRUCK BY LIGHTNING The home of Walter Scott, Centre Avenue, Schuylkill Haven, was struck by lightning Tuesday evening and the house, a brick one, was badly damaged. The bolt struck the house just as the family were eating supper and made such a noise that the family thought it was an explosion of dynamite. A shower of plaster and bricks rained down on the sidewalk, but luckily no one was injured. A bolt also struck a telegraph pole at Centre and Dock Streets cutting it clean in half. |
Pottsville Republican of February 22, 1925 STUBBORN FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN One of the hardest fires to fight in Schuylkill Haven for years was that which occurred on Sunday morning about two o'clock, in the store and dwelling of John Bubeck, of Schuylkill Haven and the home of Joseph Sieck, both homes being located on Centre Avenue. Shortly before two o'clock in the morning Mrs. Bubeck awoke and smelled smoke. She got up and tried to turn on the electric light and found that there was no light. She summoned her husband and by this time the house was filled with smoke and they found that they could not get down the stairway and had to get out a window on the second floor to a porch after which they called to the neighbors next door and an alarm of fire was sent in. The three companies, the Rainbow, the Schuylkill and the Liberty companies responded and when they got there, they found that the rear cellar was a mass of flames and that the fire was creeping up the partitions between the two homes. They were able to keep the air from getting in and by the use of chemicals and water, to check the fire without damaging the whole building, although the rear ends of the Bubeck and Sieck homes are badly damaged and a large amount of merchandise which Mr. Bubeck had stored in the cellar was destroyed. It is estimated that the damage will be about $4500, partially covered by insurance. One of the things which hampered the firemen most was that the heat melted the gas pipes and the firemen had to work with gas masks on account of the gas and the smoke, but they did very successful work. The families had to leave their homes in their night clothing and Mrs. Sieck fainted from the excitement and several firemen had narrow escapes from the gas. Mr. and Mrs. Bubeck will make their home for the present with Mr. Bubeck's mother but he will be able to conduct his tore and the Siecks will be able to live in their home after a little repairing is done. The fire reached the attic by going through the partitions but the greater part of the houses were saved , although much damage was done by water and chemicals. The fire is believed to have been caused by crossed wires. |
Pottsville Republican of May 16, 1925 Fire totally destroyed the private garage of William J. Roeder on Columbia Street, and almost entirely burned that of Harry J. Schumacher, which adjoined it. The Ford touring car owned by Mr. Roeder was totally destroyed. The fire occurred at about nine o'clock Friday evening and started in or about the Roeder garage. The cause is unknown. The garage of Howard Faust, which stands near, was partly damaged and was saved by the firemen. The business garage owned by the Bast Estate was threatened. W. O. Schumacher had quite a quantity of household furniture stored in the Schumacher garage and it is a total loss. The loss, partly covered by insurance, will be about $300. |
Pottsville Republican of September 14, 1925 Lightning struck the Gas Plant owned by the borough during the storm Saturday night, and if the fire had not been seen by residents nearby, the building would have been destroyed. They formed a bucket brigade and extinguished the flames, which had made some progress in the frame of the building. The loss is covered by insurance. The lightning played havoc with the electric light service here. Several bolts struck near the lines so that fuses were knocked out and much damage done. Many parts of town were in darkness and the line force worked all day Sunday to repair. |
Pottsville Republican of February 24, 1933 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN RESIDENCE WAS BADLY DAMAGED BY FIRE About three o'clock Thursday afternoon, fire partly destroyed the brick building on the corner of Columbia and Charles Streets, owned by the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company. The building was occupied by Mrs. Minnie Shirey. The family were at home and did not know of the fire till it was seen by persons outside. At that time the entire roof and garret were a mass of flames. The entire fire department responded and the companies speedily had streams of water on the blaze. Firemen carried the household furniture out but most of it was water soaked and badly damaged. The fire was caused by a defective chimney. The strong wind forced the sparks through crevices in the chimney where it passed to the roof. The building is an old one and it is quite badly damaged. An entire new roof would be required to repair it and a number of repairs to the lower floors. The damage is probably between five hundred and a thousand dollars. The damage to the furniture and other personal property is about five hundred dollars. The damaged furniture has been stored in nearby garages and Mrs. Shirey with her five children are being taken care of in the home of her mother, Mrs. Krammes. |
Pottsville Republican of December 9, 1937 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN A fire occurred on Thursday morning in the property owned by Gabriel Luongo, at Saint John and Wilson Streets, Schuylkill Haven and resulted in approximately five hundred dollars worth of damage by fire and smoke. The property is occupied by Luongo's Beer Garden, the Solomon Schwartz Women's Dress Shop and the State Liquor Store. When Allen Messer, bartender for Luongo, went into the cellar to fix the furnace he found the place filled with smoke and flames, which seemed to have originated in the ceiling near the furnace pipes going upstairs. He saw the flames shooting through the floor of the liquor store and as it was before the time for the place to be open for business, it was necessary to break the window in order to gain access to the room to fight the fire. The fire companies were called and succeeded in extinguishing the flames by chopping through the liquor store floor. Considerable damage was done to the woodwork of the store and to the bottled goods. The Schwartz stock consisted largely of women's dresses which were damaged and there was slight damage by smoke to the apartments above the business places but it is not thought that the loss will amount to more then five hundred dollars. Mrs. Gabriel Luongo, who has been an invalid for years was removed from her smoke filled apartment and taken to the home of a relative where she is being treated for shock. |
Pottsville Republican of September 26, 1938 APARTMENT FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Fire of unknown origin was discovered Sunday evening shortly after six o'clock, in the apartment on Saint Peter's Street, Schuylkill Haven, owned by Dr. A. J. Knauss of Pottsville and occupied by the Everett Jones family. The fire was discovered by William McGlone who saw the smoke coming from a closet in the kitchen of the Jones apartment which is on the second floor. The Jones family were in Collegeville for the day and when the fire was discovered it had gained headway, causing damage to the Maurice Headinger apartment on the third floor and the Isaac Kempner apartment on the first floor. Mr. McGlone received scorched and blistered hands fighting the flames until the Schuylkill Haven fire companies responded to an alarm. He was taken to a physician for treatment. The damage which is believed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion will amount to a thousand dollars. Mr. Jones is the only one not covered by insurance. |
Pottsville Republican of October 21, 1935 50TH BIRTHDAY OF HAVEN FIRE COMPANY Week of Services Planned By Rainbow Hose Company in Honor of Event Plans are being made for an unusual event in Schuylkill Haven. The Rainbow Hose Company of Spring Garden Street, oldest fire company in the town, will celebrate their fiftieth anniversary. The history of the company is very interesting. They have taken a leading part in community affairs and many of the charter members were active in the work of the borough. In the early days, with hand drawn equipment, it took physical strength to run to fires, probably to extreme ends of the town and the records of the company show that they did many good jobs in fire fighting. Early in their existence they purchased a desirable location and erected a fire house which later was improved and enlarged and which today is one of the largest and most complete in the county. Abraham Maberry, President, and B. Curtis Deavon, Secretary, will direct the events of the celebration which will start with services at Christ Lutheran Church, Sunday evening, November 17th and continue during the week. A banquet for the men and an open meeting and a banquet for the ladies of the company are included in the tentative plans. Mr. Deavon has written a most interesting history of the company. |
Pottsville Republican of June 25, 1925 TWO BUSINESSES HEAVIEST LOSERS Two buildings in the heart of the business section of Schuylkill Haven were destroyed by fire and two adjoining buildings were seriously damaged by water and smoke early Thursday morning. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined. An investigation into the cause will be started. It is estimated the total loss of machinery and stock will reach $50000. The loss is fully covered by insurance. The fire had its origin in the Michel Bakery which is located in the rear of Numbers 3, 5, and 7 Main Street. The bakery and machinery were completely destroyed. The home of Charles Michel and the ice cream plant and building with thousands of dollars of candy were ruined by water. Mr. Michel estimates his loss at about $125,000. The building adjoining the Michel property on the east side, owned by Mrs. Susan Buehler, widow of Samuel Buehler, former county jury commissioner, was soaked with water and the rear was slightly damaged by fire. She estimates her loss at about $15,000. The store and home of Dr. W. E. Stine which is located on the corner to the west of the Michel building escaped without damage from water or fire, but suffered considerable loss to his stock from smoke. His loss will probably reach $5,000. Others to suffer in the fire loss were Maurer and Maurer, chiropractors in the Buehler Building, the A & P store on the ground floor of the same building and the Haven Cab, located on the second floor of the Michel Building. Although the Buehler Building was soaked with the water, the A & P store fortunately escaped without much loss. It was shortly after five o'clock that Mrs. Charles Michel was awakened by smoke. When she awoke the bedroom was filled with smoke. She called her husband who dashed to the front window and called to workmen who sent in the alarm. So rapidly did the fire gain headway, that neither the Michel family or the Buehler family were able to remove any of their furniture. They did however save some clothing. Owing to the lack of proper water pressure and the location of the blaze beneath the roof of the bakery, it was extremely difficult to conquer. It was a stubborn blaze and the combined efforts of firemen from four towns were necessary to extinguish it. Street car service to Orwigsburg was interrupted for several hours, it being near the noon hour before transportation connection was made to the former county seat. Schuylkill Haven was without trolley service until seven o'clock, the power having been turned off. It was impossible for cars through to Orwigsburg, the main street of Schuylkill Haven being blocked by fire apparatus and the tracks covered with the sections of hose. When Fire Chief Christ Schumacher of Schuylkill Haven saw the fire was more then the local departments could successfully combat, he sent out calls for help. Two Cressona companies, the Orwigsburg department and the Humane Fire Company from Pottsville responded. The fire was one of the largest and left one of the greatest losses in its wake that Schuylkill Haven has ever suffered. The loss will not destroy the beauty of the business section of the borough. Arrangements have been made to commence work immediately upon adjustment by the insurance companies. The fire burned for an hour and a half before it was brought under control. At seven o'clock, Fire Chief Schumacher announced that the efforts of the firemen had stopped the blaze. For a while it was feared that the block would be swept away. Only the hard work and superhuman efforts of the firemen prevented this. Mr. Michel is at a loss as to the cause of the fire. He stated that the bakery had not been worked since Wednesday afternoon. The night shift making ice cream had gone home at 4:30 o'clock, not seeing a fire when they left. All electric wires were safely run through conduits and there was no fire in the ovens. It was only a matter of a few minutes after Mr. Michel called out of the window that his building was afire and the companies responded. A hose was attached to a fire hydrant in the front of the Michel Building and firemen ran it back to the rear. There was a howl of air as the water was turned on because the pressure was so low that the stream failed to carry to the blaze which by that time was shooting through the roof in long spiking tongues of fire. A pumper was at once put on a plug but this delay was costly as the fire made its way through the bakery and communicated with the other building and was scorching the other building on the east side. With the first plug stream pouring on the burning building housing the bakery, another was directed on the Buehler Building, which by this time was blazing. In less time then it takes to tell it, the flames had eaten their way through the walls of the bakery and were moving with incredible rapidity throughout both the Michel buildings. Fifteen minutes after the fire was discovered it appeared as if the structures on both sides of it were doomed. With the arrival of aid from the surrounding towns, many streams of water were played upon the fire but by this time it had licked its way to the roof of the Michel building and was concealing itself in the walls. At this stage the fire became extremely difficult to conquer, it being almost impossible to get to it. It was necessary to chop away the roof and send several streams pouring into the building. The water pressure of the borough was not sufficient to handle the strain placed upon it by the drawing of the pumping engines and two companies were placed in the rear of the building and suction connections were placed in the Schuylkill River and two streams were placed on the rear of the building. So stubborn was the fire in the Michel Building that at one time no less then four streams were pouring into the building from holes which had been chopped in the roof. The building was completely saturated, the water filling up the cellar,where is located the ice cream plant. At one time, water came down the stairs from the living quarters in torrents, and as it washed down the stairs, it resembled a mill stream over a water wheel. The building was completely drowned out. The furniture was completely destroyed. Many thousand dollars in candy stock stored next to the ice cream store was ruined by water and the smoke. |
Pottsville Republican of November 29, 1924 THEATRE AFIRE, KIDS FILE OUT When a fire broke out in the Refowich Theatre at Schuylkill Haven on Saturday afternoon during a children's matinée, hundreds of children marched in orderly fashion from the theatre and escaped injury of any kind. Several moving picture reels caught fire in the operator's booth and someone yelled "Fire". Although there were but few adults in the place, the children quickly fell into line as they do in their school fire drill and cleared the building in a few moments. The damage done to the theatre was slight. |
Pottsville Republican of June 18, 1910 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN TO HAVE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM If the wishes of some of the councilmen of Schuylkill Haven are carried out, that town will have within the next two months, one of the most complete fire alarm systems in the state. A representative of the borough was in Pottsville yesterday looking over the system here and he stated that it was only a question of a short time before the town would be equipped. Already the town council of Schuylkill Haven have decided on the alarms for the four different wards. It is proposed to install the system, placing an indicator in each one of the four hose houses and one at the electric light plant where the fire alarm whistle is located. The boxes will be distributed equally around the town, probably three or four to each ward. These will be numbered the same as in Pottsville. Heretofore in case of fire in that town considerable time was lost on account of the inabilities of the companies to know exactly where the fire was located. Often time a fire would be discovered in one ward and the factory whistle in another ward would sound the alarm. Following the blowing of the factory whistle, the school bell would sound a general alarm. |
The Call of July 24, 1908 THE NEW FIRE COMPANY The special meeting of the Liberty Fire Company held on Monday evening at Bast's Mill was largely attended and much enthusiasm was manifested. The finance committee was authorized to get prices of fire engines both new and second hand and the building committee was directed to get costs of sites and building, all to be submitted at next meeting early in August. A statement will then be prepared and presented to the public showing exactly what the company proposes to do and the cost of everything and the public will be asked to assist in the consummation of the project. It is understood that the company has several building sites in view and may be able to secure one on the lower part of Main Street from the Reading Company. Several prominent businessmen of the ward have offered to house the apparatus free of charge until the company secures its hose house and a number of the businessmen have also offered the free use of their teams at any hour of the day or night to haul the apparatus to a fire. |
The Call of July 31, 1908 The Liberty Fire Company, in its organization and announcement of its plans has brought to the public attention the fact that the Reading Railway cuts the town in two, almost through the center, and in times of emergency, such as an alarm of fire, the district lying west of the railroad would be entirely at the mercy of the flames in the event that a long coal or freight train blocked the several crossings and much valuable time would be lost in the uncoupling of such a train to allow the fire apparatus the right of way. The traffic of the Reading is so heavy through town that much time is lost to the general public every day in being held up by the passage of trains. This brings to mind an improvement that could and should be made at the earliest opportune moment. The lay of the land is such at the Union Street crossing that the roadway could be carried through a tunnel beneath the tracks, thus saving valuable time for the public and abolishing a grade crossing and insuring the safety of the public at all times in the passage of this point. This tunnel would allow the passage of teams and pedestrians and during the nine months school term hundreds of children must travel back and forth. That no accident has happened speaks volumes for the efficiency of the crossing watchman and the erection of safety gates will lessen the danger at this point from early morning until late evening but during the hours of the night, when there is no one on guard accidents are likely to happen as has been the case within two years time. A subway would obviate all danger at all times and would save the company the expense of a watchman while it would save the public thousands of dollars worth of time. |
AN EDITORIAL |
The Call of February 6, 1914 A $6000 FIRE LOSS IN TOWN Fire Monday morning about 2:45 o'clock completely gutted the café of Douglas Kauffman and the living rooms adjoining. The ruin is complete, the entire interior of the building being gutted out to such an extent by the fire, water and smoke that it is a total wreck. The loss will be from $4000 to $6000, partly covered by insurance. The fire was discovered by Mrs. Alice Seidel, residing next door to the café. She was awakened by the smell of smoke and after arousing the household discovered flames shooting from the private Kauffman dining room. The neighbors were quickly aroused and on the scene. The family of Douglas Kauffman who reside in the Alice Kauffman property on the rear of the lot were first on the scene but the flames had already gained such headway that it was impossible to fight them with any degree of success. Mr. Samuel Kauffman, the only occupant of the café at the time of the fire, and who occupied a room on the third floor was aroused from his slumbers by the smoke. He made his escape through the smoke and flames which were rapidly eating their way to the front of the house. The Schuylkill Hose Company members residing nearby responded and quickly had a stream on the flames. The Rainbow Hose Company were also promptly on the scene and made good use of their chemical engine. By good work the fire was prevented from spreading to the Seidel property but a few feet away. Although the Seidel property was damaged and a quantity of millinery material badly water soaked, that the loss was not greater was due to the remarkable work of the firemen in this direction. The cause of the fire is given as crossed electric wires. The café had just been closed and Mr. Kauffman declares he made doubly sure of the condition of all the stoves before leaving the place, so that the fire could not have been caused by an overheated stove. Quite recently Mr. Kauffman made extensive improvements to the interior of the bar room and the several dining rooms and had the entire café fitted in a very up to date manner. As stated above the entire place is a complete wreck. Several dogs owned by Mr. Kauffman were burned to death. It is quite probable, although no definite information could be secured at this time, that as soon as the insurance companies grant permission the present building will be torn down and a modern hotel and café erected at the present site. |
The Call of June 25, 1915 FIRE ALARM WHISTLE OK A new fire whistle was placed in position on the electric light plant Wednesday and from the first tests given Wednesday the same seems to be all that is desired of a fire whistle. Reports received from different parts of town are to the effect that it could be heard very distinctly and that there is hardly any likelihood of it being mistaken for anything but a fire whistle. The present whistle like the first fire whistle is of a combination style. It being so built as to give forth the shrill and horrible siren tone and also a deep sonorous tone. The siren while not as piercing and shrill as the siren of the first whistle is many times louder and the sound therefore will carry for a much greater distance. Although it was very windy Wednesday afternoon the whistle was heard in many nearby places and inquiries were made as to the location of the fire. It was heard several miles above Friedensburg, in Orwigsburg, the famous fishing resort near "the tunnel" and in Pottsville. With a calm day or night it is confidently expected there will be no excuse for anyone in the borough being unable to hear it. The tone of the whistle which will be used to sound the wards or the location of the fire is of a deep and clear quality and much like the tone of the whistle formerly used at the Reading car shops. While the whistle will answer all purposes and requirements of a fire whistle it will also be an excellent curfew whistle and there will be no more chance or opportunity for the "kiddies" to say they did not hear the curfew. The whistle measures eight by eighteen inches whereas the old whistle was but four by twelve inches. With the placing of this new whistle to be used principally for fire purposes, ends a campaign waged by The Call for quite some time in an effort to secure a more satisfactory fire alarm whistle. At least our persistent efforts aroused the community and stirred the town council to a realization of the necessity of having a better fire whistle and the same was finally procured. The purchase of this new fire whistle we feel is a very important step in the improving of the town's fire department and the expense incident thereto will be more then repaid upon the first occasion for its being called into service. |
The Call of February 22, 1929 FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE HOME Fire and water combined to almost completely wreck the home and furnishings of M. L. Smith of Liberty Street on Wednesday morning. A stubborn chimney fire that evidently had been burning for some time before being discovered, burned itself along a brick chimney from the cellar to the attic and at places burned itself through the weather boards on the outside and the flooring on the inside of the building. Streams of water first used to extinguish the flames damaged the home and furnishings to a very considerable extent. All the walls and ceilings were water soaked. The furniture, furnishings and clothing were damaged and in many cases completely ruined by the smoke and water. Only the furniture in the dining room and kitchen escaped damage. The fire was discovered by Miss Doris Shadel, confined indoors with the measles. As she went to the second floor, she discovered smoke and immediately notified Miss Elsie Adams who was in the home. An investigation disclosed the fire. In the meantime an alarm had been sent in by John Edling who with Superintendent William Mellon,happened along in their auto and noticed the smoke issuing from the home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith were away from home. Mrs. Smith had gone to Philadelphia, having left on the flyer. Mr. Smith had left home Tuesday on his regular run on the railroad. When he arrived home Wednesday afternoon and looked at the home in its damaged condition, he was dumbfounded. The aged mother of Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Moyer, who is seventy two years of age and paralyzed, was in the home and had to be carried to a neighboring house by friends. The Schuylkill and Liberty Companies first played streams of water on the house. Chemicals were later used. The damage was estimated by Mr. Smith at between $3000 and $5000, partly covered by insurance. |
The Call of November 22, 1929 MIDNIGHT FIRE DESTROYED COAL WASHERY BUILDINGS Fire starting about the midnight hour Sunday, completely destroyed a large frame building of Lewis Holstein, together with contents, located close to the coal washery near the Columbia Hotel, Schuylkill Haven, operated by Mr. Holstein. The contents of the building, consisting of all office records, office equipment, some machinery, valuable tools, a large electric motor, and personal effects and furniture of Wilson Hollenbach, were completely destroyed or badly damaged. Shortly after the fire alarm had been sounded the location of the fire was determined by the glare in the sky and it was the opinion that either one of the industries in the South Ward or the Stoyer Garage was afire. The Liberty Fire Company promptly had a stream of water on the blaze. It was at once seen however, that the building was doomed. Despite the eighteen hour rain, the building of frame construction, burned fiercely and it was some time before the flames were completely extinguished. Firemen when they first arrived on the scene, worked in great danger from the high tension electric power lines which lead to the operation. Several of the lines were burned off at the large transformer that stood above the building. These lines dropped and narrowly escaped falling upon bystanders. The power was then cut off and the firemen continued their work. All of the fire apparatus of the three companies was on hand, together with the new fire truck from the Cressona fire company which arrived on the scene at the same time the Rainbow Hose Company truck arrived. Only the Liberty Company was put into service. Mr. Holstein states his loss will amount to several thousand dollars without any portion being covered with insurance. A large and expensive electric switch on a pole near the building was also badly damaged. A portion of the building was used as living quarters by Wilson Hollenbach, who was in his quarters at the time, but escaped without injury. Two stoves were used to heat the building but at this writing it had not been determined whether they had become overheated or not. Mr. Holstein has provided temporary quarters to be used as an office and as soon as new electric lines can be put up and connections made, operations at the coal washery will be continued. |
The Call of August 16, 1929 MILL FIRE THROWS FIFTY OUT OF WORK Fire Saturday morning at 1:30 o’clock, destroyed a portion of the Schuylkill Haven Knitting Mill on Centre Avenue and damaged almost the entire contents including stock, machinery and equipment. The fire was discovered by a passing motorist who hurried to the fire alarm box at the corner of Dock and Haven Streets. Upon the arrival of firemen, the flames were confined to the shipping department, which is located in the rear of the basement floor. There was an unusual delay in obtaining streams of water due to the difference of hose and plug connections. When connections were finally made, the Rainbow pumper unfortunately would not immediately pump. Hardly had the water been sent through two hose lines when one of them sprang a leak. These connections had been made at the plug on Centre Avenue. In the meantime the Liberty Company had made connections at a plug on Garfield Avenue and used the hose lines of the Schuylkill Hose because the Schuylkill truck is out of service. Three streams of water were played on the fire and it was under control shortly after the water was obtained. In the meantime, members of the Rainbow Hose Company were fighting hard with chemicals from a point close to the scorching flames. A bucket brigade also was formed and used water from the creek adjoining the burning building. While it was possible for the firemen to confine the flames to the shipping department for the most part, the heat and dense smoke served sufficient to ruin a number and damage the remainder of both the knitting and sewing machines on the second floor. A considerable amount of stock was also damaged by smoke and finished goods and raw material stored in the basement was ruined by water. Despite the severity of the fire, it was for the most part confined inside the building, it breaking through the weather boards at only a few points. No definite statement of loss could be made by the owners, Harry Reidler and Brother, but it is understood the same will be heavy. Insurance is carried on building and contents. This industry employs fifty persons and had been closed down for the taking of inventory. It was the intention to resume operations Monday of this week. It is likely operations will be resumed within at least three weeks time. No definite cause for the fire has been determined. During the fire, which burned for an hour or more, quite a number of sections of the fire hose burst. There was an excellent pressure of water but the unfortunate thing about it was that fate seemed intent in interfering with getting it to the scene of the fire. The hose which burst, firemen stated, had only been in service for a very short time and one or two of the sections had the appearance of never having been used. The matter of difference in connections between plugs and hose is due to the fact that the fire plugs in the North Ward are of a type no longer manufactured and the thread for the hose connection is entirely different then that required for the majority of plugs throughout the town. Special connections are required and all companies have been furnished these special connections by the borough; nevertheless to make the special connection requires additional time, so valuable at a fire. The response of the fire companies was unusually prompt despite the inconvenient hour. Firemen remained on the scene for several hours after the fire had been declared completely extinguished, this in order to prevent an outbreak. outbreak |
The Call of October 10, 1913 FIRE DAMAGES ROLLING MILL Fire Monday evening completely destroyed the oil house and the warehouse and badly damaged the main building of the Schuylkill Haven Iron and Steel Company. The loss has, up to this time, not been estimated. The plant is one that, after having been idle for several years, was three months ago started by Mr. H. Light of Lebanon, a well known and prominent iron manufacturer. About one hundred men were employed at this mill, although for the past week fifty men have been at work. A large number of these men are therefore thrown out of employment until the damage is repaired. Work of reconstructing the destroyed portions of the building will be commenced as soon as the insurance companies settle upon the loss. The fire started a few minutes before nine o’clock, having its origin in the oil house. Evidence already secured points to the fact that the oil house was deliberately set on fire. Considerable time was lost before the fire alarm was sent into the electric light plant. As soon as the alarm was given the fire companies were promptly on the scene. The Liberty Hose Company was first on the ground but on account of the very poor pressure could do very little, they being hardly able to throw the water on the roof of the building. On account of the oil stored in the oil house and its oily condition, this part of the plant was soon a mass of flames. The steamer of the Schuylkill Hose Company was taken to the fire in true city style, the drive from the engine house to the fire being made in less then two minutes. As soon as the engine arrived it was set to work pumping from a reservoir on the Steel Company’s ground. Three streams of water and a heavy chemical stream were played on the flames. It was readily seen that the portions of the building on fire could not be saved and the efforts of the firemen were directed towards saving the main building. Water was played on the fire for several hours. A large number of firemen remained on the scene over night as a precaution against further out breaking of the flames. The fire was a spectacular one. The flames reached a great height and the sky was illuminated very brilliantly. Residents of the surrounding towns were drawn by the illumination and many people from Pottsville, Cressona and Orwigsburg made a trip to town. Burgess Hartman who left the meeting of town council as soon as the first alarm was given was kept busy for several hours rounding up a number of drunken characters found in the vicinity of the fire. During the night he had six locked up in the borough lockup. In the morning no evidence could be presented or secured connecting them with the fire and they were released. During the fire it was intimated that it was the work of a fire bug and Burgess Hartman believing the allegation with the result that Tuesday morning promptly at eight o’clock, he began a rigid examination and investigation. A preliminary hearing was held in the council chamber. A score or more of witnesses and employees at the mill were questioned. Night watchman Hummel stated he was tending to his duties about the mill when he heard cries of fire and looking about saw flames coming from the oil house. He grasped a bucket of water and dashed towards the fire but at once saw that it had gained too much headway to be fought by him alone. Mr. Hummel stated that he had been in the oil house about 6:30 o’clock, and at that time a barrel containing black grease had stood on the left side going in the door. That this barrel he noticed when the alarm was given was lying down on the right side near where cotton waste was stored and the whole was a mass of flames. It was also brought out that from his position in the mill any person could enter and leave the oil house without being seen by him. He stated he had orders not to let anyone in the oil house with a lamp or light. That he had no lamp or light when he went to the oil house at 6:30. A colored gentleman by the name of Mitchell, testified that one John Steely of town, who has several times been in the meshes of the law, had made the statement to him several days ago that “In a few days there will be none of you working here.” Mitchell said to him, “It must hurt you because you were discharged.” Steely replied, “No it won’t hurt me but I know what I am doing. In a few days there will be a whole lot more of them out of there.” Charles Bell, another colored employee, testified along the same lines. He heard Steely scolding Mitchell because Mitchell was supposed to have told Steely’s aunt that he was discharged. On last Friday he distinctly heard him say, “That they should never mind, there would not be any of them working there in a few days, to mark his words as he knew what he was talking about. Another witness testified that Steely was the first man he met when he arrived at the fire. Steely in answer to a question of the Burgess of what he meant by saying there would be none of them working around, said he said, “There would be no Dutchmen working there.” Steely also said he was not discharged, that he quit of his own accord. John Gallagher, the superintendent stated that he discharged Steely last Wednesday evening for being drunk and at the time of discharging him he said, “Never mind, I will get even with youse.” That Thursday morning he came down to the mill and began bothering the men and that he, the superintendent, then ordered him off the grounds. Steely said he wanted his pay and he was told to go into the office. In being ordered out of the mill, Superintendent Gallagher said Steely remarked, “Never mind, there will be hardly any of youse around here shortly.” Upon this evidence a warrant was sworn out for Steely. Officer Butz served the same on him. He was immediately taken before Squire Moyer. There the witnesses testified to what Steely had said. Squire Moyer then committed him on suspicion of arson. Steely was taken to Pottsville shortly afterward. During the entire process, Steely appeared worried and very nervous and seemed to expect to be locked up. He will be held for criminal court, arson being a Commonwealth offense with punishment being very heavy. |
The Call of July 16, 1915 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FOUNDRY DESTROYED BY FIRE LOCAL MEN AS STOCKHOLDERS STAND TO LOSE $30,000 This town, Monday evening, was visited by the most destructive fire in years, when the “Pipe Mill” or plant of the Schuylkill Haven Foundry Company was completely destroyed entailing a loss of about $30,000. The fire was discovered about 9:30 o’clock and an alarm immediately sent in by Mrs. Harry Baker. Almost as soon as the fire was discovered it appeared to have spread over the entire plant. The fire companies responded but it was fully one half hour before a stream of water could be played upon the fiery furnace. The nearest fire plug was about two thousand feet away and on account of being necessary to use hose of the different companies with different connections, much valuable time was lost. The plant after having been idle for quite some time and the company having been reorganized, was on a fair road to meeting with success, orders for its product were being received daily. M. A. Dunlap, formerly manager of the Pottsville Casting Company, was induced to affiliate himself with the local company and under his experienced and capable managership, the plant was coming into its own. The personal loss of Mr. Dunlap will amount into thousands of dollars as all his patterns and valuable tools were destroyed. About thirty men were employed Monday, a heat had been run but Mr. Cox, the assistant manager, who inspected the entire building before going home, stated everything was safe. It is believed a spark during the day found its way to the rafters and smoldered for several hours, breaking out in a mass of flames in the evening. The fire was first discovered in the end of the building near where the cupola is located. When neighbors arrived on the scene the entire interior of the building was a mass of flames and it was with difficulty that the papers and books in the office at the opposite end of the building were rescued. Despite the fact that almost everything in the office was carried to a place of safety, many valuable papers are said to have been destroyed. A large carload of castings standing on the siding and ready to be shipped was damaged to such an extent that they will be useless. For a time it was feared that the boiler in the plant would explode but luckily the safety valve melted off and the glass tube exploded allowing all the steam to escape. Despite the efforts of the firemen, before a stream of water could be played on the building, very little stock, tools or forms could be saved. All that remains standing of the efforts of Schuylkill Haven capital to give the town a plant for the employment of men and thus be the means of effecting a boom, are the several sections of charred brick walls and a mass of twisted iron and steel. The plant which had been hoped would, especially since the reorganization two months ago, make up for the heavy loss sustained by its stock holders in the first years of its career, is now nothing but a mass of ruins and its stock holders will be required to shoulder a complete and to a certain extent a double loss. The Schuylkill haven Foundry Company is composed of the following eleven stock holders, nine of them being Schuylkill Haven men: George Saul, President; Frank Brown, Secretary; George A. Berger, Treasurer; E. H. Baker, Dr. James C. Gray, George Michel, George M. Paxson, H. D. Felix, Joseph Michel, D. D. Coldren, M. A. Dunlap. |
The Call of December 3, 1915 FIRE DESTROYS FRAME HOUSE Tuesday morning between twelve thirty and one in the morning, the frame dwelling house of Jimmy Vicciarro located on "Goat Hill" near the curve at the Mine Hill crossing, was completely destroyed by fire. The house had been vacated by an Italian family during the day and a portion of the household goods of this family still being in the house were destroyed. It is believed the fire was the work of an incendiary. There was no fire in any stove during the day and the fire when first discovered seemed to immediately spread as if fueled by oiled or gasolined material. There is said to exist a strong feeling of selfishness between the Italian families of that vicinity and the owner of the house, Jimmy Vicciarro, due to the fact that Vicciarro by hard work and thrift has been enabled to purchase several properties in the town. At the present he is confined to his home with a severe attack of illness. An investigation is to be made and state authorities may be consulted on the matter. The discovery of the fire was made by railroaders. The alarm was given by the steady blowing of the engine whistles. The alarm was soon sent to the light plant and the siren whistle was soon tumbling the residents out of bed. After a delay of fully eight minutes at the P and R street crossings, owing to their being blocked with a train and the trainmen refusing absolutely to cut the train, the Schuylkill with their auto truck finally arrived on the scene. The building however was doomed and with a stream of water nothing more could be done then extinguish the flaming walls and prevent the spread of the flames to adjoining property in a few minutes time. The Rainbow Hose Company under the direction of Mr. Luke Fisher followed a wise course by taking their apparatus to Broadway, directly across the railroad from the fire and attaching the hose to a plug. They were then in readiness for whatever fires might have broken out in that section. The sparks and embers from the burning building were carried and dropped on many houses in the vicinity and for a time apprehension was felt for the Buechley lumber yard. Careful watch was kept and not until after the fire was extinguished did the Rainbow Company rewrap its lines of hose and depart. |
The Call of November 26, 1926 BOLD ATTEMPT TO FIRE PAINT SHOP AND GARAGE A fire Sunday evening shortly before seven o’clock which did less then a dollar’s worth of business may yet produce one of the best and a real exciting piece of news. The fire occurring in the garage and paint shop of Painter Reichert, south side of Market Street, proved conclusively to be that of an incendiary and a bold and vicious attempt to cause financial loss to the owners. The fire was discovered by members of the family of Frank Sherer, residing nearby. One of the members of the family happened to notice the reflection from the flames through a rear window. The alarm was at once given and Mr. Sherer with his sons and with the use if several buckets of water extinguished the flames. The flames extinguished, it was noticed that only a very small part of the woodwork or frame of the building near the door had been burned, yet flames had leaped high and burned fiercely. On investigation it was discovered that a thick roll of paper had been saturated in gasoline and stuck between a joist and the boards. Only a part of this had been burned. A moment later an empty quart milk bottle was discovered near the door which was still wet with gasoline showing that gasoline had been brought to the scene in the milk bottle, the paper saturated with the gas and more of it poured on the wood work. The point where the fire was started is about two feet from one of the swinging doors which was left open. It was from the fact that this door was left open that the flames probably were discovered by neighbors, otherwise the wood work may have been ignited and the fire been well under way before the discovery was made. Mr. Reichert stated he carried no insurance on the building. The garage and paint shop carries a heavy stock of paints, oil and grease and also contained a touring car and truck. With the fire once underway and with a fairly good breeze blowing Sunday evening, a very disastrous fire might have resulted. All the fire companies responded but their services were not needed. Half an hour after the fire the local authorities had already begun an investigation. No less then five different persons have been required to submit to a questioning at the town hall. Suspicion rests strongly upon certain persons and with new evidence it is likely definite arrests will be made in the case. |
The Call of October 19, 1917 HOMES GUTTED BY FIRE The homes of Charles Roeder and William Sell on Columbia Street were badly gutted by fire and the contents damaged by water Thursday morning. Fire starting in a small frame kitchen close to the Roeder home quickly spread to the main building and in a short time flames were leaping from the entire rear double structure. A small portion of the household goods of both families was saved. The work of the firemen was handicapped by an insufficient water pressure. The Liberty Company was the first company to have a stream playing on the flames. It did not amount to much despite the fact that the same was being pumped from the fire plug. When the Schuylkill Hose Company arrived and attempted to pump from another plug they could not even draw a sufficient amount of water to throw a stream a foot high. This was due evidently to the small amount of water in the dam. An examination following the fire showed there was but ten pounds of pressure in the fire plug. After the delay, in which the flames gained headway, the Schuylkill engine pumped from the Schuylkill River and a strong stream of pure black water was sent through the combined lines of the Schuylkill and Rainbow Companies. The Rainbow Company in order to charge their chemical tanks had to carry water in buckets as there was not a sufficient amount of water to force through the ordinary garden hose. For a time there did not seem to be anyone to give directions to the firemen and each company chose its own method and manner of work. This is due to not having a fire chief who is employed in Schuylkill Haven and could be present at all times to direct the fire fighters. The fire alarm was sent in from Harry Schumacher’s store by George Shomper. The neighbors first discovered the fire and gave the alarm. The cause of the fire is alleged to be due to an overheated stove in the small kitchen or shanty. It is alleged the stove was closed by Mr. Roeder early in the morning and that he went to work and forgot to open the same. Mrs. Roeder was confined to her bed with consumption and she with a tiny tot were rescued just in the nick of time by Mr. Harry Schumacher and Mrs. Renninger. As Mr. Schumacher forced his way into the bedroom, which was already thick with smoke, he could dimly see the form of one of the children topple over on the floor. He grabbed at it and passed it along to Mrs. Renninger. Mr. Schumacher made for the bed and throwing a quilt about the almost exhausted form of Mrs. Roeder made his way through clouds of smoke and down a stairway that had already become ignited. She was taken to a neighbor’s home and her rescuer loudly commended for his brave act. William Sell, the occupant of the other side of the house, and a brother to Mrs. Roeder, was at work at the Saul and Zang factory. His wife was not at home and considerable of the small amount of household goods he had were destroyed or damaged by water before they could be taken out. Mr. Sell’s wife, it is understood, is ill at the home of out of town relatives. Mr. Sell when he saw the destruction and damage to his household goods was greatly overcome by emotion and persons present could not help but pity him. |
A CALL FOR HELP |
The Call of May 28, 1920 FIREWALL PREVENTS BIG LOSS A large brick firewall at the Casket Factory saved that building from possible complete destruction on Tuesday at noon. Fire starting in the boiler house would have rapidly spread to other parts of the building had it been possible for the flames to lick through or around the bricked wall. The alarm was sounded just a few minutes after the noon hour. The fire companies were soon on the scene, but unfortunately the fire plug nearest the fire refused to work. Other troubles and delays permitted the flames to gain headway. Finally the Schuylkill Hose Company had a stream playing on the fire by pumping water from the Harry Baker reservoir nearby. Had it not been for this particular supply of water the loss sustained might have been greater. The Liberty also had a stream playing on the flames by pumping from the plug at the corner of Saint Peter and Liberty Streets. The Rainbow Company used chemicals to advantage. Dense and thick clouds of smoke issued from the building but the only portion destroyed was the east side wooden portion of the boiler house and an adjoining frame building. The boilers and engines were damaged to some extent. The loss was given out as $500. The cause, due to the burning of shavings in the boiler, it being thought a spark from the boiler fell upon a quantity nearby which were to be burned. Four out of town companies came to town but their services were not required as the fire was well under control before their arrival. Evidently they were summoned by someone who feared for the destruction of the entire plant. They were the Good Will and Cressona Fire Company Number One of Cressona and the American Hose and Humane of Pottsville. The Casket Company operations will be delayed somewhat until the proper repairs can be made. The plant had just gotten into proper shape for the manufacture of caskets and it was expected by the end of this week a number of different models of caskets would have been completed and on exhibition in town. The company has a large amount of orders on hand with prospects of receiving sufficient additional orders to employ a large number of men shortly. |
The Call of February 18, 1921 LIBERTY FIRE COMPANY TO HAVE TWO AUTO TRUCKS The Bazaar and Frolic to be conducted by the Liberty Fire Company of town will be officially opened on Saturday evening, February 19th. The same will continue during all of the following week. It is planned to have a session on the afternoon of Washington’s Birthday at which time there will be a number of special attractions and features. The bazaar promises to attract many persons as there will be plenty of fun and amusement for all. The Citizen’s Band will be present on the opening evening to render music. Other musical organizations may be present during the evening on the week following. Of course the Liberty Fire Company is in need of funds and has therefore hit upon this method of procuring the same. Fire companies are generally in need of funds and the public generally liberally responds. This company on this occasion solicits the patronage of the public and sets forth their special reason for the same, in the fact that an order was recently placed for a one and a half ton fire truck. The same will be received in about two month’s time. The present motor driven apparatus is somewhat overloaded; therefore it is proposed to place the chemical engine and chemical hose upon the new truck. The old or present fire truck will be somewhat rebuilt and the present equipment of water pump and fire hose will be the better accommodated. The action of the Liberty boys will give the public additional fire equipment. It will give the town two fire trucks equipped with chemicals. These trucks will therefore be housed in, we might say, the two ends of the town, one in the North Ward, the property and recent acquisition of the Rainbow Hose Company and the other in the South Ward, that of the Liberty Company. “The Call” has for years agitated and suggested chemicals mounted on trucks so that the response could be more prompt and in order that fires could be fought in their incipiency. That the action of the fire companies is for the public welfare and protection should not be lost sight of and liberal patronage should be forthcoming on every occasion on which the fire ladies of the town ask for funds with which to pay for the equipment. This time it is the Liberty Fire Company that solicits the patronage of the public. |
The Call of March 5, 1898 THE BLEACHERY BURNED Shortly after eight o’clock Thursday evening, fire was discovered in the factory building on High Street, owned by C. H. Kline and occupied by Samuel Roland as a bleachery. The alarm was sounded and the firemen quickly responded, the Schuylkill Hose being the first to arrive, at once attached the hose and for a few minutes had two streams playing on the blazing building. They were closely followed by the Rainbows. The firemen fought bravely but were barely in time to save the entire building. Mr. Kline’s residence adjoined the burning building and for a time it was feared that it too would furnish food for the flames. Mr. Roland was in the Opera House at the time the fire was discovered. A panic was averted by the presence of mind of Manager Commings, who assured the excited audience that there was no cause for alarm as the fire was a square away. The flames started in one corner of the building on the first floor and is supposed to have been due to spontaneous combustion as there was no fire in that part of the building. The machinery was only partially destroyed. There was no insurance on either the building or the machinery. The total loss is estimated at about $2000. |
The Call of July 22, 1910 FIRE COMPANIES MERGE As forecasted in these columns last week the Rainbow Hose Company and Friendship Hook and Ladder Company by unanimous vote decided to join forces and become reincorporated under the name of the Rainbow Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania. The entire membership of both companies have joined the new one and these officers have been elected: President, Isaac Huy; Vice President, Clinton Confehr; Secretary, Luke Fisher; Financial Secretary, George H. Gerhard; Treasurer, M. F. Loy; Trustees, Edward Maberry, Clayton Eiler and Isaac Shappell. The selection of officers shows a very fair proportion of the members of both companies and is an evidence of the very cordial relations that exist between the members of the two organizations. The new company will take over all the property and will assume the debt (less than $1000) of the Friendship Company. The Rainbow Company had no debt. The new company will retain the Rainbow Hose House and will retain all the apparatus of both companies, there being ample room to house both and plenty of members to man every machine in case of fire. It is hinted too that the Rainbows will make provisions for hauling their apparatus, especially the chemical engine, by horses; but the members decline, at this time, to say anything about their plans. The Friendship Hose house and lot will be offered for sale and The Call repeats its suggestion that the property be secured for school purposes. The hose house can be used for some time to come as a school room and will very materially aid in relieving the present congested condition of the public schools. At a later date, after a new central high school building has been erected, the ground will be available for the erection of an addition to the present modern building. |
The Call of January 13, 1911 SLIGHT FIRE – Eating House of Mrs. P. J. Worts Gutted Prompt Work of Neighbors Prevents Serious Conflagration Bystanders Get Ducking Fire Tuesday noon gutted the eating house of Mrs. P. J. Worts and caused considerable excitement. The alarm was promptly given and the fire companies responded but their services were hardly necessary as a bucket brigade, which was formed, after strenuous work, succeeded in gaining control and put out the flames. Had the fire occurred Monday during the high wind the entire block of stables and the underwear mill of D. D. Coldren, next adjoining, would surely have been burnt to the ground. While preparing an order on a gas stove for several customers, the attendant was called to another part of the room for a minute or two and upon her return found the kitchen a mass of flames. The fat from the utensil in which the food was being prepared boiled over and ignited the gas and the flames immediately communicated with the surrounding woodwork. The loss is estimated at about $1,100, partly covered with insurance. An amusing occurrence at this fire was the drenching of a large number of bystanders who stationed themselves in the front of the building. The Schuylkill Hose Company, working from the rear with a stream, accidentally threw it over the roof of the building with the result of promptly scattering the crowd in front. A number who could not reach safety in time were drenched. . |
The Call of September 10, 1926 EARLY MORNING LABOR DAY FIRE Fire at four o’clock Monday morning completely destroyed the contents of the store of Reuben Hoffman on Wilson Street and gutted the frame building to such an extent that it is worthless. When discovered, the flames had gained very considerable headway and before water could be thrown on it the building was a mass of flames. Little if any of the contents could be taken from the building. Stock to the amount of three thousand dollars was destroyed. It consisted of motorcycle parts, confectionery, tobacco, etc. Mr. Hoffman states his stock was covered by insurance. The building owned by Mr. Thomas Silliman was not covered by insurance. The rear and the sides of the building are burned so badly that it is likely the entire building will have to be pulled down. The frame garage and shop of Contractor Obenhouse adjoining was somewhat damaged by flames eating through the west side of the building. A large quantity of weather stripping and lumber, together with Mr. Obenhouse’s automobile were removed. Valuable machinery in the building however, was soaked with water and may be somewhat damaged. Mr. Obenhouse however carried insurance. Two streams of water were played on the burning structure and in a short time had the fire extinguished. Two valuable hunting dogs left in the building overnight were burned to death. A third hound however escaped uninjured. The dog evidently had been enabled to crawl under a protection of some kind against both the flames and smoke. When the fire had partially subsided, the dog came after being called by the owner. Mr. Hoffman states the building was locked up about eleven o’clock and he had made sure that everything was okay before leaving. The cause of the fire will remain a mystery. mystery. |
The Call of May 22, 1925 FIRE DESTROYED AUTO AND GARAGE Fire Friday evening completely destroyed a Ford auto truck, some furniture and the frame stable on the rear of the property of William Roeder of Canal Street. The fire was discovered at nine o’clock Friday evening. In an instant the building was a mass of flames. The reflection in the sky could be seen from all parts of the town shortly after the alarm was sounded. This gave the impression that the fire was a big one and sent the fire companies to the scene with all possible speed and caused large numbers of people from the far parts of the town to gather. Water was played on the building and that of Harry Schumacher adjoining, by the Liberty and Rainbow Hose companies. The Schuylkill Hose Company was delayed in getting into action with a stream of water as none could be pumped from the plug for a time. Chemicals were played on the buildings and the surrounding stables and sheds to prevent the fire from spreading. By reason of their close proximity to the Walkin Shoe Factory and the Lebanon Paper Box Company plant, the timely discovery of the fire and getting it under control almost immediately prevented what might have been a very disastrous conflagration had the flames communicated to these buildings. The Ford auto truck of Mr. Roeder was completely destroyed. A quantity of household goods belonging to William Schumacher and stored in the second story of the building was destroyed. The building adjoining the Roeder property in which the several cars of H. Schumacher and Brothers were stored was somewhat damaged. All the machines were removed in safety. The loss will amount to several hundreds of dollars. The cause of the fire remains unknown. It is said that children of the neighborhood were preparing to burn a cross Friday or Saturday evening and in trying out the material, the flames communicated with gas and in an instant were beyond control. A futile attempt was made by the youngsters to extinguish the fire by carrying water from a nearby pond. |
The Call of May 29, 1925 SLIGHT FIRE HERE SATURDAY EVENING Fire, in the heart of the business section of Schuylkill Haven, Saturday evening caused quite a bit of excitement and damage to the extent of three or four thousand dollars. Fire was discovered in one of the frame stables at the rear of the property of P. T. Hoy. It is believed to have started in the portion occupied by the Wenrich Battery Station. When the firemen arrived they were handicapped somewhat by the dense smoke which was caused by the character of the goods stored in the unoccupied part of the building. Three streams of water and chemicals were used. Water was played for almost three quarters of an hour before Chief Schumacher declared all signs of a fire extinguished. Considerable damage was done to the equipment in the Wenrich Battery Station. Firemen, despite the fact that everyone was attired in his Saturday or Sunday best clothing, worked in a pouring rain following the fire and many were drenched to the skin and had their clothing ruined. |
The Call of June 11, 1892 A MIDNIGHT BLAZE – Lautenbacher and Company’s Underwear Factory Badly Damaged On Friday night at about 11:30, as Will Bast, who is doing duty as call boy at the P and R “J” telegraph office, rounded Murphy’s corner from Main into Saint Peter Street, an odor of smoke reached his nostrils, and he promptly proceeded to investigate. He had not gone far before he saw a small flame dart from one of the windows of Lautenbacher and Company’s underwear factory and at once he began to yell “fire”. At the same time a dance was being held in the Washington Hall. The music for a waltz had just closed and “The Call” scribe and several others were gazing at the weeping skies when suddenly a dense cloud of smoke met their gaze and a faint cry of “fire” reached their ears. Without waiting to hear or see more they rushed out in their ball room attire in the pouring rain and by their vociferous cries soon had the firemen running to their headquarters and the bells and whistles making enough din to wake the dead. The Schuylkill Hose Company, whose house is near the scene of the fire, were first to play on the burning building. They had two good streams on the blaze. The Rainbow Hose Company arrived soon after and the two companies did effective work. Had it not been for the heavy rainfall no doubt the whole building would have succumbed to the flames. As it was, only a part was destroyed and the machinery damaged by smoke and water. The loss amounts to about $1500. There was no insurance on the building and only two thirds on the machinery, which is valued at $5000. Many theories are advanced as to the origin of the fire. Some think it of incendiary origin, others from the heat of the engine and still some that the lightning caused it. |
The Call of January 5, 1895 HOSE HOUSE DEDICATION – The Rainbow Hose Company of Town in Its New Home The Rainbow Hose Company Number One, of Schuylkill Haven, dedicated their new hose house Wednesday with appropriate ceremonies. The building was beautifully decorated and resplendent with starry emblems. The ceremonies consisted of a banquet, during which the following made addresses: Dr. H. N. Coxe, Dr. C. Lenker, Ed Sterner, A. A. Hesser and humorous John Bowman. The banquet took place in the parlors of the hose house and about 150 persons participated. Samuel Bausman, the North Ward politician, kept the party bubbling over with laughter with his effervescent wit. Eiler’s orchestra contributed to the pleasures by rendering a number of choice selections. The new house is located on Spring Garden Street, near the P. R. R. depot and is an ornament to the town. It is a two story brick structure with a turreted mansard roof and brown stone trimmings. The building is a model of architectural beauty and symmetry and will compare with any structure of the kind in the interior of the state. The company was organized about nine years ago and kept their apparatus in a stable. For two years after the company became chartered, the members had a regular meeting place. Then came a financial crisis and the company had a hard struggle for existence. Meetings after that were held at the homes of the members, but the company bravely overcame its financial troubles and the dedication last evening was the happy sequel of its early struggles against adverse fate. The company now numbers about one hundred members and is in excellent financial condition. It is the purpose of the company to hold a fair in the near future and furnish the building out of the proceeds. Every member of the company deserves unstinted praise for their energetic work in giving the town such a model building as that dedicated last evening and it goes without saying that the citizens will feel a sense of security with such a company as the Rainbow in their midst to fight smoke and flame. The Building Committee consisted of E. E. Mayberry, Chairman; Henry Keiber, Secretary; Luke Fisher, Treasurer and John F. Bader and John Berger. |
The Call of January 12, 1895 HOSE HOUSE DEDICATED The memorable event on New Year’s Day in town was the modest dedication and formal possession of the beautiful and convenient hose house of the Rainbow Hose Company’s building by its members. We have taken pains to inquire just what the boys accomplished and their lot and building complete costs them the sum of $4500, not including the labor of the members, who by their own hands made the entire excavation for the cellar and brought eighty five perches of stones to the yard, which were kindly donated by the P and R Company through Mr. E. F. Smith, the courteous engineer of the canal department. Together with their hose carriage, thus far they have had the expense of $5500. Out of this amount, the hose company, by their determination and unbounded energy aided by the generosity of our liberal hearted citizens from one end of the borough to the other, have raised just $3500, leaving therefore an indebtedness of $2000, not such a large amount in view of the splendid showing the company has to offset it. The members are not modest in expressing their thanks to our citizens for their generous and continued assistance, more especially the ladies of the borough, and we feel justified in asserting that at any hour of the day or night, through all seasons, should our homes be menaced by the fiend fire, the Rainbow Hose Company will cheerfully and speedily respond with their best efforts. The building is of brick. The front of pressed brick and brown stone trimmings, two and a half stories high, with ceilings in the clear. On the northeast corner is the bell tower at a height of forty seven feet, while opposite on the southeast end is an ornamental tower, just three feet less in height. The main room on the ground floor is bright and roomy, twenty five feet by forty seven feet and can be divided off by partition doors, thus making two commodious rooms when required. On the second floor is the parlor, twenty five by thirty feet, with the reception room in the rear divided by folding doors. The wainscoting downstairs is yellow pine hard finish, while the upper part is in cypress hard finish. The second floor also contains a commodious bathroom, together with an equipment room. All in all we take pride and pleasure in saying to the Rainbow boys, “Well done.” The fixtures on the main doors on the ground floor are ingenious and we might say costly and worthy of examination. While the doors are securely locked, the simple raising of a simple hand lever unlocks the two ponderous doors and throws them wide open for a quick run of the carriage. Only on the proceeding evening the company decided upon a festival, but notwithstanding the short time, the ladies had prepared a most elegant table. Dr. H. N. Coxe opened the speaking and after well timed remarks, presented the company with a beautiful picture. Dr. Lenker was the second orator and his address was of a most encouraging nature. Mr. A. A. Hesser followed with a description of running the machine in town a quarter century ago and Mr. Sterner next rendered a beautiful patriotic discourse. The band of professor Eiler rendered their usual elegant program of music and the entertainment long to be remembered was closed for the evening by Mr. John Bowman, in a recitation in Pennsylvania Dutch which sent the large gathering home dreaming of spooks and poison. The energetic President, Mr. Fisher, cordially invites all the citizens of town to pay them a visit in their new home at any time and often where they will always be welcome. |
The Call of March 12, 1926 BUNGALOW BURNED AT WILLOW LAKE Fire, between 1:30 and 2:00 Monday morning, completely destroyed the Hay bungalow situated near Willow Lake. The contents of the bungalow were also completely destroyed as it was impossible to remove any article as the entire building was a roaring furnace very shortly after the fire was discovered. Mrs. Gilbert, who resides nearby, first discovered the flamers and immediately telephoned the alarm. Although outside the borough limits, all companies of the department responded, and there were six pieces of fire apparatus lined up along the Killian Dam. Upon arrival the firemen could do nothing more then prevent the flames from communicating to other nearby buildings. Holes had to first be chopped into the ice over the Killian Dam before the suction hose could be used. The three companies began work of this kind with the intention of putting the three pumps into operation. The three pumps were started within a minute or two of one another. However the Rainbow boys and the Schuylkill Company had hard luck, each bursting a section of hose as soon as the pressure was turned on. The Liberty Company had better luck and was the first company to have continuous stream of water on the flames. Another stream of water was played on the burning building later. The intense heat of the bungalow which burned like tinder badly scorched the home of George Coover on the opposite side of the street. Windows in this home were also broken by the heat. Mr. Hay, the owner, is a painter and resides in Pottsville. He was at the bungalow Sunday afternoon but cannot account for the fire. He intends rebuilding the bungalow. Shortly after the siren whistle gave the alarm the sky was brilliantly illuminated with the flames and the reflection could be seen from all parts of town. Despite this fact only an unusual small number of persons were spectators. |
The Call of January 7, 1916 FIRE THURSDAY EVENING DAMAGED MCCORD HOME CAUSED BY DRAPERIES COMING IN CONTACT WITH LAMP IN UPSTAIRS ROOM Fire last night, about nine o’clock, completely demolished the contents of a sleeping room in the home of Benjamin McCord in the West Ward and together with water did considerable damage to several other rooms in the house. The origin of the fire is supposed to have been caused by draperies coming in contact with an oil lamp left burning low in the room which quickly communicated to the ceiling and furnishings. It appears that no one was in that part of the dwelling at the time of the fire as the daughters of Mr. McCord were visiting at the home of a brother just a short distance from their home. Mr. McCord was at work on the railroad. The fire was discovered by a Miss Feeney who quickly sent in an alarm from the Stanton residence. A bucket brigade was hastily organized and did splendid work until the arrival of the fire department. The Rainbow Hose Company with their chemical apparatus confined the fire to one room and in a short time had the flames extinguished. The Schuylkill Hose Company responded with full paraphernalia but did not use the same. The home has but recently been papered and painted throughout and also refurnished. While the fire only consumed the one room, considerable damage was done by water and chemicals. The loss is estimated at $500. $500. |
The Call of June 9, 1916 LIGHTNING FIRES BAST MILL During the storm of Saturday evening last, lightning struck the power wire at the Bast Underwear mill and entered the building. It is supposed to have then ignited a fuse and the fuse dropping down in turn ignited ninety dozen union suits valued at $171. No one was in the factory at the time. The fire was first discovered by Mrs. Elmer Schwartz residing across the street. She discovered the smoke and immediately sounded an alarm. Harry Coldren, a neighbor, heard the cries of Mrs. Schwartz and breaking down a door of the mill, entered. He fought his way through dense smoke to the fire extinguisher and then to the seat of the fire. In the meantime someone turned in a general alarm with the result that all of the fire companies responded. Fortunately their services were not required. The loss to the goods and the building will amount to between three and four hundred dollars. A bolt of lightning also struck a small unoccupied building in the vicinity of the rolling mill but did slight damage. The United Telephone Company had no less then ten phones placed out of service while several of the Bell Company also suffered. |
The Call of May 31, 1912 EARLY MORNING FIRE Fire Tuesday morning about 3:30 o'clock completely destroyed the double frame P and R company house on "Goat Hill" occupied by Angelo Peleezo and family on one side and Sylvia Peleezo on the other. But very little of the household goods of either family were saved. On account of the local electric plant being connected with but one phone, the alarm which was sent in by residents of the West ward had to first be relayed before the employee of the plant could be notified to give the alarm. When the siren was finally blown the entire building was a mass of flames. The fire companies quickly responded and despite their being handicapped in getting to the fire did good work when they were finally upon the scene in preventing the adjoining buildings from catching fire. The Rainbow Hose Company attaching a line of hose at the plug in the West Ward could not reach the fire and several sections of hose from one of the other companies had to be procured. The Liberty Hose Company and the Schuylkill Hose Company connected a line on the last plug on Berne Street making two streams. The Liberty chemical engine did effective service. The cause of the fire nor a definite amount of the loss could not be ascertained from the Peleezo people. |
The Call of May 24, 1901 LIGHTNING'S TERRIFIC WORK The Baker Stable and Carriage House Struck During Saturday's Storm Timely Discovery of Fire in the Baker Underwear Mill During the storm on Saturday evening last, lightning struck the two story frame stable and carriage house belonging to E. H. Baker, on the alley immediately across from his underwear mill and played havoc with the structure. The building which was erected only two years ago is pretty badly damaged and it will require a general overhauling to render the upper part of it fit for use. The bolt of lightning appears to have entered the building at the northwest corner of the second floor, splintering the corner post into match wood and forcing out the weather boarding. Passing into the interior, it followed the sides of the second floor, splintering the posts at each corner, forcing out the weather boarding and twisting the upper part of the building. Emerging at the northeast corner the bolt passed downward, ripping off a door on the first floor. Remarkable to state, the electric fluid passed through a pile of hay on the second floor without igniting the materials. The damage to the building which is estimated at about $175, is fully covered by insurance. About the same time that the bolt struck the stable, fire was discovered by the boiler house in the mill, but was promptly extinguished by Mr. Baker's son with a chemical fire extinguisher. The lightning apparently followed an iron pipe in the mill to a point near the engine, where it ignited the oil soaked floor. Its timely discovery undoubtedly prevented a most disastrous conflagration, as the mill is fitted with expensive machinery and contains a large and valuable assortment of finished underwear, ready for the market. It is believed the bolt followed the electric light wires to a pole near the mill, where owing to the absence of ground wire conductors, it glanced off into the nearby buildings. An incandescent light bulb in the Baker residence was also shattered by the bolt. Daniel Snyder, residing on Williams street, just below the Baker premises, was considerably stunned by the bolt and had one of his arms lamed for the time being. In another nearby house on Williams Street the lightning danced a jig in the open doorway, but switched off without any damage. |
The Call of June 14, 1901 BLAZE ON SUNDAY EVENING REDUCES FOUR BUILDINGS TO ASHES Property of William F. Doherty - Flames Spread Rapidly Fire Companies Do Heroic Work - Loss Estimated at $1100 The stillness of the Sabbath, in this place was disturbed last Sunday evening shortly before five o'clock by a disastrous fire, which for a rime caused the greatest excitement. Four buildings, the property of William F. Doherty, the paper box manufacturer of town, with much of their contents were consumed by the flames. The fire, occurring as it did on a Sunday evening, just at supper time and when everybody was in their best clothes, could not have happened at a much more unfavorable time. The origin of the fire is a complete mystery, but various theories are advanced as to the probable cause. No one was known to have been in the buildings when the fire started. The buildings were located in the upper part of town on the alley running parallel with and between Union and Main Streets. The flames started in the upper part of the warehouse used for storage of straw board and were first discovered by Mrs. William Auchenbach from the rear yard of her home on Main Street. In the upper part of the building hay was stored and owing to the inflammability of the material the flames spread with remarkable rapidity and had gained considerable headway before assistance came in response to the alarm sounded. The flames first communicated with the stable on the opposite side of the alley and a minute later the adjoining stable was also on fire. Adjoining the later stable stood a large wagon shed which also took fire. The fire companies were very prompt in their response to the call but upon their arrival the buildings were a mass of flames and it was seen were doomed to destruction. The firemen turned their efforts to saving the nearby buildings, the preservation of which was due to their gallant work. The large box works adjoining the building on the west side in which the fire started, stood in the greatest danger and it was feared it was doomed. Fortunately, the wind blew in the opposite direction. The first persons to arrive on the scene, among whom was Charles Doherty, brother of the proprietor, rescued the livestock from the stables and ran out the wagons and carriages, all of which were saved. Three horses, a cow and calf were in the buildings when the fire started. In the warehouse was stored about twenty tons of straw board used in the manufacture of paper boxes and this, with two sets of double harness, four sets of single harness, two new plows, and other agricultural implements stored in the other buildings were destroyed. There was very little hay or grain in the buildings. Mr. Doherty estimates his loss at $1100, the loss of the straw board alone amounting to $600. The loss is covered by insurance to the amount of $550 in the West Chester and Achen companies. Mr. Doherty informed a Call representative that he would commence the erection of a single commodious building at once to replace those destroyed. He has been doubly unfortunate in losing his buildings at this time, in as much that he is now without a place to store his grain, which is ripening in the fields of his surrounding farm. Mr. Doherty was in one of his fields some distance from the buildings when the fire started. Mr. Doherty wishes to extend his thanks to the fire companies and all persons who assisted in any manner in the protection of his property. |
The Call of August 16, 1901 KNITTING MILL SET ON FIRE Terrific Storm Waged Over Town for Nearly Two Hours Saturday Night The most terrific storm that has visited this vicinity for many years waged furiously for nearly two hours last Saturday night. Blinding flashes of lightning, terrible clashes of thunder accompanied by a tremendous downpour of rain caused not a few of our citizens to become terror stricken. The storm broke forth about seven o'clock and with each lull, a succeeding storm would occur with even greater violence. It seemed as if the storms had combined to wreak their fury over this place. At E. H. Baker's knitting mill a bolt of lightning followed the electric wires running from a nearby pole and entering the mill set cotton waste near the ceiling on fire. Herbert Baker, son of the proprietor of the mill, discovered the flame and with the use of a patent chemical apparatus soon had the fire extinguished. The Schuylkill Hose Company responded to the alarm sounded but their services were not required. A bolt also struck John Palsgrove's residence at the corner of Saint John and Williams Streets and demolished the chimney. Throughout almost the entire town the electric light fuses were blown out and business houses and residences were left in darkness. In the exchange of the Schuylkill Telephone Company, the fuses were blown out and every phone disable. Balls of fire followed the trolley wire through the streets while the storm raged and the fire seemed to fly in all directions. Main Street was turned into a veritable roaring torrent from curb to curb, so heavy was the rainfall. Trolley traffic, of course, had to be discontinued until the storm cased. Some of our oldest residents remarked it was one of the fiercest, if not the most terrific storm, they ever witnessed. During the progress of the storm great excitement prevailed at the County Home and the officials were required to work hard to avoid a panic among the inmates of the institution. |
The Call of April 30, 1892 A SLIGHT FIRE On Wednesday afternoon, about four o’clock, the roof of the engine house of Berger, Brown and Company’s shoe factory caught fire through the smokestack becoming too hot. The damage was slight, the Schuylkill Hose Company was promptly on the ground but the flames had already been extinguished by the employees. The Rainbow Hose Company, who are at the extreme end of town, came thundering in a few minutes later, back of Uncle Dan Byerly’s team, while George Rauch, with a big load of the boys, followed close behind. |
The Call of November 5, 1892 FIRES Last Saturday evening the town was thrown into a state of excitement when a glaring light lit up the overclouded heaven and flames could be seen striking up above the hill to the north of town. It was learned that the barn of ex-Poor Director Daniel Reichert had taken fire and was being consumed by the fiery element without any hope of saving it or any of the surrounding buildings. The barn contained the crops of a season’s earnest toll as well as horses and cattle and farming implements. The former were consumed but the horses and cattle and wagons, etc. were nearly all saved. The fire is supposed to have been caused by a spark from a passing engine on the Pennsylvania Railroad. A high wind was blowing at the time which rendered all efforts to save the buildings vain. On Monday morning the town was again thrown into a state of excitement by an alarm of fire. The kitchen of David Lloyd, more commonly known as “Kelley” Lloyd, caught fire between the tin and shingles on the roof of it. A large number of people gathered at the scene and a small hose was attached to the hydrant near by and in twenty minutes the fire was under control. The Schuylkill Hose Company’s members were on hand but their services were not needed. The damage to the building was very slight. The family was building a new fire in the stove when the flames were communicated to the roof. |
The Call of April 25, 1896 A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE On Monday morning, about 4:15, the town was aroused by the dreadful alarm of fire, followed by the ringing of the fire alarm (the school bell). In short order the Rainbow and Schuylkill Hose Companies were on the ground, but owing to the fact that the fire started in a barn, amongst the most inflammable material, it spread so rapidly as to envelop the whole building and ignited the dwelling of the cash butcher, Mr. Kinzel on Canal Street below Columbia which was in close proximity before the fire laddies reached the scene. The Schuylkill Hose Company soon had two streams on and soon after the Rainbow arrived and assisted nobly in the mad fight against the enraged flames, which had spread to the dwellings owned by Henry Kantner and Charles Kantner. On account of the water supply coming through an eight inch main, the force with three streams, was not strong enough to be very effective against so fierce a blaze; but the heroic boys of the fire department worked with courage undaunted and within less than an hour the fire on the three buildings was under control, but not before the almost total destruction of the four buildings. The fire originated by the falling of a lantern which Mr. Kinzel was using in the barn, the breaking of which ignited the coal oil in the straw and was immediately beyond control. Mr. William L. Weissinger owned the house and barn in rear. The loss of Henry and Charles Kantner was total and these hard working citizens have the sympathy of the community. |
The Call of July 24, 1897 LIGHTNING CAUSES FIRE Last Sunday morning at one o’clock, lightning struck the Pennsylvania Railroad station over the telephone wire and set the ticket office on fire. Only through the timely discovery of the fire was the building saved. A large number of tickets were destroyed, also a lot of stationery and books were burned and rendered unfit for use. Nearly everything in the office was more or less damaged by fire and water. Owing to the heavy downpour of rain, the Rainbow Hose Company could not be called out and the agent and his daughters and Mr. Foulkes, who is a heroic fireman in New York City, had to put the fire out themselves.. |
The Call of August 2, 1901 CHURCH STEEPLE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING During the heavy storm of Wednesday morning the steeple of Saint Ambrose Catholic Church was struck by a bolt of lightning and set on fire. The blaze was discovered by James Marton, sexton of the church, who sounded the alarm by ringing the church bell. The Rainbow Hose Company responded promptly and by hard work got the hose on the roof and in the steeple of the church. The flames could be played on from this position and were easily extinguished. Great excitement prevailed in the vicinity for a time. The damage was very slight. |
The Call of May 16, 1902 SLIGHT FIRE The residence of Gideon Nice on North Main Street narrowly escaped being destroyed by fire. Some rags in the sewing room became lodged under the edge of the heating pipe and when a fresh fire was started the pipe became so hot that the rags caught fire and when Mrs. Nice, who noticed the smoke, went to the room, the carpet and floor was a mass of flames. She hastily gave the alarm and several neighbors, by promptly forming a bucket brigade and by using a garden hose, subdued the flames, but not before considerable damage to the house by both fire and water had been done. Had the fire been discovered ten minutes later it would have been beyond control. |
The Call of January 17, 1908 WIRES CROSS AT SPRING GARDEN Last evening at Spring Garden in the neighborhood of Crossley's store, one of the borough's electric light wires broke and fell across the wires of the United Telephone and Telegraph Company resulting in the burning out of the telephone service and quite a considerable amount of damage. A small boy who was standing on the pavement where a live wire dropped was struck by the wire and knocked down. His trousers and one of his limbs were badly burned. In the exchange, the fire flashed all over the switch board and the various connections and the operator, Lewis Emerich, had one of his fingers badly burned. |
The Call of June 19, 1903 ALMSHOUSE FIRE - Explosion of a Lamp Places Hundreds of Lives in Jeopardy The explosion of a coal oil lamp in the basement of the main building at the Almshouse on Wednesday evening at 9:20 o'clock resulted in a fire that did $5000 worth of damage and for a time menaced the lives of the two hundred people that occupy the structure. The flames gutted the main part of the basement and the rear of the first floor broke through the second floor in several places and went up the stairway to the third floor. The fourth and fifth floors were untouched. Immediately upon the discovery of the fire the Almshouse officials got the inmates out of the building and distributed them among the other buildings while the employees sounded the alarm and proceeded to fight the fire with the appliances which were at hand. The rainbow and Schuylkill Hose Companies of town arrived promptly on the scene and through their efforts the fire was finally extinguished after midnight. About one half the loss is on the building, which is amply insured, the other half is on personal property of the steward, employees and inmates who occupied the structure. |
The Call of June 24, 1904 DISASTROUS FIRE - Destroyed Ed H. Borda's Barn and A Lot of Hay Started in a Worthless Wrecked Ice House and Menaced The Safety of the P & R Car Shops Late Saturday afternoon fire destroyed the old ice house owned by William Breininger and the stable occupied by Edward H. Borda and somewhat damaged the residence of William Bachert. The fire broke out in the ruins of the ice house which was wrecked by a wind storm more then a year ago. The ice house was located along side of the old canal level and along side of the trolley tracks. It is supposed some boys who had been fishing in the vicinity accidentally fired the ice house while lighting their pipes. No attention was paid to the fire until it began to menace the P & R car shops on the other side of the level, when Superintendent Runkle called his men out to fight the flames. In the meantime a blazing ember was carried by the wind to the roof of Borda's stable, more then a square away, and before anything could be done to quench the flames they had eaten their way through the roof and communicated with a mow full of hay almost instantly enveloping the barn in a mass of flames. William Wessner, who had gone into the mow in an effort to get on the roof and prevent the fire getting through, was compelled to jump from the mow to the ground to escape the flames. The Rainbow Fire Company was quickly on the scene and while powerless o save the fiercely blazing barn, prevented the destruction of other property. The Schuylkill Hose Company also responded to the alarm but did not go into service. Breininger's ice house was practically worthless, except for a little lumber that might have been used in rebuilding it. Borda's barn was the property of the Schuylkill Navigation Company and was a substantial structure worth about $2500. Mr. Borda lost five tons of hay and William Strouse who also kept his horse in the barn lost about a ton of hay. A lot of harness and several sleighs and buggies were saved. The horses were all at work at the time of the fire. A horse belonging to William G. Huy was being temporarily stabled there when the fire broke out but it was gotten to a place of safety without much difficulty. Last Saturday night the ruins of the ice house again broke out and Superintendent Runkle had to call upon the shop hands to quench the flames to save the shops from destruction. Trolley traffic was for a time at a standstill owing to the close proximity of the ice house to the tracks and the fact that the fire destroyed some of the feed wires and guy poles. |
LAST UPDATED: MAY 15 |
The Call of June 29, 1906 HOUSE BURNED Late Wednesday afternoon John Barr's large two story frame house on his farm about a mile west of Schuylkill Haven on the Long Run Road was totally destroyed by fire. A six year old boy, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Barr, was rescued by the father from the flames. Only a few of the household goods were saved. The loss is about $3000 and is partially covered by insurance. Mrs. Barr had put the little boy to bed for a nap and started to preserve some cherries. The fruit had been put in a large boiler over the kitchen range and a fire of corn cobs started beneath the kettle. While waiting for the fruit to cook Mrs. Barr went out with her husband to pick more cherries. Shortly afterwards they were alarmed by seeing a dense volume of smoke burst from the kitchen door. By the time they reached the house the kitchen and entire lower floor were in flames. The father scaled the porch, broke in a second story window and rescued his boy just in the nick of time. As it was, the little fellow had his eyebrows singed and the father was painfully but not seriously burned. It is believed the kettle of preserves boiled over and caught fire and the boiling mass ran on the floor setting the house afire. |
The Call of September 19, 1913 STABLE SET ON FIRE Tuesday evening about eleven o'clock, fire was discovered in the stable of John Noecker in the south ward. Before the alarm was given the stable was a mass of flames and very little of the contents of the stable was saved. A horse valued at $200, a quantity of hay, straw, feed and a buggy were burned. When the fire companies arrived the stable was a total loss. A stream of water however was played on the burning embers to prevent the fire from spreading to surrounding buildings. For a time it was thought either one or two well known characters of town had perished in the flames but this later was found to be untrue. It is strongly intimated that the stable must have been set on fire as the flames when discovered were shooting from the bottom of the stable from all sides. A quiet investigation is being made but it is doubtful whether the guilty parties will be apprehended. The loss will amount to more than $500. |
The Call of July 4, 1913 STABLE DESTROYED BY FIRE Fire, starting about two o'clock Tuesday morning, completely destroyed the two story 18 by 24 foot stable of Albert Reiley of Dock Street. The stable was used as a storage house and contained coal, wood, tools, etc. The unusual barking of dogs aroused one of the neighbors who thought perhaps someone was after the chickens. Coming downstairs they discovered the stable nearly all in flames. An engine in the P and R yards gave the first alarm, followed shortly thereafter by the regular fire alarm. The entire fire department responded in good time but the fire at the stable was beyond control when the first stream, that of the Rainbow Hose company, was thrown on it and the firemen endeavored to save the surrounding buildings and stables. Had there been but the slightest breeze, a serious conflagration would surely have resulted as there are a number of buildings almost adjoining the building burned. The origin or cause of the fire is unknown although it is strongly hinted as being caused by incendiarism. The loss is about $300, not covered by insurance. Several large fruit trees near the stable were also destroyed by the flames. |
The Call of February 22, 1877 This article appeared in the February 7, 1913 issue of the Call recalling events from the issue of February 22, 1877, sarcasm included. FIRE Between nine and ten o'clock last Saturday evening, the community was startled by the cry of, "Fire", which was occasioned by a ham falling into the fire in the smokehouse of Mr. Ehman, the Main Street baker. This produced a vast deal o smoke but not much fire and consequently very little damage. However, it caused considerable excitement and drew out a large crowd, together with the incomparable Fire Department? (Namely the department we met at the corner of Saint John and Main Street about half an hour after the fire was out and the excitement quelled enroute to the place from where originated the cry of fire. Had no one told them that all was over, they might possibly have gotten the apparatus in the vicinity of the post office in time to send it by mail at nine o'clock the next morning. |
The Call of September 20, 1912 SLIGHT FIRE SATURDAY A slight fire occurred at the home of a party by the name of Potts on Liberty Street early Saturday morning last. The fire was discovered by several neighbors who gave the alarm. There being no person in the home at that time, the door had to be pried open. The fire was discovered on the stair steps. A few buckets of water extinguished the blaze. Had the fire in its incipiency not been discovered, a serious conflagration might have resulted. The loss will amount to several hundred dollars. Mr. Potts feels his loss very keenly, as at this time his wife is a patient at the Pottsville Hospital. Mr. Potts is employed at the P and R car shops. The fire alarm brought the fire department into action but they were ordered back before they reached the scene. |
The Call of December 6, 1912 EARLY MORNING FIRE Fire early Saturday morning completely destroyed the two story frame building at the Foundry Company works just south of Schuylkill Haven. The building destroyed contained the cupola, the elevator and several other small machines. The fire was discovered by one of the employees about 1:30 o’clock . The alarm was immediately sent in and the hose companies responded, but owing to an indistinct alarm they were delayed somewhat. When they arrived they could not lend assistance in fighting the fire as there are no borough fire plugs in the immediate vicinity to which they could attach hose. The Schuylkill Hose Company put into operation their fire engine and pumped water from a good sized ditch near the building with telling effect upon the fire. The Liberty chemical engine rendered good service also. When the ditch was emptied, the work of the firemen was at an end but the fire was practically extinguished. Had it not been for several lines of small hose attached to the foundry company’s water system and used by employees, a more serious conflagration would have resulted, as it was through their efforts that the flames were prevented from communicating to other parts of the building. The loss is estimated at from $1000 to $1200, covered by insurance. |
The Call of December 13, 1912 SLIGHT FIRE A slight fire on Saturday afternoon called out the entire fire department. The scene of the fire was the home of Joseph Barr in the West Ward. The Rainbow chemical engine was used with good effect and quenched the flames. A bucket brigade headed by “Mox” Hill rendered invaluable service prior to the arrival of the fire department. The fire was caused by a spark from a bonfire alighting on the roof of the house. The fire alarm was sent in through the vigilance of Master James Lessig of Dock Street , who seeing the smoke arising from the building, notified his parents and they in turn phoned to the light plant. Mr. Barr was fined by Burgess Hartman for violating a borough ordinance which prohibits having a bonfire within a certain distance of any building.di |
The Call of March 20, 1914 SLIGHT FIRE WEDNESDAY EVENING A slight fire occurred Wednesday evening at the residence of C. T. Weidner on Dock Street about nine o'clock. The fire was discovered by friends gathered at the home of the reverend gentleman when the room began to fill with smoke. An investigation showed that the fire was in the outer kitchen, and when discovered , the flames were rapidly eating their way along the walls, ceiling and flooring. An alarm was sent in but before the companies arrived, Reverend Weidner and the neighbors extinguished the flames. With the high wind of Wednesday evening, the prompt discovery of the fire was most fortunate. Had it occurred several hours later when neighbors had retired, a serious conflagration would surely have resulted. The cause is unknown. The damage will amount to about one hundred dollars |
The Call of July 24, 1914 FIRE AT PEALE FARM Saturday afternoon about 2:30 o'clock fire was discovered in the ice house of R. H. Peale a short distance below Schuylkill Haven. The ice house is located to the rear of the old homestead. The homestead is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Morris Moyer. The flames spread rapidly to all parts of the ice house and threatened communication with the homestead. The alarm quickly spread and within a short time hundreds of persons from all parts were on the scene. Word was sent to the fire companies of Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg. The Liberty Fire Company of town was the first on the scene. They made use of their chemical apparatus and prevented the spread of the flames. Upon the arrival of the Schuylkill Hose Company with their engine and hose a stream of water pumped from a well was soon playing on the flames and in a short while the flames were extinguished. The fire company of Orwigsburg arrived on the scene after the fire was under control and it was not necessary for them to unload their apparatus. For a while excitement here was high, the rumor being that the R. H. Peale residence was being gutted by flames. The discovery of the fire made by Mrs. Moyer was very fortunate. The ice house was completely destroyed. The roof and side of an adjoining building were also burned. The loss is estimated at $200. |
The Call of October 1, 1915 FIRE SCARE ON MONDAY A slight fire occurred Monday afternoon which brought out the entire fire fighting apparatus of the town, including the Schuylkill's new auto truck. The scene of the excitement was the coal and wood shed of Mr. Jule Kantner of William Street. The shed was destroyed and the flames being fanned in a brisk breeze leaped along the garden and destroyed the grape vines and grape arbor on which were a number of prize grapes. Neighbors with buckets and a garden hose after a stiff fight soon had the flames under control and extinguished the flames just about the time the first of the fire apparatus arrived on the scene. The loss is estimated at $100. The cause is unknown. It is said there was a bonfire in the vicinity shortly before the alarm and a spark from this may have caused the larger fire. |
The Call of September 29, 1916 SCHOOL TEACHERS FIGHT FIRE Professors Ralph Ziegenfus and Ralph Wildermuth demonstrated their ability to fight fire just as well as teaching the young, when they successfully saved a home from destruction on the Schuylkill Mountain on Wednesday afternoon. A fire started in the barn of Sylvester Kotitis and had gained considerable headway before being discovered. It spread with such rapidity that the flames communicated with the corn crib and the pig sty and they together with the barn and contents were burned to the ground. Seeing that the barn was doomed, the teachers turned their attention to the home and saved it. Sparks were carried for a half mile away and ignited the woods. These flames were easily extinguished. The loss to the barn will reach $3000. All the crops were destroyed but the livestock was rescued. The fire started in the hay mow and is believed to have been caused by children playing with matches. During the excitement, a party named Seifert, of Cressona, had an artery in his arm cut and bled profusely. He was given first aid by Professor Ziegenfus and then brought to Schuylkill Haven to a doctor. The farm was formerly tenanted by Oliver Wagner. The owner carried no insurance. |
The Call of June 29, 1917 SLIGHT FIRE FRIDAY EVENING A breeze of excitement swept over this locality on last Friday night, shortly after nine o'clock when the fire alarm whistle was sounded. The fire, a rather incipient one, was in the butchering establishment of Mark Maberry on Coal Street. The owner had been rendering fat and was about to close up his place when the flames were discovered. Although the firemen responded promptly, the flames were extinguished by a bucket brigade. The loss will only amount to a few dollars and the fire was caused by a defective flue. During the excitement, Mrs. Jacob Shadel of Willow Street, received painful injuries. She was going to the scene of the fire when struck by a bicycle ridden by a party named Fenstermacher. Mrs. Shadel was knocked heavily to the ground. Her injuries consist of slight bruises and lacerations. She suffered greatly from shock and was compelled to take to her bed immediately following the incident. Fenstermacher escaped with slight bruises. |
The Call of February 14, 1919 FIRE AT THE UNION KNITTING MILLS The fire alarm awakened a good portion of the town Saturday morning at one o'clock. The fire was at the Union Knitting Mill boiler house. It was discovered by Mr. Michael Sauer, one of the night watchmen. He promptly sent in an alarm and then made for the fire hose of the plant and in a short time had extinguished the flames. The Liberty Fire Company responded with its truck but its services were not required. The Schuylkill Hose Company also responded but due to alleged incorrect ward fire alarm signals, they first drove their truck to Spring Garden. When their mistake was discovered they turned and made for the scene of the fire. The loss was slight and was covered by insurance. |
The Call of February 14, 1919 SLIGHT FIRE ON BERNE STREET A slight fire occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Geary of South Berne Street. Several buckets of water, however, extinguished the flames with only a slight loss. It is understood the lighted head of a match broke off and landed in the lace curtains with the result that the same were in flames in an instant. |
The Call of June 27, 1919 SATURDAY EVENING FIRE Fire Saturday evening, about ten thirty destroyed several small sheds, the property of W. F. Stine, the local box manufacturer. The same were located close to the box factory and the large barn of W. F. Doherty. It was only by the hard work of the Liberty boys with their chemicals and the Schuylkill Hose Company with a stream of water that the flames did not ignite these buildings. The sheds together with contents were destroyed, which included some baled hay, feed, harness and a large delivery wagon. The horse and a cow were gotten out in safety. Firecrackers are believed to have caused the fire as Mr. Doherty who lives close by states he was sitting on the porch of his home and heard one or two shots that sounded like firecrackers. The thought came to him that it would be dangerous to have firecrackers near the sheds as he knew baled hay had been received by Mr. Stine that afternoon. In an instant he noticed the sheds were ablaze. The three fire companies responded to the alarm. During the fire Floyd Maberry and Lewis Eichorn were badly burned when while standing upon a ladder between the two buildings, the wind shifted and the flames were swept on them. Maberry was badly burned about the arm, neck and chest and required the attention of a physician. His case is particularly unfortunate as at this particular time his wife is confined to bed with illness and several of the children are down with the measles. During the fire, several other firemen, well known about town, almost ignited some of the other buildings by their fire and brimstone language caused by their falling into a cesspool, the building itself having been turned over in order to prevent the flames spreading to it. |
The Call of August 6, 1920 YOUTHS BURN DOWN STABLE Paul Auchenbach, aged about four, and one of Oscar Ney's children, both of Garfield Avenue, got hold of some matches and set them off in an unused pig stable at the rear of the Ney home. The stable contained small quantities of hay and was very dry. In an instant it was a mass of flames. The Auchenbach youngster had a narrow escape from being burned to death. It was only by the prompt work of Mrs. Ney, who at the risk of herself being burned, fought her way through the smoke and flames and rescued him. Mrs. Ney had her hair singed and was burned about the hands and arms. A pet dog of the Ney family was burned and the pig stable and adjoining pen were burned to the ground. |
The Call of April 29, 1921 FIRE DESTROYED BARN, LIVE AND FARM STOCK Fire destroyed the barn, several outbuildings, two cows, calf, chickens, grain and farming implements of William Wildermuth residing in North Manheim Township just around the curve above the Killian Dam Tuesday afternoon. The loss to the owner is in the neighborhood of several thousand dollars and is felt keenly as almost all of the savings of hard labor were consumed in the flames. Mr. Wildermuth was preparing to discontinue work at the P. and R. shops and this year embark in the pursuit of farming. In anticipation of this fact he had made a number of recent purchases of stock, implements, etc. The list of articles destroyed is as follows: the building itself, two cows, a calf, chickens, straw, two tons of hay, three new plows, two new cultivators, a new hay rake, a new one horse wagon, a new two horse wagon, a new spring wagon, on new set of harness, etc. The fire is said to have started by a match in the hands of their adopted twelve year old son Grant, which while being struck, broke and the flaming end went through a window in the barn and quickly ignited. The boy ran to the pump for water and having filled two buckets was bound for the barn and could no doubt have extinguished the flames but two large pet dogs thinking he wanted to play, jumped at him, tumbled him and upset the water. By the time he had procured more water the flames had made such headway the water was without avail. The barn was closed at the time, hence the presence of the livestock and reason for their being consumed. The young man evidently was too badly frightened to make much attempt at rescue. Mrs. Wildermuth, when she saw the flames, became faint. Neighbors attracted by the fire worked hard but could save very little. The fire companies from town were summoned and played several streams of water and chemical on the roaring furnace but their arrival was too late to be of material service in checking the flames. |
The Call of August 5, 1921 ATTEMPT MADE TO BURN DOWN ICE HOUSE What is termed a bold attempt to burn down the ice house of Mrs. Morgan Bittle along South Berne Street was made early Monday morning. The fire was discovered shortly after three o'clock and the entire building in a minute's time seemed to burst into flames. The alarm brought all the fire companies to the scene. The Liberty Company used chemicals and the Schuylkill Hose pumped water from the dam adjoining. In a short time the flames were extinguished. For a time it was thought the houses located nearby would take fire and considerable excitement reigned. The fire started about the middle of the rafters on the rear wall and burned fiercely for a time and then died down before the fire companies arrived. This fact caused suspicion and an investigation resulted in almost proof positive that oil was thrown about and the fire instead of starting at the bottom of the building started in the rafters. The thin weather boarding at places was burned completely through and in other sections not even scorched. A considerable amount of ice is contained in the building. The loss is given as several hundreds of dollars. |
The Call of November 11, 1921 $12,000 DAMAGE BY EXPLOSION Considerable damage resulted last Friday shortly after the noon hour when a kier or vat at the bleachery of the Bast Mill exploded. The explosion sent the lid of the container straight through the two upper floors. The concussion shattered the entire section of the bleachery, snapping off heavy timbers and splintering the floors and sides of the building. Goods in storage as well as goods in process of bleaching were scattered broadcast and considerable damage done to machinery in the bleachery proper as well as in the two rooms above the bleachery. Two of the employees, Miss Tillie Gentzlinger and Miss Freeze were in the building and near the scene when the explosion occurred. The former was bruised about the head and leg being struck by flying timbers, while the latter was somewhat scalded by escaping steam. Had the explosion occurred during the work period other employees might have been injured. The concussion was heard distinctly in other parts of town and it was first thought the boiler at the Columbia Street bridge operation had gone up. Others thought of another powder mill explosion. As soon as the location was discovered many persons flocked to the scene. The impact and shock was sufficient to hurl timbers skyward and they were picked up in yards and found on house roofs quite some distance from the mill. Knitted goods were twined and twisted about the broken timbers and steam pipes and machinery were bent and twisted in all shapes. The week's wash in a neighbors yard had been blown clean off the line and the top of the kier blown through both the storage room on the second floor and the cutting room on the third floor. The cause is said to have been the blocking of the safety steam valve. This valve was found among the wreckage and an examination found that this valve instead of opening and permitting steam to escape when it reached a certain pressure had become blocked and failed to function. The loss is estimated by the firm to be between $10,000 and $15,000. There were 2200 pounds of knitted goods in the kier that exploded and 3500 pounds of goods in the cutting room, all of which were ruined. The kier itself will have to be rebuilt and also a portion of the building. The sixteen by twenty three story frame addition and elevator shaft under construction at the mill was not damaged. It is proposed to rebuild this addition as well as a considerable portion of the mill proper and bleachery in the spring of 1922. |
The Call of December 2, 1921 GAS PLANT TOOK FIRE Thursday afternoon the gas plant caught fire and but for the timely discovery by Councilman Carr, a neighbor, would have been destroyed or badly damaged. The cause of the fire was due to the flooring of the second story about the super heater igniting from the excessive 1400 degrees of heat in this tank. At the time the employees of the plant were absent, having just left the plant shortly before. A few buckets of water sufficed to extinguish all flames. Sheet iron will be placed about this super heater to prevent recurrence of fire. The loss sustained is slight. The three fire companies responded but their services were not required. Fully four hundred school children were attracted to the scene and would have surely been in the way of the firemen had it been a more serious fire. |
The Call of January 13, 1922 FIRE SCARE ON WEDNESDAY MORNING With the streets almost impassable with snow and a stiff gale blowing, the fire whistle, Wednesday morning at 9:30 sent the shivers down the backs of everyone who heard it by reason of the fear of a disastrous conflagration. Correct and prompt location was obtained from the telephone operators at the Bell Exchange and this fact aided the firemen ever so much in promptly responding to the alarm. The fire was at the Mrs. J. Kantner residence on William Street. It was a chimney fire near the roof of the building. Willis Reed promptly brought a chemical fire extinguisher from the mill and with the aid of George Stelfox reached the roof of the building and made effective use of it. The Liberty Hose Company was first on the scene and with chemicals extinguished all traces of the fire. Weather boards were torn from the building and a thorough examination and search made for further evidences of fire before the department left the scene. The Schuylkill Hose was second on the scene of the fire and the Rainbow Hose Company with the chemical truck third. Considerable damage was done to the rear second story of the building and the kitchen of the home. |
The Call of May 9, 1924 FIRE ROUTS COMMUNITY TUESDAY MORNING Fire in the summer kitchen of the property better known as the "Company House" property of the P. & R. C. & I. on Coal Street, routed this community Tuesday morning about four o'clock. The siren and one look toward Spring Garden convinced everyone that a big fire was in progress. This because of the blaze and the reflection cast in the sky. The building was entirely burned down together with its contents consisting of wash tubs, jarred and canned goods, garden tools, etc. The same being the property of George Biehl and William Staller who occupy the brick dwelling adjoining. Long before the siren whistle was sounded the Rainbow Hose Company had a stream playing on the flames. The fire was discovered by some early risers and members of the fire company were aroused and were soon on the job with the chemical truck. A messenger was later dispatched to the light plant and the alarm given. Streams of water were played on the burning structure by both the Rainbow Hose Company and the Schuylkill Hose Company. The Liberty Company was on hand but did not go into service. The building being of frame construction was a mass of flames before the first firemen arrived. Luckily the nearest buildings were of brick, otherwise a more serious conflagration would have resulted. The work of the Spring Garden Company was retarded by the bursting of two different sections of "new" hose purchased last year and given very little service up to this time. Just what caused the fire is uncertain. There had been fire in a stove in the building Monday to furnish hot water for the weekday washing. This fire had been allowed to burn itself out. It is thought sparks smoldered in the stove and caused the fire. |
The Call of June 13, 1924 SLIGHT FIRE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON A very slight fire at the home of Edward Fisher of Garfield Avenue, Wednesday afternoon about 3:30 o'clock brought out the entire fire department post haste, half the population and caused all kinds of excitement until the nature of the alarm was learned. Sparks from a wood fire in an adjoining neighbor's home are believed to have set fire to the roof around the chimney of the Fisher home. That the low fire in the kitchen stove of the Fisher home should have caused the fire, as was at first thought, appears it have been impossible. Water from buckets and chemicals were used to extinguish the flames. The alarm was sent in by Mrs. William Wessner and the firemen informed the location of the fire was on Garfield Avenue, North Ward. Despite this fact when several of the fire trucks reached the corner of Centre Avenue and Dock Street, they were misled to believe the fire was on Pennsylvania Avenue or Stanton Street. One fire truck dashed out Centre Avenue, around on Stanton and Pennsylvania Avenue and then found its way to Garfield Avenue. Along came the Schuylkill Fire truck and they too were directed out Centre Avenue. Dropping a line of hose at the plug, where had congregated a number of people, hundreds of feet of hose from the plug on Centre Avenue to Stanton Street and Pennsylvania Avenue were unwound before the error was discovered. While there wasn't so much flame at the fire on Garfield Avenue, there were enough sparks and rightly so, emanating from the firemen who were fooled as above mentioned to have started quite a conflagration. |
The Call of August 3, 1923 FIRE THREATENED FARMER'S HOUSE Fire, shortly after six o'clock Tuesday evening, threatened the destruction of the county property or residence, occupied by James Webber and family, in North Manheim Township near Spring Garden Junction. The splendid work of the firemen who used chemicals saved the building but the small kitchen adjoining was completely destroyed. Nearby farmers, some of the patients at the county institution and town folks who responded as soon as the whistle at the county electric light plant gave the alarm of fire, saved all the furniture and household goods of Mr. Webber. Hand chemical extinguishers were used to good advantage. Water for replenishing the chemical engines of the Rainbow and Liberty companies was supplied from a hydrant that is connected with a spring on the premises. Mr. Webber is the farmer at the Almshouse. The discovery of the fire was made while he and his wife were eating supper. When discovered, the flames could probably have been extinguished without much damage but Mr. Webber having the use of but one hand, his arm having been broken over a year ago, and up to this time has not regained the use of the hand, was greatly handicapped. The fire rapidly spread to the woodwork of a small unused shed adjoining a summer kitchen. This and the summer kitchen were completely destroyed. The cause of the fire is said to have been due to a three year old grandson of Mr. Webber setting fire to some paper in the small building. |
The Call of July 4, 1924 BIG FIRE NARROWLY AVERTED HERE Children celebrating the Fourth with fireworks near the paint shop of Lowrey Fritz on West Main Street, are said and thought to have caused a fire which destroyed the paint shop and for a time threatened the Berger Garage adjoining on Tuesday evening shortly before six o'clock. Upon the sounding of the alarm residents by looking skyward were quick to detect the thick black smoke arising from the scene. The entire fire department was on hand within a few minutes and when it was announced the Berger Garage was on fire great fears were entertained for a serious conflagration. Firemen upon arriving found the garage had not as yet caught fire although the burning building was but two or three feet from the recently constructed addition to the garage. The paint shop however was a roaring furnace. Two streams of water and chemicals were quickly played upon the Fritz building and the Berger Garage. In a few minutes the fire had been extinguished and the public breathed a sigh of relief. The roof of the Berger Garage was burned in spots as was some of the woodwork at the cornice. Had this garage been of frame construction it would like as not have required several hours of the toughest kind of work to extinguish the flames. The Fritz building was completely destroyed. One of the remarkable things about the fire was the prompt action in driving every car in the garage to safety on the nearby streets. Chauffeurs responded willingly and in a few minutes every car, almost one hundred, had been removed from the garage. Mr. Fritz estimated his loss at between $400 and $500, as a considerable quantity of paint was destroyed. Mr. Fritz was near Landingville at the time of the fire. He heard the siren fire whistle and saw the black clouds of smoke in the sky. Upon arriving in town he found it was his own property that had been destroyed. Mr. Fritz has the sympathy of many friends as less then a year ago death called his wife and helpmate and now this additional ill fortune adds additional hardship to his efforts to rear a family of several young children. |
The Call of April 9, 1926 MATCHES SET FIRE TO BED CLOTHING While playing with matches on the bed, children of Floyd Maberry of Liberty Street set fire to the bedding while the mother was in the yard placing the weekly wash on the line. The screams of the youngsters brought the mother to the rescue. An alarm was given and fire extinguishers from nearby persons extinguished the flames with but slight damage and without serious injury to the youngsters. About the same time the fire alarm was sent for the Maberry fire, a brush fire was discovered on Goat Hill. For a time it looked like the nearby dwellings were threatened and two of the fire companies were directed to the spot by pedestrians who noticed the smoke from the brush fire. The Schuylkill Hose obtained direct information of the location of the fire from the telephone exchange and drove to the Maberry fire and used fire extinguishers to good effect. The brush fire was extinguished before the arrival of the fire trucks, the Rainbow Hose Company making the run of fully a mile from their fire house to the fire in good time. |
The Call of July 2, 1926 GAS FILLING STATION DESTROYED BY FIRE Fire, starting shortly after six o'clock Tuesday evening, completely destroyed the gas filling station of McCullough and Barron on the Scott farm, a short distance north of town. The large barn together with the dwelling of Harry Hillibush were completely burned to the ground. The Rainbow Fire Company with their pump and chemical truck were the first of several companies from Pottsville and Cressona to arrive on the scene. Little work could be done to save the barn or filling station as they were doomed upon arrival of the local company. Efforts had to be confined to save the property of Terry McGovern known as Ridgeview Inn. This building was very badly scorched and the window panes broken by the heat which was terrific. The barn was a frame structure and unoccupied. Being very dry it burned like tinder. The heat from the burning buildings was such that the traffic on the highway for an hour was impossible. The trunk lines of the Bell Telephone Company were burned down shortly after the fire started. Temporary communication however was restored as soon as the flames had burned themselves and as soon as the workmen could get close enough to the destroyed structures to make the repairs. The fire is said to have started in the kitchenette of Harry Hillibush, who lives with his mother, and who within a year had built the home on a sort of bungalow style. He was employed and had charge of the gas filling tanks at this place and operated a small store in connection with this work. When the discovery of the fire was made it had already gained such headway that not a piece of furniture of household goods could be saved. Every possession excepting the clothing upon his back and that worn by his mother who was absent at the time was lost. A Durant automobile sold by Guy Moyer to Mr. Freeman but a few days ago and which was at the rear of the barn along the railroad tracks was destroyed. One automobile in the barn was recovered. The fire is said to have started from a spark thrown by a passing locomotive. While responding to the special still alarm of fire sent to Schuylkill Haven, the chemical truck of the Rainbow Hose Company collided with The Call truck, striking it in the rear and taking off several of the wheels. |
The Call of July 2, 1926 FIRE BADLY DAMAGES STANTON MILL Fire was discovered shortly before two in the morning on Wednesday in the frame building on Haven Street formerly used by J. E. Stanton for his underwear mill. The flames had gained such headway when the firemen arrived that they could not be confined to any one portion of the building. As a result the building was badly gutted and the contents mostly sewing and knitting machines, practically ruined. The flames broke through the weatherboards at several places but the fire was mostly confined to the first floor. The firemen prevented the fire from eating its way to the second floor although the flooring at some places was badly burned. The heat from the flames was so intense that the sewing machines on the second floor had been badly damaged. The large knitters on the first floor have been practically ruined. Just what caused the fire is uncertain. The building has not been occupied for some time although inspections and examinations of the same were made frequently by the owner. There is a report that boys during the day had been using firecrackers around the building and that they had several times been warned and chased away by adults. Whether a smoldering part of a firecracker ignited the building from the outside or whether a cracker had been thrown inside the building will probably never be known. At least four streams of water and one of chemical were played on the flames while at their height. The Schuylkill Hose was the first company to have a stream of water on the blaze, having hooked with the plug at Paxson Avenue and Haven Street. Later their stream was replaced by the Liberty boys. |
The Call of January 14, 1927 SLIGHT FIRE ON MONDAY MORNING A slight fire occurred at the butcher shop of Harry Cottler on Coal Street on Monday morning between ten thirty and eleven o'clock. It did little damage as the flames were confined to or between the heavy sheets of plaster board on the floor of the second floor. Chemicals were used by the Rainbow Hose Company. The smoke coming from the building was very dense and for a time gave the appearance of a raging fire within. It is believed the fire started from sparks from one of two wood fires in two rooms on the first floor which were kept up to dry out the concrete work that is being done in the building. The fire started in the concrete block addition to the frame section of the building. All the apparatus of the fire department was brought to the scene but not required. The damage was slight. |
The Call of May 27, 1927 CHIMNEY FIRE CAUSES EXCITEMENT A slight fire in the chimney in the home of Charles Underdoor of Saint James Street, or the extreme end of this street better known as the "Eck" on Wednesday evening caused quite a bit of excitement and had the fire trucks chasing over the town. The Liberty fire truck happened to be back on Saint John Street where plugs were being tested. Coming out of Saint John Street upon the sound of the alarm sent, many people following it. The Schuylkill Hose Company sent its first truck out Dock Street. Near the Catholic Church it passed the Rainbow truck coming in town., The second Schuylkill truck was sent up Main Street with the intention of having it sent out Dock. On Main Street it passed the Rainbow truck coming down Main Street. The Liberty boys went to the scene of the fire but found a few buckets of water had been sufficient to extinguish the fire. The other truck of the companies also arrived on the scene later. |
The Call of January 18, 1929 BURNING OVERCOAT BRINGS OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT A burning overcoat in the hallway of the home of Isaac Huy on Willow Street about quarter to six o'clock Thursday morning, resulted in an alarm of fire being sent in. The fire was extinguished with little trouble. The Huy home was filled with dense smoke as was also the home adjoining. Only one of the fire companies, however, arrived at the scene, namely the Rainbow Company. The other two companies as well as many individuals were hunting the fire on Railroad Street, as this was the information given out to the employees at the light plant by telephone and box number 33, corner of Liberty and Railroad Streets, was accordingly registered at the fire houses. The Schuylkill Hose Company had difficulty in getting their truck into service, succeeding in getting it only as far as the corner of Wilson and Saint John Street. Only after twenty minutes could it be moved from this location. Repairs are, it is understood, now being made to it. |
The Call of July 19, 1929 FIRE DESTROYED RIDGEVIEW INN FRIDAY MORNING Fire early Thursday morning completely destroyed the frame dwelling a short distance above Schuylkill Haven and south of Seven Stars, which for some time has been known as Ridgeview Inn. Fire was discovered by the occupants but not until the entire house was in flames and the escape of the occupants was made with great danger. The watchman at the Schuylkill Haven Car Shops reported having heard the screams of the frightened occupants of the Inn and upon looking in the direction from which they came, saw the building in flames. The Humane and the Good Will Hose Companies of Pottsville responded and played streams of water upon the several gas tanks adjoining the building as it was entirely too late to save the Inn building proper. Joseph Zacone, the proprietor, suffered burns to his hands and arms. The cause of the fire is said to have been an exploding oil stove. |
The Call of May 4, 1928 PAINFULLY BURNED WHEN GAS WENT UP Howard Koenig, working at his car in the garage of William Raudenbush on Becker Street, Sunday morning, was painfully burned about the face and legs when a large open can of gasoline exploded. Mr. Koenig was underneath his car. The open container of gas had been used to wash parts of the machine. In some way or other it burst into flames. Mr. Koenig attempted to push the flaming container of gasoline out of reach of another machine stored in the garage. In trying to do so it upset and spilled the liquid on his trousers. He was at once enveloped in flames. Persons attracted by the commotion wrapped clothing and blankets about his person and extinguished the flames but nor before he had been painfully burned. The flaming gasoline set fire to a part of the garage and an alarm of fire was sent in. The fire siren sounded about the noon hour. All the companies responded but their services were not required as neighbors had extinguished the flames with little damage to the building. |
The Call of July 13, 1928 OIL STOVE CAUSES FIRE WEDNESDAY Flames from an oil stove on which the family supper was being prepared, communicating with the woodwork, caused a slight fire in the basement or summer kitchen of the W. H. Wagner home on Center Avenue, shortly before six o'clock Wednesday evening. Water used by members of the family and neighbors extinguished the flames but not until the entire house had been filled with smoke and the walls and ceiling as well as the woodwork damaged. All the companies responded but their services were not required. Fire Chief Schumacher however ordered the Liberty Company to use chemicals on the walls and ceilings as a preventative against any smoldering sparks breaking into flame later in the evening. |
The Call of November 9, 1928 PAINFULLY BURNED IN EXPLOSION Mrs. Jay Rickson of Union Street was painfully burned Monday afternoon when naphtha which she was using to clean dresses suddenly exploded. The flames shot from an open doorway to the porch on the second floor and luckily were noticed by employees at the Thomas Knitting Mill. Messrs. Robert Coldren and Foster Fahl quickly responded with fire extinguishers and aided other persons to extinguish the flames. Mrs. Harry Huling, residing next door, had the presence of mind to trip Mrs. Rickson who in her excitement was rushing about in her flaming garments. She then rolled her in rugs and extinguished the flames and prevented more serious and more painful burns. An alarm of fire was sent in and all companies responded but their services were not required. The Rickson apartments were badly damaged by the flames. Mrs. Rickson was burned deeply on the arms and neck. Her eyebrows and eyelashes were singed as was also her hair. At this writing she is resting as comfortably as might be expected. Mrs. Rickson was engaged in cleaning garments with naphtha. A low flame from the gas stove is believed to have ignited the fumes and although Mrs. Rickson was standing on the back porch in the act of hanging up a garment that had just been cleaned, the explosion and rush of flame were as one and in an instant the garment she was hanging up had been ignited. |
Pottsville Republican of August 21, 1885 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN'S FIRE COMPANY Schuylkill Haven is now supplied by water works and the young men of the town have organized a fire company and propose getting a steamer and other suitable apparatus. To raise funds they announce a grand picnic at Island Grove near Connor's Crossing, to be held on the fifth of next month. The fire company is officered as follows: John F. Bader, President, Samuel L. Martz, Secretary, Frank Butz, Treasurer. We believe the company is negotiating for the purchase of one of the steamers belonging to the Good Intent Company of this city. |
Just added: A series of new articles added including: Boy Scouts called to put out 1920 brush fire, Fairmount brush fire, a Willow Lake home burns to the ground and a kitchen fire all in 1939 and in 1942 a slight fire at the Almshouse. |
Pottsville Republican of October 14, 1886 FARM HOUSE BURNED This morning between twelve and one o'clock, the farm house belonging to the Saylor estate and occupied by Lucien Reber, on the Long Run road between Cressona and Schuylkill Haven, was discovered on fire and was burned, together with most of the contents. The family had been cooking apple butter during the day and it is supposed the fire originated from a spark that had lodged on the roof, and such rapidity did the flames make that it was with difficulty that the inmates were rescued. Loss will approximate $2000, fully insured. |
The following two articles relate the borough's problem with providing water in the fire plugs and insurance implications. |
Pottsville Republican of October 4, 1887 COMMUNICATION The action of the Schuylkill Haven Borough Council on Monday evening last in refusing to pay any more water rent was a very unwise move, as they have no fire engine there and the citizens and property owners will be at the mercy of the flames should a fire occur. Besides the insurance companies will more than likely materially increase their rates or withdraw their risks. |
Pottsville Republican of October 8, 1887 FIRE PLUG ISSUE CONTINUES Someone communicated to the different fire insurance companies on this and New York state informing them of the detachment of service to the borough fire plugs and in consequence leave the town without water supply in case of fire. We property holders are not at all alarmed, as we are a very careful people, besides our town is more substantially built and not as compactly as most towns and in case of fire we have the canal running along the whole town backed by a people with heroic temperament, who work like trojans when occasions of necessity present themselves. The insurance companies that fall in the trap must really be not very considerate. The rate in our town has always been the same before and since the water was put in and since the water is here we have been promised by the Schuylkill County Board of Fire Underwriters to have a man come here to lower our rates and many of our people have dropped their insurance altogether on account of the unequal rating of our town, we must adhere to these rates and in consequence many would rather carry their own risks. Just think, houses on our front street rated $1.75 per $100 per year. If the companies desire to lose almost their entire holdings here, let them now insist on a higher rate and we will have plenty of advocates of a home mutual fire insurance company, which is now, and for some time has been, seriously agitated. |
Pottsville Republican of September 27, 1907 FIRE AT GAS WORKS Fire early Sunday damaged the gas works of the Schuylkill Haven Gas and Water Company to the extent of several hundred dollars. The flames were discovered at about six o'clock by a crew of a P and R locomotive and they gave the alarm of the engine whistle, which was later taken up by the school house bell. All three of the town's fire companies responded promptly and soon had the fire extinguished. As soon as the firemen finished their work, General manager Aldrich, Superintendents Werner and McKnight had on the ground the combined forces of the Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville plants with a gang of laborers from the P and R storage yard, and by three o'clock in the afternoon had the plant running again. The building being of brick, tin covered roof, doors and windows and window casings and the small amount of oil about the machinery constituted all of the inflammable matter, but the fire was so hot the Babbitt metal plunger in the oil pump at the foot of the gas generator was welted out of all semblance to its normal shape. The big gas generators, built of steel and intended to stand terrific heat, were not damaged in the least. The damage was confined to the woodwork before mentioned, the oil pump, engine and blower belts in pipe connections. Repairs to the building were begun this morning by contractor Rudy Moyer. The roof will be replaced by a metal one, all floor supports will be of metal, and as soon as they can be obtained, a flooring of metal plates will be laid. |
Pottsville Republican of March 13, 1908 DR. DECHERT SUFFERS FROM FIRE Fire on Thursday night gutted the second story of Dr. Dechert's stable, which is located at the rear of the doctor's residence. The fire was discovered shortly before ten o'clock and so promptly did all three of the fire companies respond to the alarm and so rapidly and systematically did the firemen work that the fire was confined to the second floor of the building where it originated. The cause of the fire is believed to be spontaneous combustion from some hay that had been put in there the day before. The hay and the hostler's room and its furnishings were destroyed and the second story of the stable was badly charred. The damage amounts to between 4300 and $400. The doctor's fine horses, carriages, harness, etc., were all on the ground floor of the stable and were gotten out when the fire was discovered. The first floor of the stable suffered only from the water that was poured in on the flames by the firemen, the damage being slight. Dr. Dechert, who has been seriously ill, was not informed of the loss. The doctor is improving in health steadily and is able to sit up for an hour each day. His physicians predict his ultimate recovery. |
The Pottsville Republican of July 16, 1908 NEW FIRE COMPANY IS ASSURED – TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING As has already appeared in this column, there has been a fire company organized in the South Ward of the town. The special reason for the creation of the new company is that in their particular section of the town there is no fire apparatus. Between the greater section and this district and the Rainbow, Schuylkill and Hook and Ladder Companies, there is the Reading Railroad and very frequently trains block all crossings and on account of the air brakes on the trains they are unable to move , sometimes as long as ten minutes or more. In the meantime should a fire be in progress, the building would be at the mercy of the flames and might be altogether too far gone to get control of same when theses companies could get across again. This section below the railroad, particularly Berne Street and the Long Run Road and the Schuylkill Mountain Road are being built up so rapidly that additional fire protection is now necessary. The following milk and business places are located in this district: Reed and Leininger, Schuylkill Haven Rolling Mill, Saul and Zang, Gerber Shoe Company, S. Thomas Knit Mill, Daniel Sharadin Est, Meck and Company, Daniel Phillips Lumber Yard, Samuel Riney, Daniel Riney, Daniel Bitzer, J. F. Bast, Charles Bittle, Milton Meck Lumber Yard, Thomas Bast, Mrs. Mary Hoffman, Frank Runkle, H. J. Dohney, Daniel Sharadin Furniture Store, and others. The School Board is now enlarging its school building to four rooms which will hereafter take care of a great many more of our children and this institution needs the best kind of protection for we need only to think back a few months to the awful calamity that befell Cleveland, Ohio. The South Ward represents the second ward of the borough, contains besides the manufacturers and business places, many new and beautiful homes. The new organization has been met with hearty approval and the movement is being sanctioned by the citizens in general. It is the aim of the organization to have as many members of the other wards as possible, while the home of the fire company will be in the South Ward, its assistance and help will be rendered to the extreme parts of the town and for that reason they invite all the residents of Schuylkill Haven to join their ranks and become associated with them. On Monday night, July 20th at 7:30 there will be a special public meeting held at the mill of J. F. Bast to consider further details of the organization. The question of purchasing a steamer will be taken up and arrangements made for same. Everybody is urged to be present at the meeting. meeting. |
The Pottsville Republican of July 20, 1908 EXCITEMENT CAUSED BY FIRE Saturday afternoon at about four o’clock, fire was discovered in the private hallway of the D. M. Wagner furniture store building that leads to the lodge rooms. The blaze was in a pile of burlap and was caused by someone carelessly throwing down a lighted match. The blazing burlap was thrown into the street and the Schuylkill Hose Company, which was summoned on a still alarm, extinguished the blaze. |
The Pottsville Republican of July 24, 1908 FIRE AT HARNESS SHOP Spontaneous combustion caused a slight fire in Squire C. H. Goas’ harness shop on Saint John Street on Thursday night, and for a time caused great excitement, as Squire Goas’ building is of frame and adjoins another frame building, which in turn, adjoins the Hotel Grand. On the other side of the shop, separated by a ten foot driveway, is Adam Moyer’s big livery stable and Keystone Hall, and to the rear of the shop is another section of the livery stable. The fire was on the second floor, which is used by the Squire for a work room. The timely discovery of the fire by Adam Moyer and the prompt sounding of the alarm resulted in the extinguishing of the flames before much damage had been done. Squire Goas’ loss is not over twenty five dollars and the damage to the building, which is owned by D. D. Yoder, of Reading, will be fully covered by half that amount. |
The Pottsville Republican of August 2, 1909 SCHUYLKILL HOSE COMPANY MEETS The Schuylkill Haven Fire Department met as required under a recent ordinance passed by Council at Hotel Grand parlors one evening last week. Daniel S. Byerly, representing the Schuylkill Haven Hose Company, was chosen chairman of the meeting. The following committee was appointed on Rules and Regulations: Schuylkill Hose Company, W. J. Saylor, F. J. Hesser; Rainbow Hose Company, Luke Fisher, Ed Maberry; Friendship Hook and Ladder Company, George Gerhart, Charles Weiser; Liberty Hose Company, George P. Saul, J. H. Filbert. The following are the permanent officers of the department: Chief Engineer Luke Fisher, First Assistant Frank J. Heim, Second Assistant Benjamin Luckenbill, Third Assistant Samuel Bast. The work of the department was outlined in a number of speeches and many improvements in fire service are contemplated and will be brought about. A second meeting will be held this month when the Rules and Regulations will be presented and acted upon and other business transacted. |
Pottsville Republican of August 12, 1909 SLIGHT FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Late yesterday afternoon the stable of Joseph Meyers, situated in the center of the town and within several feet of Saint Matthew's Lutheran and Saint John's Reformed Churches was discovered to be on fire. An alarm was immediately sounded, the Schuylkill Hose Company responding. Had it not been for the heroic work of the bucket brigade, the whole structure together with the adjoining properties would have been destroyed as the pressure for the hose would not throw a stream three feet long. The fire is supposed to have been started by hot ashes being thrown against the building. The damage will amount to about twenty five dollars. |
The Call of March 11, 1932 HOTEL GRAND DESTROYED BY FIRE On Tuesday morning, the Hotel Grand was destroyed by fire resulting in damages of $75000. The post office, Prudential Insurance Co. and the State Bank of Schuylkill Haven, all with offices in the building suffered serious damage. The fire started at about 2:45 in the morning spreading quickly. All guests of the hotel got out safely. Nine streams of water were trained on the structure for seven hours to control the blaze. A separate building to the rear used by the bank and Schwartz's store were slightly damaged as was the Gray building next door. Post office employees retrieved records and as much mail as possible taking it next door to the Gray building. As the last employee left the hotel, embers crashed down through the skylight. Lewis Dewald has operated the hotel for the past two and a half years. The hotel had thirty nine guest rooms and a band hall on the fourth floor. There are plans to rebuild. The building is completely ruined. It occupied the site of the historic Washington Hotel which was built in the early days of the town. The present building was erected by Daniel Yoder in 1895 and operated by Preston Souder. It was then sold to Clayton Bubeck who sold it to the State Bank in 1923. Shollenberger and Yeager operated it by lease after the bank made large improvements. The Bressler Band lost many of their instruments. The night was cold at zero degrees with a strong wind coating firemen with ice. H. C. Wilson, a long time resident of the hotel, discovered the fire and alerted the other guests. The train at 2:22 woke him and he smelled smoke. Many guests gathered personal effects and gathered on St. John Street but some escaped with only the clothes on their backs. John Deibert saved most of his clothes but forgot his teeth and spectacles. Miss Mary Juris who lived near the bathroom where the fore began fled in pajamas and a light coat. Wilson managed to save his forty year collection of historical notes and photos of the town. Fire companies from Pottsville, Cressona and Orwigsburg assisted. The firemen fought to save neighboring buildings and frequently changed clothes that were freezing from the water on the cold night. St. John Street became a frozen river. Chief of Police Deibert pulled the alarm which alerted the town. |
Pottsville Republican of September 8, 1932 GARAGE WAS BURNED DOWN Fire totally destroyed the small garage at the Merton E. Suits home on Fairmount at one o'clock this morning. The barking of his dogs woke Mr. Suits and he saw the light of his burning garage, then a mass of flames. Oliver Wagner, who lives above, also saw the fire about the same time and both turned in an alarm. Mr. Suits turned the water from the garden hose on his home only twenty feet distant until the fire department arrived, when they aided in saving the dwelling. The wind direction was away from the home or probably the story would have been different. The garage and new Oldsmobile sedan are a total loss. The loss will be over $1000, partly covered by insurance. The fire companies responded promptly, but could not possibly save the garage. The cause is unknown. There was no electric wiring in the building. |
Pottsville Republican of September 25, 1947 TWO DIE IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FIRE - DEFECTIVE CHIMNEY IS BLAMED Robert Bernet, 81, Nellie Sterner, 53, Victims; Double Funeral Saturday An 81 year old Schuylkill Haven man and a 53 year old housekeeper who tried vainly to rescue him died in a fire which swept the home of Stanley Bernet at 216 East Union Street, Schuylkill Haven, late Wednesday afternoon. The victims are Robert Bernet, father of Stanley Bernet and Miss Nellie M. Sterner. Mr. Bernet died of a heart attack in bed on the second floor before firemen could reach him. Dr. Joseph Matonis, Deputy Coroner said Miss Sterner died of suffocation in the cellar where she had gone apparently to check a defective furnace which set fire to the house and filled the building with smoke. Claude Sausser, fire chief of Schuylkill Haven, blamed a blocked chimney for the tragedy. Sausser said that Stanley, who is employed at the Stoyer garage, built a fire in the stoker operated hot air furnace at noon and then returned to his job. His wife Verna, who is employed at the Alpha Mills, directly in the rear of the home, also returned to her work after lunch, while Stanley's father, a retired Pennsylvania railroader went upstairs to take a nap. Miss Sterner who was also employed at the home of Charles N. Meck next door, was busy at the Meck home. Mrs. Meck said she left the house at 2:30 which is the last time that Miss Sterner was seen alive. Sausser believes that the housekeeper, smelling smoke, went to the Bernet home shortly afterward and tried in vain to arouse the elder Bernet and was overcome as she went to the cellar. Smoke was first noticed pouring from the house by employees of the Alpha Mills who sent in an alarm and Mrs. Bernet rushed to the home, which she tried to enter but was driven out by the fumes. When firemen arrived, they donned masks and entered the second floor by a ladder, carrying the body of Mr. Bernet Sr. to the street. It was not known until half an hour later that Miss Sterner was in the house when Edward Bolton of the Rainbow Hose Company stumbled over her body near the furnace in the cellar. She was pronounced dead by Dr. N. Albert Fegley. Fire Chief Sausser said an investigation later revealed that the blocked chimney resulted in the doors of the furnace being blown open and the fire spread to the cellar rafters, thence to the partition between the two homes and up toward the attic. He said that the damage is extensive. All three fire companies of Schuylkill Haven, the Rainbow, Schuylkill and Liberty responded and put out the fire with some difficulty and only after the use of masks which permitted them to get at the seat of the blaze. The alarm was turned in about 3:30. The Stanley Bernets have two children, Nancy and Carl, the latter a seaman now on leave but both were absent from home at the time of the fire. A double funeral will be held from the D. M. Bittle Funeral Home on Saturday afternoon with Reverend B. E. Snoddy in charge of the services. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery. Bernet, born and reared in Pottsville, was a resident of Schuylkill Haven for fifty years. He was a son of the late George and Louise Krebs Bernet. He was a member of the Trinity United Brethren Evangelical Church. Surviving are three sons: Aaron, Willis and Stanley, all of Schuylkill Haven and one daughter Mary, wife of Herbert Deibert of Hamburg; one sister, Mrs. Eugene Fisher, Philadelphia; nine grandchildren; a half brother, Frank Bernet, Reading and four stepsisters: Mrs. George Maile, Schuylkill Haven, Mrs. Edward Sterner, Pottsville, Mrs. Bertha Kraut, Philadelphia and Mrs. Elmer Sterner, Port Carbon. Miss Sterner was born and reared and spent her entire lifetime in Schuylkill Haven. She was a daughter of the late Robert and Mary Stigman Sterner and was a member of the Trinity United Brethren Evangelical Church. |
Pottsville Republican of February 29, 1892 A Grand Opening - A Great Surprise - Fully Two Thousand People on the Streets The grand opening of the fair of the Schuylkill Hose Company was a surprise to the many who knew no enterprise. The arrangements were quietly planned but Peter F. Bauer is entitled to the sole credit for the hard work and without a doubt his earnest appeals, together with a practical smile which he picked up in Pottsville, while at Rosengarten's, did the business. Captain Helms, who by the way, belongs to the Rainbow Hose, by accident, met Major Losch in Pottsville, the major having just returned from the Pittsburgh G. A. R. convention where he was elected a national delegate. The major received the news, took the first train for his Schuylkill Haven and at once entered into the work. The Humane Hose and Steam Fire Engine Company of Pottsville, was the object of attack, they being the first visiting fire company. They arrived at 8:00 o'clock and were received by the Schuylkill and Rainbow fire companies, with a brilliant display of fireworks over the entire route, and while marching and countermarching the scene was indeed magnificent and old and young were surprised. AT THE FAIR The visitors were at once marched into the fair, Metamora Hall, where they received another ovation from the hard working lady committee, of which Mrs. Willis Bryant is chairman. The visitors were received by Major S. A. Losch in one of his old time speeches which took the house. John Reber of the Humane responded in a happy, short address, but surprised the major by presenting to his company, a fine fire horn, which will be described hereafter. The president of the company, Albert W. Felix, received the same, but the surprise was so sudden, indeed, it was a shock but Al was equal to the occasion, received the call bugle and ordered the guests to banquet. They proceeded at once to the Central Hotel, where they were entertained with a feast of reason and a flow of soul. H. A. Hesser and Major S. A. Losch, in connection with proprietor Bauer, worked until midnight to send their guests away pleased. The fair promises to be a great success and I will note it right along for you. The ladies of this fair are a power judging from the work they are doing. |
Pottsville Republican of June 4, 1892 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN At 11:30 last night the underwear and stocking factory of Lautenbacher Company was discovered to be on fire. This at a time when rain was pouring down in torrents. The Rainbow and Schuylkill Hose Companies were quickly at the scene and soon had four streams playing and at once got the fire under control. The southern end of the manufactory is a perfect wreck as it was here around the fire room where the fire originated. The entire stock was destroyed, consisting of underwear, hosiery, etc. Loss as of yet is unknown. Elijah Emerich, the Steward of the County Almshouse, has the principal interest in the establishment. |
FIRES |
Pottsville Republican of May 15, 1899 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The flames spread rapidly and communicated to the stable of George Gerber, Esquire. Both stables At 6:30 o'clock last evening, a stable in the rear of the Reformed Church at Schuylkill Haven caught fire. were entirely destroyed and a portion of the church roof was burned away. The fire is believed to have been caused by several boys who were playing in the stable and had matches. |
Pottsville Republican of June 25, 1925 ASSISTANT ROAD FOREMAN OF ENGINES BOYER - DROPS DEAD DIRECTING RAILROAD TRAFFIC DURING FIRE John O. Boyer of Schuylkill Haven, assistant road foreman of engines at the Reading Railway Company, dropped dead in the station at Schuylkill Haven at 6:30 o'clock Thursday morning while standing at the telephone, directing the movement of trains during the fire at Schuylkill Haven. He was found a short time later at the phone with the receiver tightly wrapped in his hand. Heart trouble was the cause of his death. A peculiar coincidence is the fact that his wife dropped dead three years ago on the street, just a block from where he died this morning. He was a native of Schuylkill Haven and prominent in fraternal organization circles. Mr. Boyer was born in Schuylkill Haven forty eight years ago and resided there continuously. He was the son of the late Edward and Sarah Long Boyer of Schuylkill Haven and is the last surviving member of his family. His wife who died suddenly of a heart attack three years ago, was before her marriage Lillian I. Brownmiller and was a sister of County Commissioner Roy Brownmiller. Two sons Paul of Schuylkill Haven and Edward, at home, survive. Deceased was a member of Page Lodge of Masons, member of the Consistory and Shrine and a thirty second degree Mason. He was also a member of Junior American Mechanics, the P. O. S. of A., Knights of Malta, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, member of the Relief association of the Reading Company. He resided at 226 Dock Street. |
The Call of October 3, 1930 TEN YEAR OLD SAVES MOTHER FROM FIRE Fire Wednesday morning gutted a portion of the brick cottage of Herbert Schaefer on Edgewood and completely ruined the furniture in two rooms of the home. The timely discovery of the fire by James, the ten year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer, who smelled smoke and came downstairs to investigate, probably saved the lives of other members of the family and his mother, who for the past several weeks has been confined to bed with illness. Poor water pressure and delay in discovering the exact location of the fire gave the flames an opportunity to make headway. The fire alarm was sent in by telephone, therefore, the firemen had to first obtain the information. They were told the fire was in Edgewood. The Schaefer home is at the end of this part of the town and on a somewhat lower level than the others. The fire therefore, was not readily discovered, even by residents of Edgewood. Fire companies arriving on the scene connected with a fire plug a hundred yards or more from the scene of the fire, were disappointed when nothing more than a small muddy stream came from the hose. They could not throw the water to the windows of the first floor. Water was then run from a booster pump of the Schuylkill Hose Company and thence pumped onto the flames. Chemicals were also used. The Liberty Company connected with another plug but no water from the large hose lines was thrown on the fire at the time. For a time it looked as if the blaze would be a stubborn one to fight but in a short time they were extinguished. The father and owner of the home, Herbert Schaefer, had filled up the furnace in the cellar and had left for work at the Bausher Dye Works in Hamburg about six o'clock. Hardly had he arrived at the plant for work when he was given a message that his home was afire. Woodwork near the furnace ignited and the fire ate its way through the floor into the dining room above the furnace. The furniture in this room and the adjoining living room front was burned or charred and scorched with the exception of a large living room suite. Fortunately the door from the dining room to the other part of the house had been closed and the flames did not get into the other rooms. The Schaefer boy who discovered the fire noticed this door closed and after opening it and being confronted with the flames and smoke, had the presence of mind to close it. Arousing the other members of the family and neighbors, it was found that the escape from the second floor through the hallway had been cut off. Neighbors then procured ladders and carried Mrs. Schaefer, who had been carried and assisted to the roof, to the ground, where she was cared for by persons in the neighborhood. Mr. Schaefer carried insurance to the amount of four thousand dollars on the home and with three more monthly payments would have had the home, built several years ago, completely paid for. |
The Call of March 20, 1931 EARLY MORNING FIRE CAUSES LOSS OF $40,000 Fire on Wednesday morning between three and four o'clock, completely destroyed the 150 by 40 foot one story concrete block and steel building, together with contents, of A. E. Meitzler on Centre Avenue, Schuylkill Haven. Not an item or article could be saved from the burning structure. The building was occupied by A. E. Meitzler as an auto body and fender works and auto paint shop. Very modern and a great number of equipment, as well as a large supply of paints, varnishes and supplies used in the paint shop, also auto equipment, parts and supplies were destroyed. Three automobiles, two Packards and a Buick, were also destroyed. The plant had been in operation for a number of years and was modern in every respect. A one story wooden structure to the rear and side of the large building was almost completely destroyed and a frame garage of R. C. Gehrig, adjoining, was gutted. Mr. Meitzler estimated his loss at between forty and forty five thousand dollars, partly covered by insurance. Five streams of water and three streams of chemical were poured into the burning building and upon surrounding structures and despite the terrific heat and danger from exploding paints and oils, the firemen fought stoically and in close proximity to the flames. Almost at the moment of its discovery, the building was a mass of flames, the fire having started, it is believed, in or near the portion of the building occupied as the Duco plant. By reason of the very inflammable character of the materials stored therein, the flames spread rapidly to every part of the building. When firemen arrived, the entire building was a roaring, seething furnace. The bungalow of R. C. Gehrig, located across an open forty foot lot, was steaming and had it not been for its being covered with asbestos shingles, would have been burned. The glass in the windows of the home cracked under the intense heat. A large fern inside the home and close to one of the windows was scorched and a thermometer in the kitchen burst from the heat. The members of the Gehrig family, consisting of R. C. Gehrig Sr., Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Gehrig Jr. and a one month old son, were the occupants of the home and were aroused from their slumbers by the roar of the flames and the intermittent popping or explosions. The apartments and garages of Clayton Bubeck to the rear and side of the Meitzler Plant were scarred from the flames. Occupants of the apartments were ordered to gather valuables and be prepared to vacate on a moment's notice. The Boyer garage, also a concrete block structure, to the north of the Meitzler plant and separated by only a space of twelve or fourteen inches, escaped with damage of but several sections of roof being burned and a number of window glasses being broken. Twenty three cars in the Boyer Garage were removed in safety. Two automobiles in the Gehrig garage were removed in safety while the flames were rapidly eating their way toward the structure. All three fire companies responded rapidly to the alarms. The Rainbow Company was first to have two streams of water playing on the fire from a plug at the Kimmel Store. The Liberty Company used the plug near the Reider factory building while the Schuylkill Company pumped from the plug on Garfield Avenue. The fire seemed to be discovered by several persons at almost the same time. Mrs. C. B. Reed, residing almost directly across from the scene, noticed the glare and heard the explosions and awakened her husband. His calls of fire quickly aroused others in the neighborhood. John Moyer, residing nearby also, was awakened by the noise of the waves of heat coming through an open window along side of his bed. Thomas Herritt, residing in the Bubeck apartments, appears to be the one who pulled the fire alarm from the box at the arch on Garfield Avenue. Bruce Sheesley, also residing in the Bubeck apartments, jumped in his car standing outside and drove to the Rainbow firehouse. All persons state that when they first discovered the fire, the building was in full flame. The roar of the flames and the explosions could be heard squares away and the glare of the flames in the sky attracted many out of town persons who felt an unusually big fire was in progress. Shortly after the arrival of the firemen, the "thinner drum", containing glycerine and other combustible materials exploded and flames were shot high into the air and into all parts of the building. The heat was intense and scorched the trees in the vacant lot adjoining, as well as badly scorching the Gehrig bungalow. Firemen were fortunate in being supplied with a splendid force of water. This because of the fact that the twelve inch main from the Pottsville dams being on Garfield Avenue and crossing Centre Avenue only several hundred feet from the Meitzler plant. Mr. Meitzler was not aware of the fire until awakened shortly before four o'clock and after the plant was almost totally destroyed, by a telephone call from E. B. Pflueger, local insurance agent. It took him only a few minutes to come from his home on West Columbia Street. Her could give no explanation or cause of the fire. The plant was without a night watchman, but every precaution was always taken in the operation of the plant to guard against a fire. As soon as an insurance adjustment is made, Mr. Meitzler intends rebuilding the plant. The concrete block walls are little damaged excepting on the front of the building where a portion may have to be ripped out. The mass of twisted, fabricated steel from the building and the twisted machinery and supplies of the plant were viewed during the week by a large number of people. Most every machine passing through town on Centre Avenue came to a stop nearby and the occupants alighted and viewed the scene. By splendid work the flames were prevented from completely destroying the portion of the building occupied as the office. While the flames ate through the partitions and scorched the office equipment, they were prevented from completely consuming the contents by a stream of water and later by chemicals. A great deal of credit is being given to the members of the local fire companies for their very quick response and splendid work. It was at once apparent upon arrival of the firemen that the Meitzler structure was doomed. There was an uncertainty as to what moment the exploding combustible material in the building would send out a stream of flame over nearby property. This however did not occur. A fairly stiff breeze fanned the flames away from the Boyer garage but took them in the path of the nearby frame buildings. On many of the house roofs nearby could be seen persons who were prepared to beat out sparks that were being carried overhead for quite some distance. Thick, black clouds of smoke topped off the flames that leaped high in the air and appeared to mount higher and higher as more and more combustible material appeared to be fed it. The roar of the flames, as that of a high waterfall or river, could be heard for some distance and with it could be heard the frequent explosions. During the fire, different persons were heard to inquire concerning the large police dog owned by Mr. Meitzler and which was kept in the plant. Fortunately for this animal, he died several weeks ago. Another comment heard from many persons was that concerning the result of the fire had it occurred several weeks ago when the water supply was very low. There is no doubt about it, the flames would have communicated to additional nearby buildings and the extent of the fire may have been very great, despite the fact that the fire trustees of town had made arrangements to pump water from the creek that crosses Centre Avenue. A fire on this same avenue and almost directly across the street from the Meitzler plant very badly gutted the Reidler Knitting Mill on Saturday morning at 1:30 o'clock, August 10th, 1929 and threw out of employment fifty persons. The cause of the Meitzler fire has not been exactly determined. One cause is that of short circuit wires on a smashed auto that was brought into the shop on Tuesday for repairs. All records in the office are believed to have escaped damage. Some papers may be scorched but examination of some in the desks revealed little damage. The roof of the building covering the part occupied as an office was not completely burned away. |
The Call of April 3, 1931 HELD FOR THEFT FROM FIRE RUINS Harry and William Seitz of Pottsville were held under $300 bail for court by Squire Kline on the charge of larceny preferred against them by A. E. Meitzler. The case was the result of the local police officers having discovered the men in the act of stealing materials and equipment from the fire ruins of the Meitzler works on Centre Avenue. The men were carrying equipment to their parked auto on Garfield Avenue between eight and nine o'clock Wednesday evening. When confronted by the officers, the car contained a spreader jack that occupied almost the entire length of a touring car, a blow torch, several jacks and several vises. While these two men were at the Squire's office awaiting, Mr. Meitzler happened to go out to his place of business and there discovered another group of men loading up some of the materials from the ruins into a machine. The men offered the information that, "There must have been a fire here." Meitzler said there was a fire. "We're taking brass and some of this other material away and expect to sell it to a junk dealer for good money." "Yes!", said Meitzler. "Who gave you permission to take it away?" "Meitzler did and oh well, he won't care anyway." Mr. Meitzler, however then most emphatically told them he did care and ordered them from the place. |
The Call of April 17, 1931 SATURDAY EVENING FIRE BRINGS OUT DEPARTMENT Fire, early Saturday evening was discovered on the second story of an unoccupied portion of the frame Lebanon Paper Box Company. When the fire was first discovered, flames and thick smoke were shooting out of the windows of the second floor. A prompt response of the three fire companies, the Liberty being first on the scene, prevented what might have been a serious fire. The flames were quickly extinguished after three streams of water were played on them for a short time. The fire started round and about several crates of paper boxes stored in that portion of the building for a number of years. Nothing but these several crates were stored on this floor. A thick firewall with fire doors prevented the flames from getting into the portion of the building used by Mr. Scott for the manufacture of boxes. Examination of the premises shows the flames spread outward and upward from the crates. A portion of the rafters of the roof were burned as well as the flooring and window frames near where the crates of boxes had been stored. The flooring directly underneath the location of the crates was not burned, it hardly being scorched. The heat being intense, nearly ninety six panes of glass in the numerous windows of the second floor were cracked or broken. Firemen, all of whom were attired in their Saturday evening or Sunday best clothes, certainly must be complimented for their work and willingness to ruin or damage their clothing to fight fire. |
The Call of July 15, 1932 OVERHEATED STOVE CAUSES FIRE HERE Fire starting about five o'clock Wednesday afternoon, badly gutted contents and the second story of a frame building of James Lash, located to the rear of South Garfield Avenue, Berger Street. The building is used by Mr. Lash as a garage and storage house for paints, etc. on the first floor. The second floor is used by Kimber Fenstermacher and Oliver Ditzler as bachelor quarters. Their furniture, consisting of new kitchen cabinet, new bedroom suite, etc., were entirely destroyed. Smoke was first discovered along Dock Street and for a time it was so thick that the location of the fire could not be exactly determined. Neighbors, with garden hoses, were first at work and soon were assisted by Rainbow Hose Company. A stream of water within a few minutes time extinguished the blaze. Firemen however, were at first unable to get close enough to use chemicals by reason of the intense heat. The inside of the building is charred and the furniture and contents badly damaged. The cause of the fire is said to have been an overheated stove in which it is said a fresh fire had been started. Only one of the three companies went into service. The Schuylkill Hose Company had lines of hose run to the fire but when they came to pump water from the plug at the corner of Broadway, they could not do so. Examination, according to reports made to this newspaper, were to the effect that this plug, a new one and recently placed, had not as yet been tested or put into service. The water had not yet been turned into it. |
The Call of October 28, 1932 FIREMEN CALLED OUT SUNDAY Firemen of Schuylkill Haven were called to fight what threatened to be a stubborn fire, Sunday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock, when a stable at the rear end of the Pflueger Estate property on Main Street was discovered a mass of flames. Almost as soon as the fire was discovered, smoke in thick clouds shot skyward and immediately flames too leaped high in the air. Forgetting all about Sunday attire, firemen soon had several lines of water and also of chemicals on the flames and within twenty minutes, the fire was pronounced out by Chief Sausser. The building, of one and a half story frame construction, had been used as a storage house and garage. The autos of Russel Phillips and of Barber Lehman, usually stored in the building were not in it Sunday afternoon. The flames burned big portions of the roof and the sides of the upper story. The building, it was stated by the owner, will be razed. During the progress of the fire, the flames leaped across the property line and ignited the side of the Lazos property at the end of the lot. Chemicals were used to extinguish the flames here. The scene of the fire was very close to the scene of the disastrous fire several years ago when the Michel property was burned, and Sunday afternoon, until the firemen had the flames under control, there was some uneasiness lest the flames communicate with the other nearby buildings and result in another serious fire. |
The Call of December 2, 1932 FIRE DEPARTMENT OUT FOR BURNING AUTO An auto in flames on Saint Peter Street brought out the entire fire department Monday morning, just the time many folks were about to crawl into bed. It was 12:15 when the fire siren's notes sounded. It was found that the auto of Russel Strause was in flames, and was on Saint Peter Street, about one hundred feet from the Schuylkill Hose house. Chemicals from a fire extinguisher on the truck of the Liberty Company served to save the machine from destruction. Mr. Strause states he was pushing the auto of Mr. Wilson, which became stalled on the Orwigsburg state road. When he reached a point midway between the state road and East Main Street, his car burst into flames. It way believed the fire was caused by the emergency brake having been on . With the flames coming up through the floor boards, Mr. Strause drove the car into town and onto Saint Peter Street, expecting to be able to get a fire extinguisher at the Schuylkill Hose house. This building however, was locked. It was then that the fire alarm box nearby was pulled. The companies responded in a remarkably short time. The loss to the machine was not very great. |
The Call of February 24, 1933 SOUTH WARD HOME DAMAGED BY FIRE AND WATER Fire, Thursday afternoon, completely ruined the interior of the two and a half story brick dwelling on the northwest corner of Columbia and Saint Charles Streets in Schuylkill Haven. The furniture and household goods of Mrs. Minnie Shirey, who with her five children, occupied the home, was badly damaged, particularly by the tremendous amount of water that had to be poured into the building to extinguish the flames, which seemed to be between the rafters. The fire was discovered by neighbors who ran into the home and appraised Mrs. Shirey of the fact that her home was afire. Smoke was issuing from underneath the roof and from an upper story window. The lower rooms too, rapidly filled with smoke, making it almost impossible for the neighbors who responded to save much of the furniture. Some of the pieces from the lower floors were saved but that on the upper floors and all of the clothing of the mother and the children whose ages are two, five, eleven, thirteen and seventeen years, was ruined either by smoke or water. The furniture in one of the upper rooms, that had just been placed for the use of a daughter of Mrs. Shirey, who was wedded during the week, was also badly damaged by smoke and water. The three companies responded and with a high wind blowing, no time was lost in getting four streams of water into the building, as well as several streams of chemical. Even with the large amount of water and chemical fluid, smoke continued to pour from the upper windows in thick clouds. The Schuylkill Hose had two streams playing on the fire while the Rainbow and Liberty each had one stream. Chemical hose was used by the companies also. Perhaps for the first time in a great many years, included in the story of a Schuylkill Haven fire, can be the statement that the water supply and pressure was more than sufficient. It was unnecessary to use the pumpers, the pressure in the mains being sufficient for all purposes. Three sections of hose burst for one of the companies and one connection of the Y at the pumper of the Rainbow Hose Company fell apart. Only the latter perhaps, was due to the water pressure. The bursting of the hose was due more to bad hose, the occurrence again most forcibly demonstrating the importance and need for drying towers or racks in the fire houses so that the fire hose can be properly aired and dried after use. It is believed the fire was caused by an overheated chimney. There were in use in the home, a kitchen range and living room heater, neither of which, however, it was stated, were heated to any degree. The property was formerly the Benneville Eckert home. It is now owned by the Schuylkill Trust Company. The damage will amount to several hundred dollars while the loss to the occupants is equally as heavy. |
The Call of September 11, 1931 ALMSHOUSE BARN DESTROYED BY FIRE Mike Lipco, who has been an inmate at the Schuylkill County Almshouse for four years, is being detained in the Town Hall cell on suspicion of having deliberately set fire to the barn at the Almshouse, Wednesday evening. He will be given a hearing before Squire Kline on Friday and unless he confesses to the act, will be remanded to jail to await further developments as the Schuylkill Haven police have gathered together quite a great deal of evidence that seems to connect him with the crime and is sufficient to hold him on suspicion. Lipco was noticed coming down Garfield Avenue at three o'clock in the morning by Officer Singer. Singer followed and overtook him at Connor and inquired of him his name. The name given was sufficient for the officer as it was the name given to the police by Steward William Powell immediately following the fire. The man had a fallout with the steward on Wednesday and was ordered off the premises. He was heard to remark quite boldly that "he would get even with the steward." At the time of his arrest, he was somewhat under the influence of liquor and liquor was taken from his clothing. He denied all knowledge of the fire but later admitted that while he was sleeping in the Union Cemetery, he happened to get awake and said, "What's going on?" When taken near to the scene of the fire, he would not look at the ruins but gave it a sly side glance and then smiled. Investigation soon revealed that he had purchased coal oil at the store of Mrs. John Bubeck at seven o'clock Wednesday evening. Mrs. Bubeck identified him. First he denied having made the purchase and then admitted he did and that he used it to rub on his limbs. Witnesses have been procured that claim they saw the fellow running from the barn down into a ditch nearby and then running along the Lehigh Valley Railroad toward the cemetery. The fire at the barn started at the Schuylkill Haven end of the building, where there is a doorway that leads to a ladder to the top of the loft. Evidences of oil or gasoline having been used to start the fire, is said to also have been discovered by those who first reached the scene. The fellow has maintained innocence, but his efforts have shown that he is pretty well hardened and very sly. Pete Gallagan, night gatekeeper, sent the fire alarm to the Schuylkill Haven light plant. The whistle at the Almshouse light plant was tied down and both alarms went off about the same time but not until the entire upper part of the building was in flames. Attention of employees was directed and efforts given to the saving of the livestock so that no water was poured onto the flames until the arrival of the fire companies from Schuylkill Haven. Five streams of water were finally turned on the flames but the building and contents were doomed and it apparently appeared to be just that much wasted effort and water. The terrific heat drove bystanders back to within a hundred yards or more while the fire was at its height. Several streams were ordered off about ten o'clock but two were continued until about eleven thirty. At daybreak water was again thrown on the mass that had begun to flare up. This was continued until 8:30 a.m., when the fire departments of town removed their apparatus. All during the day at frequent intervals water was poured onto the smoking ruins that frequently burst out into flame, from a line of hose, the property of the Almshouse. The full six pieces of the Schuylkill Haven Fire Department had been rushed to the scene and all put into service, excepting one. The Liberty Company worked with chemicals on the pig stable as did also the Friendship Fire Company Number One of Orwigsburg. The Liberty Company pumped two streams of water from the plug in the yard near the gatekeeper's office. The Rainbow Hose pumped from another plug and the Schuylkill Hose pumped form the creek at a point near the highway. The creek was dammed up for this purpose and this work in itself was a very dirty job and very nauseating by reason of the filthy condition of the creek. The odor from the water thrown from this stream was noticeable all about the premises. The Good Will of Cressona and the Citizen's Number One of Palo Alto also responded but their pumpers were not put into service. Hundreds and hundreds of persons were attracted to the scene of the fire. Along the highway, for some distance cars were parked until ordered moved by the highway patrolmen, who at the time were busy directing traffic near the Fair. The upper end of East Main Street afforded an excellent point from which to view the flames and even at this great distance the heat of the fire was wafted into the faces of the spectators. The road to Bowen's Grove was almost completely blocked for a time and the fields adjoining were used for parking places for hundreds of machines. A large number of the north and southbound traffic passing by the scene stopped for a period as the fire made a spectacular appearance. Immediately upon learning the location of the fire, twelve or more Scouts from Troop 2 of Schuylkill Haven went to the scene and assisted in directing traffic. Long into the night there were few motorists that passed on the road and did not first stop for a time to view the fire from the highway or from the nearby fields. Temporary quarters for the cows and horses have been established in the large barn on the opposite side of the road. Thursday afternoon, repairs to the pig stable were begun. The barn destroyed had been rebuilt in 1874 after being completely destroyed by fire. J. H. Minnig, who at the time was the teamster at the institution, relates about the excitement that then prevailed. The fire occurred at night during the summer. One cow and a calf were burned to death and the crops were also destroyed. |
The Call of November 13, 1931 FOUR YEARS FOR SETTING FIRE TO ALMSHOUSE BARN For setting fire to the large barn at the County Almshouse, on the evening of September 9th, Mike Lipko, a former inmate at the institution, was given four to eight years in jail. The jury that heard the evidence during this week's session of criminal court was out just about one half hour. The indictment presented was for arson and was brought by County Detective Buono for the Commonwealth. The evidence against Lipko was gathered and put into shape by Burgess Scott and the police officers of Schuylkill Haven. Lipko denied all knowledge of the affair. Evidence submitted, however, proved that he had made threats against Steward Powell of "getting even" for having discharged him from the institution and that he had purchased coal oil from Mrs. John Bubeck's store and had been refused coal oil at Heister Klahr's store. Photographs had been taken of the immediate vicinity of the Almshouse barn showing a deep gully or ditch near to and its very close proximity to a door of the barn from which it was stated he had been seen running and jumping into the ditch. These were also used as evidence. Evidence was submitted by Steward Powell, by Luke Fisher, by two inmates of the institution, by Mayor Scott, Officer Singer, Mrs. John Bubeck, Heister Klahr and Reuben Bair. |
The Call of March 24, 1932 TWO SLIGHT FIRES IN LOCAL MILL Two slight fires last week at the J. F. Bast Knitting Mill of Schuylkill Haven were quite sufficient to provide more than enough excitement and annoyance for members of this firm. Fortunately, a sprinkler system in the mill extinguished one of the fires and the timely discovery of the second one prevented what would have been a serious fire. Aside from the excitement incident to the fires and the loss sustained, is the uncertainty to the cause of the same. This latter fact has the firm somewhat puzzled. The first one of the fires was discovered last Tuesday morning about 8:30 o'clock when water began to drop from the ceiling. Employees noting the same reported to the office and an investigation was begun. It was first thought that a water pipe had burst in a room used for the storing of goods. This room is kept locked. However, when the door was unlocked, a rush of water greeted the men. Smoke also poured from the room. The sprinkler system had done its work and had extinguished a blaze in a large quantity of finished goods. The sprinkler system was still poring water down upon the area affected. This was first shut off and windows facing on the Schuylkill River, but fifty or more feet above its level, were opened. The fire had been completely extinguished, but large quantities of silk on large rolls, silk yarns, silk tapes, and threads had been soaked with water. A conservative estimate of the damage was given at $6000. Tuesday morning, when Mr. Bast arrived at the mill, the night watchman reported having quite a scare early in the morning, making the remark that during the heavy electrical storm of Tuesday morning, the mill seemed to be surrounded by a ball of fire. This preceded a heavy crash of thunder. Only one electric socket, suspended from the ceiling, was in the storage room. The lamp had not been kept in the light socket. Examination showed the fire started at a point underneath the electric light socket. Thursday morning's discovery of a fire between the weather boards of the frame section of the mill was even more fortunate. Mr. William Schweigert in going to a certain part of the basement, noticed the smoke. Other men called could not at first discover the cause. For some time they continued their investigation without result and then one noticed flames licking their way up between a partition. Fire extinguishers were used freely with good result. Had the fire not been discovered and the flames gained headway in the frame partition, a more serious fire would have resulted. No explanation of the cause of the second slight fire can be figured out by the members of the firm. |
The Call of September 29, 1933 TRIED TO GET CHEWING GUM FROM FIRE ALARM BOX The entire fire department of the town was called into service shortly before one o'clock Tuesday afternoon but fortunately the alarm of fire was a false one. The alarm was sent in from Box 18, the corner of Jacques and Broadway or near the Buechley Lumber Yard. Several false fire alarms have been sent in during the past several years and in no case was the party apprehended , but in this case it was different and the defender appears to have been an innocent youngster doing his second year in school. Fire Chief Claude Sausser happened to be passing the Schuylkill Hose house on Tuesday and heard the alarm registering in the fire house. He noted the location and quickly getting the light chemical truck out, drove to the location and arrived just about the time the fire whistle began to sound the alarm for the second time. He noticed a group of children in the vicinity and making an investigation, soon learned the name of the child. The youngster, not realizing what he had done, innocently told the story of how older children had told him that with his penny he could get chewing gum from the fire alarm box. Not being able to find the customary slot on the fire box that is on the chewing gum machines, he was told if he would pull the lever he would get a stick of gum free. He promptly did as told but no gum came from the machine. For the protection of the general public, parents could well give their children a talking to about the practice of tampering or even touching fire alarm boxes. They might also impress upon them the gravity of the offense and the danger in sending in fire alarms "to see the fire engines go by," as is frequently done in large cities. |
The Call of February 2, 1934 THREE ALARMS OF FIRE HERE IN SIX HOURS Schuylkill Haven had three alarms of fire Tuesday within a period of six hours. Fortunately, by reason of the discovery in good time and the prompt arrival of the firemen, the loss was not very great in any one of the fires. The first alarm was sounded shortly after five o'clock in the afternoon when fire was discovered at the home of Reverend John Reber on Market Street. It was caused by an overheated terra cotta pipe from the furnace in the cellar. The pipe had been built close against the joists and the washboard and had ignited in the stairway. Chemicals were used and the flames extinguished without any great amount of damage. Considerable excitement, for a time, was caused as much smoke was seen to be coming from the building. At seven o'clock on the same evening, the fire department was again sent for and chemicals from one of the pieces of apparatus was used to extinguish flames in the same residence. Fire, which evidently had been smoldering from the overheated furnace pipe broke out in a closet on the second floor. Not any great amount of damage was done. About 11:30 o'clock, the third alarm of fire was blown, as flames had been discovered leaping from the building of the Schuylkill Haven Provision Company on Margaretta Street. The fire had been discovered by two employees. Messrs. Moyer and Ketner, who were at work in the building. The alarm was sent in by them and upon the arrival of the department, chemicals were used. Until the arrival of the department, the fire had been fought with extinguishers and a bucket brigade. For a time it looked as if the entire frame structure would be burned. Hose lines were immediately laid but the flames were soon under control by the use of chemicals. The fire, it is believed, was caused by an overheated chimney constructed of cinder block. The chimney passed between two sections of the office and very close to woodwork in the partition. This became ignited and spread rapidly. Office furniture and equipment was damaged to considerable extent. |
The Call of April 20, 1934 CHIMNEY FIRE HERE MONDAY Fire in the chimney, Monday afternoon, did considerable damage to the home on Haven Street occupied by Attorney Luther Bashore and family. The discovery was made about two o'clock and when firemen responded, they found thick smoke curling out from underneath the roof on all sides. The entire house was filled with smoke and it looked as if the entire house was afire. Nevertheless there was no sign of flames. Not until firemen chopped through the wall on the first floor were flames found. Chemicals were used but the fire had evidently been burning for some time and it required quite a time before firemen were sent home. Despite the fact that the fire alarm ward whistle sounded the South ward, firemen were prompt to arrive at the scene which was in the East Ward. The floors and walls were badly soaked with chemicals and walls had to be torn open at a number of places to make sure all fire had been extinguished. Hose lines were laid and were in readiness for use and water sent through one of the lines for a few minutes that the result that a section of hose of the Schuylkill's burst. Fortunately, the rear of the home did not have as steep a pitch as the front part of the house. This saved three firemen who were on top of the roof, probably severe injuries, as they slid off, and only were enabled to stop their progress when they reached the rear portion of the roof. |
The Call of January 3, 1936 FIRE DESTROYS AUTO EARLY SATURDAY MORNING Fire, last Saturday morning at four thirty o'clock, was discovered in the garage of Henry Hummel on Coal Street and brought the entire fire department to the scene. Smoke in thick and heavy clouds was rolling from the building and flames could be seen confined to one corner near the rear of the building. Breaking through a pane of glass, the flames were detected as confined to one particular spot and this was at once noticed to be an automobile. Chemicals and booster pressure water lines were used to good effect. The rear door of the garage was finally forced open and firemen braved the smoke and pulled out the car which was still afire and belching forth volumes of smoke. The side of the building and the ceiling were burned somewhat and large areas scorched. The machine, a second hand Pontiac, was almost completely ruined. It is believed the fire started in the car and it is understood the same had been placed in the garage for the night but a few hours earlier. In addition to the damage to this machine and the building, a Pontiac of Homer Zimmerman, stored in the garage, was badly damaged. The same will have to be repainted, the top and inside of the car also must be given a complete overhauling. The auto of Miss Edna Klahr, also stored in this building, was damaged but not to any great extent. The fire was discovered by Elmer Moyer, who resides nearby, who being awakened by one of his children, noticed the reflection in the garage. He turned in an alarm. The building is a large frame one and was some years ago occupied by a garage by George Stump and later by Henry Hummel. Hummel now occupies a large brick garage on Centre Avenue and uses the frame building for occasional storage purposes. |
The Call of January 24, 1936 OVERHEATED FLUE CAUSED FIRE THURSDAY MORNING Fire, Thursday morning, about eight o'clock, in the home of Franklin Felty of North Berne Street, resulted in the destruction of all of the wearing apparel of the entire family of four, damage to carpets and furniture and several rooms of the home. The fire was caused by an overheated flue from the hot air furnace in the cellar. The flue extended from the furnace to the upper rooms of the home through a partition. This flue became hot and ignited the woodwork surrounding it. The wall in the kitchen was damaged and some of the furniture. In the closet on the second floor near top the flue, all of the clothing was destroyed. Ceiling, walls and woodwork in the second story rooms were damaged. Furniture in the living room on the first floor was also damaged. Mr. Felty stated to The Call man that all of the clothing, excepting that which they were wearing for both him and his wife and two children, had been destroyed. It was stated that the draft on the furnace had been set up in the morning between four and five o'clock. At the time the fire was discovered Mr. Felty was in bed and was awakened by the smoke. The wife was at work and the maid was busy downstairs and had not noticed the smoke. Mr. and Mrs. Felty began housekeeping last summer with practically all new furniture, much of which is ruined. The Liberty Fire Company was the first company to respond. Chemicals were used with telling effect and although the flames had broken through the weather boarding on the outside and smoke poured from the windows. Firemen and the public were somewhat "at sea" by reason of the fire siren not being blown and only the three blasts indicating fire in the South Ward. This is explained by the fact that the fire siren was found to be frozen. The first alarm was sent in to the light plant by telephone and when the men at the plant attempted to use the siren, they found they could not. The ward signals were then sounded. Later, the alarm was sent in from a box in the neighborhood and the ward signals again sounded. Fire trucks experienced quite some difficulty in getting to the scene of the fire by reason of the drifted condition of the streets from the high winds of Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Fortunately for the entire section of Berne Street and the fire department, the fire was discovered before it had made any great headway and fortunate too, was the fact that the fire had not broken out during the midst of the very high wind during the early morning hours. For a time, concern was felt by the next door neighbors of the Felty home, for the reason that the body of Mrs. Freeman Boyer laid cold in death in the Shollenberger home. An odd coincidence in connection with the fire is that in front of the Felty home, corner of Caldwell and Berne Streets, is a fire plug. Inquiry regarding whether it would have been possible to obtain water from the plug or any other fire plug in town, brought the information that it should be possible to do so because it is not felt that the water in the service line to the plugs, three to four feet underground, is frozen. This of course, would hold good only in case all of the plugs are in perfect condition so that all surplus water drains from the plugs. |
The Call of June 5, 1936 FIRE DESTROYED GARAGE SUNDAY On Sunday afternoon, fire completely destroyed a small, frame, unoccupied garage, owned by Edwin Lindermuth at the rear of Paxson Avenue near Haven Street. The flames leaped high and across a narrow alley and ignited the weatherboards of the home of George Cripple. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cripple suffered considerably from shock. The flames threatened destruction of this house before the arrival of the fire department. Several streams of water were put on the blaze but the garage was almost burned down before the arrival of the department. Paint on several homes nearby was badly scorched and shrubbery and grapevines in the yards of nearby residents were destroyed. The fire also ate out a section of the grass plot of A. R. Maberry and in his garden, shrubbery was destroyed and some grapevines. A large elm tree on the Haven Street side of the Maberry lot was badly scorched by the heat and several window glasses in the rear of this home cracked from the heat. A large iron pipe flag pole was bent and dropped to the ground from the heat. At the Cripple home, the flames were just about beginning to eat their way through the weatherboards at the top of the front part of the house facing the fire. A corner of the cornice on the house of Jim Confehr had ignited from the flames but was discovered in time. The heat was intense and from the flaming garage arose thick clouds of black smoke that could be seen all over town. The tardiness in the arrival of the fire department was due to no negligence on the part of the firemen. The alarm was sent in first from box Number 17 at the corner of Dock Street and Paxson Avenue. The siren on the light plant was not blown for fully eight minutes after this was done. Had it not been for the fact that a telephone message was sent direct to the light plant, the whistle might not have been blown at all. Investigation showed the fire alarm system was not in the best of working condition. At the light plant, the inside electric siren blew and called the men at the plant to the board. On the tape however, only single punches were recorded. This indicated a test, as it was told to The Call man. At the Rainbow Hose Company fire house, the ticker showed the alarm was sent in from boxes 21, 12 and 17 and investigation shows that the alarm had been sent in from these three different boxes, being Main and Grant Streets, Haven and Hess Streets, and Dock Street and Paxson Avenue. At both the Schuylkill and the Liberty fire houses, the ticker showed the alarm had been sent in from box 17 at Dock Street and Paxson Avenue. Not any of these alarms were registered at the electric light plant. It is understood the fire alarm system is tested weekly. However, it certainly was in bad shape on Sunday afternoon. The loss to the properties will total several hundred dollars. The cause of the fire has not been determined, although it is stated it might have been started by youngsters who were playing in the same. |
The Call of May 28, 1937 FIRE DESTROYS HOME DURING HEAVY STORM Thursday afternoon, Schuylkill Haven was visited by one of the hardest and most severe electrical storms in years. Rain descended in torrents and the electric flashes were frequent and sharp and accompanied by deafening peals of thunder. Lightning struck at five different parts of the town, one resulting in complete destruction of a home. The first alarm was sent in for fire at the home of Mrs. Frank Heim of Saint John and Union Streets. Lightning struck on top of the roof near a roof opening. Smoke was seen coming from the roof. Fire Chief Claude Sausser, upon investigating, found fire in the woodwork between the uppermost floor and roof of the building. Water was used and the flames quickly extinguished. As the firemen were responding to the Heim fire, another alarm was sent in. This was from the extreme northern end of the town, Willow Lake. When firemen arrived, they found the bungalow of Mr. Paul Ney, close to the Mellon Skating Rink, in flames. The structure was completely destroyed, together with all the contents including all furniture and clothing. A stream of water was used by the Rainbow Hose Company but the building was too far gone when discovered to save it. The bungalow was located between the carousel building and another large bungalow at Willow Lake. The husband is employed at the Reider Shoe Factory. The family had recently purchased new furniture. Not an article of furniture was saved. The wife had gone to her mother's home during the storm and the only clothing, therefore that the family has is that which they wore at the time. The American Legion last evening took action to accept contributions of cash money or clothing for this family. At the Legion meeting, quite a bit of cash was contributed and Friday morning, more cash was received. Persons who wish to help contributing clothing, furniture or cash, should please notify W. V. Young or Fred Burkert. The Ney family carried no insurance and are therefore worthy of the charity of the public. Lightning also struck at the home of Harvey Heim. The bolt hit the chimney but fortunately did not do any great damage. The five kilowatt transformer on Willow Street was struck and ignited and completely destroyed. Electric service was shut off for a time until another connection could be made. Lightning also struck in at the Refowich Theatre and blew out the large main switch. |
The Call of June 25, 1937 TIMELY DISCOVERY OF FIRE SAVES FIRE HOUSE Saturday morning, shortly before the six o'clock whistle blew, the members of the Schuylkill Fire Company were required to put out a fire in their own fire house on Saint Peter Street. And by the way, had this fire not been discovered just in the nick of time, adjoining frame dwellings and garages would surely have been ignited and there would have been an honest to goodness fire in town. The fire was discovered by a Mr. Hinkle, who sent in the siren alarm connected at the fire house. This siren aroused people in the neighborhood and firemen nearby. Fire Chief Claude Sausser, living in the vicinity, was one of the first to respond. He thought sure the fire apparatus housed on the first floor would be destroyed immediately, so he quickly drove the same out of the fire house. Ray Hummel sent in the alarm and brought the entire fire department to the scene. Water from booster tanks and chemicals were used with good effect and the flames extinguished but not before a considerable amount of damage had been done. The fire evidently started in an old couch sitting in a corner of the social rooms on the second floor. This was entirely destroyed. One window frame was burned out entirely. All of the woodwork in the room was blistered. The linoleum and carpet was burned in spots. All of the glass in a number of windows on the second floor was broken from the heat. The glass in the pictures on the walls was broken. The papering is all discolored and the woodwork on the walls is all blistered. Some idea of the intense heat can be obtained when it is known that the heavy wood of a corner of a pool table had already ignited. The fire evidently had been burning or smoldering for some time and when discovered, clouds of smoke rolled from the building. The loss will amount to several hundred dollars. |
The Call of July 16, 1937 SLIGHT FIRE AT KAUFMAN'S DAIRY Fire, a few minutes after midnight Wednesday, was discovered at Kaufman's dairy. Someone sent in the fire alarm and the entire fire department responded. Water from the Rainbow Company's booster tank was used and in a few minutes was all over. And then the public began to arrive in automobiles and on foot and in a few minutes time there was an unusually large crowd of persons on hand. Streets for squares about were filled and somewhat blocked with autos. And then it began to rain and what a ducking a large number of persons, who came unprepared for rain, received. Mr. Kaufman states the fire started in a small room where milk bottle caps were stored. Several cases of these were destroyed. The flames communicated to the woodwork and were working up through an air shaft. He estimates the damage at $250. |
The Call of December 10, 1937 EARLY THURSDAY MORNING FIRE HERE Fire, Thursday morning about eight o'clock, did damage to the contents of the State Liquor store and the Schwartz Money Back Store, both in the Gabul Luongo building on Saint John Street, two doors south of the Call. The cause of the fire was an overheated heating plant in the basement and directly under the rear of the liquor store. The flames ate their way through the flooring after having burned off several rafters. Smoke poured from the rear end of the building in thick clouds and also through the second story of the building occupied as apartments. The family of the owner, Gabul Luongo, residing directly above the Liquor Store, to the rear of the building, was appraised of the fire by one of the employees. Mr. Luongo has been on the sick list for the past few days. His wife has been practically an invalid for the past several years. She was quickly removed from the building and taken to the home of her stepson in Orwigsburg. Furniture and clothing in the apartments of Mrs. Mae Fetter, Mr. and Mrs. Christ Kantner and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Rizzuto, also residing in the building, were damaged somewhat by the heavy smoke that got into them. The entire stock of the Schwartz store was damaged by smoke. Some of the stock in the State Liquor Store, that was standing directly at or near to the hottest part of the fire, exploded. A number of cases of wet goods were broken and contents spilled about when they slipped from their storage shelving as the result of the cardboard packages becoming water soaked. New labels will have to be placed on a number of bottles of various liquors, the originals having been loosened by the water that got on them. This stock will have to be returned. An inventory of the stock of this store had been completed and new goods for the Christmas trade had been received. While the amount of stock ordinarily carried at this store totals but $4000 to $5000, the stock on hand Thursday morning inventoried close to $10,000. Two lines of hose were quickly put into service upon the arrival of the fire companies, both being directed through the cellar windows to the seat of the fire. |
The Call of December 24, 1937 WEDNESDAY EVENING FIRE DOES DAMAGE OF $500 The fire siren at the electric light plant struck fear into the hearts of many who had left their homes to do Christmas shopping and other business, Wednesday evening about six o'clock, and sent the local fire department hurrying to the scene of the fire in the North Ward. Neighbors discovered fire and smoke coming from the roof of the brick and frame dwelling of Mrs. George Ehly at 301 Haven Street and occupied for a number of years by Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Stank and family. Almost instantly the roof was a mass of flames. The dwelling is located directly to the rear of the Ehly Bakery and the North Ward school building. The fire spread so rapidly that it appeared for a short time as if another very serious fire had its beginning but the fire laddies of the Rainbow Hose Company got their fire apparatus on the scene and had a hose line playing on the blaze even before the general alarm siren was sounded, it is said, and after the arrival of other apparatus and firemen, and a desperate struggle, the fire was brought under control with a minimum amount of damage. In the meantime, firemen together with others cleared the home of all furniture and thus prevented any loss from this angle. Mr. and Mrs. Stank were profuse in their praise and thanks to the firemen for their prompt and efficient action. The cause of the fire can be traced to only one thing, the supposition that a spark from a passing locomotive or from a nearby chimney wafted onto the roof, which is of wood shingles, smoldered and later was fanned into flame from the winds. Mrs. Stank had just a few minutes before finished her task of completely cleaning for the Christmas holidays and Mr. Stank was asleep in an upstairs bedroom at the time the fore was discovered. During the late evening, firemen from the Rainbow Hose Company placed a canvas covering over the destroyed portion of the roof to protect it from the elements until repairs can be made. The owner estimates her loss at about $500 to the roof and water damage to the plastering. |
The Call of December 31, 1937 TUESDAY EVENING FIRE QUICKLY UNDER CONTROL Schuylkill Haven's fourth fire in twenty four days, Tuesday evening, was through good judgement on the part of the fire department, extinguished without and great loss from fire or water. The fire was discovered about 6:30 o'clock in the warehouse of the Felix property on Saint John Street, now occupied by the furniture store of Hunsicker and Lentz. It was found that the fire was contained entirely to the corner of the second story of one of two adjoining buildings used as warehouses. It was directly over the rear part of the building used as a store room. Three lines of fire hose were quickly laid but not put into service. There was a great deal of smoke pouring from the building. Fire Chief Sausser headed several of the firemen who first made an examination to find out just where the fire was located. Streams of water from the booster tanks were used and in a short time the fire was under control and soon entirely extinguished. The fact that smoke continued to pour out of the upper portion of the building for some time gave many persons the idea that there was considerable fire and that it was not under control. This was not the case as the firemen shortly after their arrival and the discovery of the exact location of the fire, had the matter fully in hand. The fire seemed to have started in a small elevator platform, the same being stationed on the second floor. The woodwork of the elevator and some of the flooring and rafters of the roof were burned. Only a small part of the furniture stored near the elevator shaft was burned. And with the careful use of water only a small amount of water came through into the first floor of the furniture store. Fire loss adjusters who made an examination Wednesday praised the local fire department for the splendid manner in which the fire was fought and in preventing great damage from the use of water. |
The Call of September 30, 1938 FIRE DID $1500 DAMAGE SUNDAY EVENING Fire Sunday evening did damage to the furniture of Ebert Jones and others in the Knauss Apartments, formerly the Coleman Apartments on Saint Peter Street. Its timely discovery prevented what might have been a serious fire. It was discovered shortly after six o'clock. Upon the arrival of the firemen, smoke was coming from the rear windows of the Jones apartment on the second floor of the building. Water from the booster pumps was used after the high ladders had been put into position. The fire seemed to have started in a closet in the kitchen but had burned through the ceiling to the floor above. Other rooms in this apartment were damaged by fire and smoke as was the furniture. The water soaked through to the apartments on the first floor occupied by Morris Hettinger and Isaac Kempner and damaged furniture as well as the walls and ceiling. The Kempner family was not at home and had an unpleasant surprise upon their arrival in town and upon opening their apartment several days later. The apartments in this building had recently been given a complete overhauling. The damage to apartment and furniture may total $2000. There was some delay in notifying the fire department of the fire. A nearby neighbor, smelling smoke, investigated and made the discovery. Hurrying to a nearby fire alarm box, he sent in the alarm but there was no response through the fire alarm whistle at the plant. The alarm however, at the fire houses, was sounded and the fire companies were on their way to the fire before the fire siren sent its screeching tones over the town. The alarm was sent in from another box in the vicinity. Examination of the alarm box nearest the scene of the fire showed that a small spring in the mechanism had been broken. |
The Call of March 15, 1940 SIX YEAR OLD PUTS OUT FIRE Tuesday afternoon around four o'clock, George Seiler Jr., six year old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Seiler of Saint John Street, overturned a box of matches while fixing a kite in the kitchen. While replacing the matches in the box, one became ignited and set fire to the cottage curtain at the window. The window shade and the roller to which it was attached also burned. The child, who was alone in the house at the time, beat the flames with a broom and when the fire spread to the wallpaper on the ceiling and he could not reach it with a broom, he threw water on the ceiling. After the fire was extinguished, the boy went out on the front porch and cried. Neighbors, who heard him, investigated and found the kitchen still filled with smoke. |
The Call of January 24, 1941 THREE ESCAPE BURNING TRUCK One man was slightly injured about 7:15 on Monday evening when the engine of an eight and a half ton coal truck, in which he was riding with two other men, burst into flames on Route 122 opposite the entrance to the Schuylkill County Institutional District. James Burton, colored, of Millsboro, Delaware, received slight injuries of the right arm and left knee when he leaped from the cab of the truck. After being treated at the Schuylkill County Hospital, he was discharged. Charles E. Allen of Nassau, Delaware, driver of the truck and Charles Cirwitian, fourteen, of Milton, Delaware, both colored, also jumped from the truck but escaped injury. An investigation was made by the Pottsville motor police who found that the truck was moving south when the motor suddenly burst into flames which quickly spread to the cab. Charles Cirwitian, seated in the middle, leaped to safety first, followed by the other two, the driver leaving the post last. The driverless truck, abandoned at the crest of the hill, caromed downgrade for about six hundred feet and then crashed headon into a concrete bridge at the right hand side of the highway, spilling the eight and a half tons of coal onto the highway, creek and field. The Schuylkill Fire Company of Schuylkill Haven responded to an alarm an extinguished the flames. Damage to the truck from the flames and impact was estimated at three hundred dollars. The truck, owned by Martha McMillan of Millsboro, was towed to the Harvey Moyer Garage in Schuylkill Haven. |
The Call of April 11, 1941 FAUST GARAGE, APARTMENTS GUTTED BY FIRE; EXPECT LOSSES TO REACH $23,000 Cars and Trucks Saved in Early Morning Fire Eleven Families Lose All of Furniture Fire of undetermined origin, early Saturday morning, entirely destroyed the interior of the Faust garage and apartment building located at the corner of West Union Street and Tennis Avenue. The loss, which has not been fully determined because of the number of families involved, is estimated at $23,000, with $11,000 loss on the building and $12,000 on the furniture stored. The entire household furnishings of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Flynn, who rented one of the two apartments was destroyed, with the exception of a few kitchen pieces and a vacuum cleaner which was damaged by water. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Underkoffler, who had intended moving into the apartment on the day of the fire, had a number of small articles destroyed. Ten families had furniture stored in the lower floors of the building, all of which was consumed. Five trucks owned by Mr. Faust and six cars were removed from the burning structure. The last to be taken, a large moving van, was on fire when Mr. Faust, unable to see because of the smoke, drove it through the side of the garage. The fire was discovered at six o'clock by Joseph Roeder of Hoover Street. He called his wife and she spread the alarm. Ralph Jacoby, who noticed the fire at about the same time, aroused the Fausts and the people in the neighborhood. The Flynns awoke to find the building filled with smoke and had to leave before anything could be saved. Mrs. Flynn, who returned to her home only a few weeks ago after recovering from a nervous breakdown, had to be taken from the building. Mr. and Mrs. Flynn are staying at the home of her sister in Saint Clair for the present. Mr. Flynn is employed at the Hollywood Theatre in Pottsville. Mr. and Mrs. Underkoffler, who had all their furniture loaded preparatory to moving into the apartment, stored the furniture until they are able to find an apartment or house in Schuylkill Haven. Mr. Underkoffler is employed as compositor and pressman at The Call. For the present they are staying at the home of W. K. Knecht, publisher, in Tower City. The three companies in town responded to the alarm. One truck was delayed for a short time at the railroad crossing by a coal train but only a short time elapsed before the town's firefighting apparatus was in operation. The following persons had furniture stored in the building: Richard Brown of Schuylkill Haven, Mrs. Rennert of Pottsville, Mrs. Portz of Palmyra, Mrs. Chester Moyer of Ohio, Mr. Speacht of Williamsport, Mrs. Kantner of Schuylkill Haven, Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Mrs. Roebuck of Baltimore, Mrs. Berger of Norristown and Miss Mary Winters of Orwigsburg. |
The Call of December 4, 1942 FIRE LAST NIGHT RUINS HOME OF DANIEL SCHAEFFER Fire of undetermined origin gutted the interior of the home of Daniel Schaeffer and family, 472 Columbia Street, on Thursday evening. The alarm was sent in at 7:40 and all the Schuylkill Haven fire companies responded. George Staller, who resides in the near vicinity, saw smoke and went to turn in a still alarm when the general alarm was sounded. Firemen had difficulty in fighting the fire because the smoke was so dense in the interior that they could see nothing in front of them. They entered by crawling on their hands and knees. The Schaeffer family was not at home at the time. They had left the house half an hour before to attend church. They returned and helped firemen to get some church money and other money out of the home. The fire started in the kitchen at a cabinet and worked through the partitions. The room above the rear of the house was practically ruined and most of the remainder of the inside was gutted and suffered heavy smoke damage. The porch was also destroyed and the floor of the kitchen was burned through. The smoke penetrated heavily into the Heckman home next door, causing parts of the woodwork to turn brown. Among the items destroyed was a trunk of souvenirs collected by Carmen Schaeffer, a son in the U. S. Navy, on his journeys to foreign lands. The fire was under control by 8:50, although firemen remained at the scene until 9:30 o'clock. Mr. Schaeffer is the janitor at the local post office. |
The Call of April 2, 1943 FIRE DESTROYS TWO AUTOS A Chevrolet sedan, operated by a Pottsville man, was completely ruined by fire at 1: 10 o'clock Sunday morning on Centre Avenue in Schuylkill Haven while traveling to Pottsville. The driver did not discover that the car was burning until he arrived at Centre Avenue, although he seemed to smell smoke all the way from Orwigsburg. The cause is unknown, the assumption being that probably someone accidentally threw a match into the car, intending to throw it on the street. All fire companies responded, the Rainbow Hose Company using their hose. All that is left of the car is the framework and tires. The Schuylkill Hose Company responded to a call on Thursday afternoon about 5:15 when a sedan burned at the site of George Keller's farm at Long Run. |
The Call of May 26, 1944 ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY IN EXPLOSION Mrs. Walter Freeman of Parkway near Union Street, suffered sever burns of the face, shoulder and arms when a serious accident occurred in her home last Friday near 7:30 o'clock. In some way the water supplying the kitchen range was shut off and with the stove closed, considerable heat was developed. There was a pressure possibly of several hundred pounds in the water and when Mrs. Freeman was in the kitchen, it suddenly exploded with a loud report. Parts f the stove were blown apart and hot coal was showered all over the kitchen and in the dining room. Pieces of metal were stuck in the walls by force of the blast. Mrs. Freeman was luckily far enough away to escape injury from pieces of metal but she was showered with hot coal and severely burned. She also suffered from shock. Neighbors ran to her assistance and put out the flames. The first aid squad of the fire department, led by Fire Chief Claude Sausser, gave first aid until Dr. T. C. Rutter arrived. She is recovering nicely. There was not much damage to the building or the contents. The range, however, is a complete loss and the furniture in the kitchen and dining room was damaged by fire and chemicals. |
The Call of June 30, 1944 MIDNIGHT FIRE DAMAGES HOME A serious fire occurred around midnight on Saturday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin E. Gilfillan at 408 Saint John Street. The family was not at home and the neighbors, noticing smoke, sent in an alarm and all fire companies responded. By the time the companies arrived, the kitchen was a mass of flames and a heavy stream of water had to be used in order to save the building. All the household goods in the kitchen were destroyed and the rugs and furniture of the entire first floor were badly damaged. The cause of the fire is unknown. The residence, which is owned by Mrs. Ethel Coryell, is considerably damaged. |
The Call of August 17, 1945 BOYS START FIRE AT BOWLING ALLEYS A slight fire was discovered Monday morning at the bowling alley after an investigation was made by Claude Sausser when the janitor Harry Berger reported smelling smoke. Mr. Sausser discovered the outside door to be on fire, cotton waste having been lit and stuck under the door. This was smoldering from about 6:30 Sunday evening until Monday morning near eleven o'clock. Children confessed having done this and were reprimanded as a great deal of damage could have resulted had it not been discovered when it was. |
The Call of December 28, 1945 FIRE CAUSED BY FAULTY LIGHTS ON CHRISTMAS TREE A serious fire took place on Monday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hochguertel of 241 Paxson Avenue when a Christmas tree and decorations in the living room caught on fire due to a short circuit in a tree light cord. Mrs. Hochguertel was trimming a tree which had white cotton on it imitating snow. The cotton was supposed to have been fireproofed. When the light cord was connected there was a flash of fire and in a second the entire tree was a mass of flames. The flames spread to other parts of the room. Mrs. Hochguertel had to act quickly to save her own life and that of her baby who was playing on the living room floor. Chester Reider, who lives next door, heard her call for help and he and Mr. Hochguertel succeeded in extinguishing the flames with buckets of water but not before the living room was badly damaged. The home is owned by James Staller of Orchard Avenue. A general fire alarm was sounded and the companies responded. A false general alarm had been sounded on Sunday afternoon which had brought the companies out also. |
The Call of October 11, 1946 WATER AND SMOKE DAMAGE TO HOME CAUSES HARDSHIP Considerable water and some smoke damage was caused at the home occupied by the Harry Neidlinger family on Saint Peter Street on Monday about 2:55 p. m. when a fire of unknown origin was discovered. The fire was confined between the rafters and the roof but being hard to get at, it was some time before it could be extinguished, which caused the water damage. The local companies responded and used chemicals but had to also use a hose stream. The building is owned by Mrs. Suzannah McAllister of Pottsville and is covered by insurance but the fire left the Neidlinger family in distress and the local red Cross and neighbors gave them assistance. |
The Call of October 11, 1946 STOLEN TRUCK FIRE EARLY SUNDAY STIRS UP EXCITEMENT Quite a bit of excitement prevailed in town early on Sunday morning about five o'clock when a stolen Army truck overturned as it struck a pile of ground on Grant Street and caught on fire. A general alarm was sounded and all companies responded but the damage was not very great. The floor boards in the back of the truck had burned. The truck was owned by Anthony Cuchiara and was used by his brother, Jerry, who stays at the Central Hotel, where the truck was parked when stolen. All cars were stopped and a thorough search was made for the culprit but to no avail. All doctor's offices were checked in case the man had been injured but to date he has not been located. |
The Call of January 10, 1947 ORCHARD AVENUE COUPLE RESCUED FROM BURNING HOUSE An early Saturday morning caused damage to the amount of about $1000 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Behm at 413 Orchard Avenue. The fire, which started in the cellar of the two and a half story frame home, spread to the kitchen above and burned through the side of the house before it was checked. Mr. and Mrs. Behm, who were alone in the home, were rescued from their second floor bedroom by their son in law Edward Kunkle and neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Behm were awakened about 3:30 a. m. by smoke and upon opening the bedroom door to the hallway, a dense cloud of smoke filled the passageway. They entered a bedroom window and called for help. Their daughter, Mrs. Kunkle, who lives a half block away, was awakened by her infant child a short time before and heard the shouting. She finally recognized her father's voice, after first thinking the noise was made by celebrating pedestrians. Michael Bojack, living next door to the Behm house, also heard the cries for help and turned in the fire alarm. Kunkle, awakened by his wife, secured a ladder and assisted by neighbors, rescued Mr. and Mrs. Behm. Earl Shollenberger, living opposite the Behm home, also helped to prevent the spread of the flames by using a hand fire extinguisher on the flames before firemen arrived. An inspection of the damage revealed the electrical board controlling the furnace stoker was burned away. The kitchen floor and kitchen furnishings was badly damaged. The loss is covered by insurance. When the flames broke through the side of the house, burning a hole several feet square in size, the reflection was visible throughout the town. Local firemen responded to the general alarm and fought the blaze until five o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Behm are living temporarily with their son in law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle, until the damage to their home is repaired. |
The Call of January 17, 1947 FIREMEN RESPOND QUICKLY TO CHRISTMAS TREE FLASH FIRE The living room of the home of Mrs. Harry McGoey and her son in law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Zimmerman on Haven Street,was badly damaged on Saturday afternoon about 5:35 o'clock by fire. A short circuit is believed to have caused the blaze. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman were playing in the room when suddenly there was a flash at the Christmas tree which was standing in the alcove of the room and the tree and the entire room seemed to be filled with fire. It followed along the Christmas decorations and dropped down on the woodwork, papering, chairs, book racks, toys, windows, curtains and blinds and the wall rafters were burning. Neighbors assisted in extinguishing the flames until the fire company arrived on the scene. A small stream of water was used and fire extinguishers and in a short time the fire was extinguished. The windows were broken and the walls and furniture were badly damaged. The home was also filled with smoke. The damage is estimated at several hundred dollars. |
The Call of May 2, 1947 FIRE AT RIEGEL HOME CAUSES $1500 DAMAGE, DOG DIES Damage estimated at $1500 was caused by fire at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Riegel on Moorenoll Street in Columbia Heights shortly before noon on Monday. According to Fire Chief Claude Sausser, the fire started a corner of the cellar where Mr. Riegel has his work bench and tools and burned through the ceiling to the kitchen directly above. Actual fire damage was limited to the one section of the cellar, the kitchen and small pantry. Dense smoke filled the house and made fire fighting difficult but firemen with the aid of gas masks took in a chemical booster hose and soon had the blaze under control. A small pet dog in the cellar was suffocated. It was found with its nose in the drain pipe. No one was home at the time of the fire. Both Mr. and Mrs. Riegel were at their places of employment, Mr. Riegel with Capital Bakers and Mrs. Riegel at Meck's Mill. A son, Alvin, practicing in track at school, ran home with Frank Keith Jr., a neighbor and arrived home fifteen minutes earlier than usual. He discovered the house filled with smoke. |
The Call of May 9, 1947 FIRE AT MCGUIRE HOME IS FOURTH HERE IN NINE DAYS Answering the fourth alarm in nine days, the local fire department fought a stubborn fire in the home of John J. McGuire on Centre Avenue on Sunday night around ten o'clock. Thought to have been started by defective wiring, the fire broke out on the third floor where two of the young McGuire boys sleep. No one was on the third floor at the time. The family was in the living room listening to the radio when smoke was detected and the fire discovered. The furnishings on the upper floor were burning. An alarm was turned in and all the fire fighting equipment of the three companies responded. Firemen took a chemical hose into the building. Burning bed clothing and other furnishings were thrown from third story windows. The flames, however, had found their way to the roof and firemen worked for more than an hour before the fire was completely extinguished. Firemen working with axes and hooks had to remove boards from both the inside and outside of the house to get at the fire in the roof. Damage estimated at $1000 was caused by the fire in the third story and smoke and water down through the rest of the house. The McGuire home at 31 Centre Avenue is opposite the First Reformed Church. Fire police detoured traffic on Lincoln Street around the fire and back again to Centre Avenue. Firemen and police are to be commended for the fine work they did in holding the loss to a minimum and directing traffic around the busy Centre Avenue section where the fire occurred. The three previous fires occurred on three consecutive days; the auto crash at the Orwigsburg "Y" on the 26th, the auto burning on Main Street on the 27th and the Riegel home burning on the 28th of April.. |
The Call of January 16, 1948 LOCAL YOUTH INVENTS FIRE ALARM Numerous Fatal Fires Cause Ronald Young To Construct Alarm; Signal Put on the Market Inspired by the numerous fatal and near fatal fires in this area recently, a nineteen year old young man of town decided to do something to prevent such fatalities and after working for several months on his idea, designed and made an alarm that will warn the occupants of a building when a fire occurs. The young inventor is Ronald Q. Young, son of Mr. and Mrs. William V. Young of Paxson Avenue, who has a patent pending for his invention. The alarms are being manufactured and are now being offered for sale. One of Ronnie's first sales in town was for four to one businessman. The idea for the alarm came to the young inventor after a fire in which a life was lost in a nearby community. Working with an old thermostat that had been used originally on the refrigeration system at Mr. Young's Schuylkill Haven Provision Company, he changed its workings to suit his purpose and coupled it with an alarm bell. He continued to work on the idea for months, changing and improving it continually until finally he had the alarm perfected. Application was made for a patent and it was learned that there was no alarm of this type on the market. To demonstrate the fire detector and alarm , Ronnie constructed a demonstration kit that consists of a box with the alarm on one side and a heating unit on the other. A thermometer shows the rise in temperature when the heating unit is plugged in. When the mercury reaches 125 degrees, the alarm goes off with a loud clanging noise that will wake the soundest sleeper. The alarm is simple to install. It needs merely to be plugged into a light socket nearest the oil burner, furnace or stove, in stairways or hallways, or anywhere in a home or business place where there is a danger of fire breaking out. At the temperature at which the alarm is sounded is well below the kindling point of wood or any other material to be found in homes, the signaling device will operate before the fire gets a start. Actual flames are not required to set off the alarm. The device, if located near a furnace or stove, will turn in an alarm if the burner becomes overheated. The detector is all on one unit on a panel board with a cord that may be plugged in a regular receptacle. The assembled unit is placed in the home where the fire is most likely to occur. The alarm sells for $29.95 complete, a small investment for protection of loved ones. Ronald has already given demonstration to home owners in town who had heard about the signaling device, although little had been said around town about the alarm and few people knew about it. All who have seen it, including some prominent fire insurance men, have assured the young inventor that he has a practical alarm for the safeguarding of a home or business place and predict a ready acceptance of his product. Ronald was graduated from the local high school in 1946 an since that time has been working with h is father in the meats and provision business. |
The Call of January 23, 1948 EXPLOSION IN OLD WELL ROCKS COLUMBIA STREET An explosion set off in an abandoned well by a gasoline torch rocked the Columbia Street section near the Berne Street intersection on Wednesday about 5:30 p. m., but fortunately did no other damage than break window panes in nearby houses. The explosion, which occurred in a well located between the homes of Arthur Heim and Howard Reber at 409 and 413 west Columbia street, shattered windows on the east side of the Reber home and on the west side of the Heim home. The pump was blown into the air and landed on the Heim roof. A heavy iron plate that had covered the well opening was thrown high in the air by the force of the explosion and came down along side the garage at the end of the lot. A large two by twelve plank about four feet long and small parts of the pump were thrown across the street to land in front of the Earl Stoyer garage. A water line running from the Heim home to the Reber home and passing close to the well froze in the sub zero temperature on Wednesday morning. Paul Heim, son of Mr. and Mrs. Heim, endeavored to thaw the pipe by using a gasoline torch. Mr. Reber returned from work and was going to assist with the work but his wife insisted that he eat supper first. Her plea probably saved her husband's life as well as that of Heim, for after Mr. Reber had started to eat, Heim lay aside the torch and went into the Reber home to talk to Mr. Reber. Less than two minutes after he entered the house, the explosion shook the neighborhood and shattered the windows. The first impression was that an airplane had crashed into the house but when they went outside, they soon saw the smoking well and the damage that had resulted. Neighbors and passersby who witnessed the explosion said it resembled pictures of the mushrooming cloud of smoke that resulted from the atomic bomb at Bikini. The exact cause of the explosion is not known. It is supposed that gas formed in the well and was set off by the torch. Had Heim not entered the Reber home, he would probably have been killed by the explosion. |
The Call of July 16, 1948 FIREMEN GIVE CHASE AFTER FALSE ALARM IN VAIN A false alarm turned in at the alarm box near the Dock and Haven Street intersection early Tuesday morning brought out the town's fire trucks and resulted in an exciting hunt for the persons turning in the alarm. The alarm was sounded at 3:15 in the morning and several residents of the area saw the young men who turned it in jump into a truck and drive away, jumping up over the curb at the arch in their hurry to get away. Witnesses state that the men were noticeably under the influence of something stronger than water. One of them is said to have lit a cigarette and tossed the match on the truck. They decided to call out the fire trucks to make sure it was extinguished. The town's firer fighters brought out the apparatus and arrived on the scene shortly after the false alarmers had left. The witnesses informed the fire fighters of what had happened and gave a good description of the men and the truck. The firemen, thoroughly aroused over being called out at such an hour for a false alarm, started in pursuit. A light rain had been falling and it was easy to follow the dual wheel tracks of the truck. The trail led up Centre Avenue to Garfield Avenue, turned to the left at Willow Lake and came out on the old highway to Pottsville, past the Cotton Club and onto the main highway. Here the highway was dry and the tracks could not be seen. One group of searchers, including Chief Burgess Harner, continued on into Pottsville and there in front of a restaurant found a truck fitting the description furnished buy the witnesses in Schuylkill Haven. The motor was hot. Going inside, they found three young men, two of whom fitted the description given. Pottsville police were called. One of the young men apprehended gave a false name and address and one of the Pottsville police who lived near the address given realized it was false and finally got the right name and address. He had been picked up by the Pottsville police for another offense some time ago. The chief burgess was without credentials. Although suspicion pointed strongly to the men apprehended, no definite proof was available. Since that time no further action has been taken. |
Miners Journal of March 1, 1872 INCENDIARY FIRE The brilliant light observable from this borough last evening in the direction of Schuylkill Haven, was the reflection of a fire at Werner's Locks, a short distance above that place. The fire destroyed a number of old wooden buildings, formerly used as the painter and blacksmith shops by the Schuylkill Navigation Company. The fire was the work of an incendiary and the loss is estimated at one thousand dollars. |
Miners Journal of February 17, 1882 AN INCENDIARY TOWN Schuylkill Haven was all excitement Wednesday night. About nine o'clock in the evening, Grand Army Park, which is located at some distance from the town, was illuminated by a bright glow. The park is a beautiful spot, naturally, and its beauties had been increased by the expenditure of much labor and a good deal of money by the members of Jere Helms Post 26 of the G. A. R. Lit up, as it was last night, the park presented a magnificent appearance. The glow alluded to was caused by a fire which originated either in the dancing platform or a small house built for the purposes of the Post across the Schuylkill River. The bridge, dancing floor and house were totally destroyed. The loss is estimated at $650. The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. |
The Call of February 10, 1894 FIRE! FIRE! - THE P. & R. C. AND I. COMPANY'S STORAGE YARDS ATTACKED BY FLAMES The screen building at the storage yards, owned by the P. & R. C. and I. Railroad Company, was destroyed by fire Thursday night. H. B. Zulick, superintendent of the yards, telegraphed to Pottsville for assistance to the home fire company, as it was feared the fire would spread to adjoining properties, but by the time the Pottsville firemen got to the scene, the home company had the flames under control. The brave firemen made a gallant fight but were unable to save the screen house from destruction on account of an accident to the hose. The building had a frontage of fifty feet and was used as a washery in preparing coal for shipment. The machinery was partly destroyed and the dynamos in an electric light plant at the rear of the screen building were damaged but can be repaired. These buildings were divided from the coal chutes which contained about 100,000 tons of coal by heavy cribbing but the firemen had a hard time protecting the coal from the flames. The origin of the fire is a mystery. It started at 8:40 in the evening and several carpenters who worked at the place up to seven o'clock say they saw no signs of fire. The building will be rebuilt at once. |
The Call of August 27, 1909 LIBERTY HOSE HOUSE The Liberty Fire Company, will on Saturday afternoon and evening, throw open the doors of their new building on Columbia Street in the South Ward to the inspection of the public, and the citizens of all parts of town are cordially invited to view it. The building is thirty by forty feet in size, two stories in height and stands upon a lot 40 by 160 feet, the ground having been the gift of Mrs. W. L. Bryant. The structure is of concrete blocks, with galvanized iron cornices finished in imitation of concrete. The building stands on a concrete foundation and the cellar is cemented. There are but two rooms, an apparatus room on the first floor and a meeting room on the second floor. Both are wainscoted to a height of four feet and the balance of the side walls and the ceilings are finished in stamped steel and prettily painted. I. H. Becker was the general contractor and the concrete blocks and ornaments were furnished by Jere Huling and Son. The house is piped for gas and wired for electric light. There is a washstand in each room and the entire building is heated by steam. The steam plant was installed by Ray Hoffman. Most of the digging, hauling, foundations, cementing, outside concrete work, filling, plumbing and electric light work was done by members of the company. The Liberty boys are to be congratulated upon the success of their efforts to provide the South Ward with an up to date fire company. The company is equipped with a modern two wheeled hose carriage that carries a big reel of hose and all of the necessary accessories. Thanks to the kindness of the public and the contributions and strenuous work of the members, the apparatus and equipment is all paid for and a part of the cost of the building is paid, there remaining a debt of $1,500. This the company hopes to liquidate in a short time. In addition to the fact that the building houses a firefighting and property saving organization, the public has another interest in the structure, owing to the fact that the meeting room has been leased to the school board and will be used during the coming term for school purposes. With this object in view, the board has installed forty eight handsome, new desks, a desk for the teacher, large blackboards and other school paraphernalia. With ample light, plenty of heat and good ventilation, this is one of the handsomest, most comfortable and most healthful school rooms in the town. |
Miners Journal of April 10, 1852 FIRE IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The weigh scales of the Mine Hill and Schuylkill Haven Railroad Company took fire on Saturday last and burned to the ground. The scales themselves were not much injured but the building attached was entirely destroyed. The loss is not very great, the books, papers, etc., remaining unharmed in the safe. The company proposes erecting a better looking and more substantial building on the ruins. The fire originated from a spark of an engine that had passed a short time before. $500 will probably cover the entire loss. |
The Call of June 14, 1918 FIREWORKS START A BLAZE A quantity of fireworks in the window of the Umbenhauer variety store on Columbia Street, was the cause of a small fire that caused considerable excitement in the neighborhood. It is said that a small child was left in charge of the store and had sold to some other children what is known as a sparkler. This sparkler was ignited in the store and some of the sparks carried to the window wherein was placed other fireworks. In an instant these fireworks were going off. A bucket brigade was formed and soon extinguished the flames but not before the curtain was burned and the woodwork charred. Several cool headed persons prevented a general alarm from being turned in and bringing the department to the scene. |
The Call of December 4, 1914 FIRE WHISTLE IS A FAILURE The tests of Saturday evening and Tuesday evening proved beyond a doubt that the present fire alarm whistle is unsuited for fire alarm purposes. It positively can not be made to work, even though all sorts of methods have been tried. Persons who were on the job listening for it really didn't think it was the fire alarm whistle. Several railroaders stated that they thought it was a Pennsy freight stuck in the cut on the outskirts of town. Others claim it sounds like an ordinary fire whistle. Despite the announcement that the whistle would be tested, the dates and hour being given, many persons became excited when it was blown. Inquiry from neighbors or the Bell Telephone exchange operator elicited the information that the whistle was being tested and that there was no occasion for excitement. Many suggestions have been heard as to an improvement being made in the system. That is, using whistles on different industries. There are a number of missiles on different local mills and at the P & R car shops that have whistles much louder than the Electric Light Plant, but the trouble is they do not all have a fireman, engineer or watchman at all periods of the day or night within easy access to a telephone and the engine room as is the case at the light plant. Therefore we doubt whether a more suitable place could be secured than its present location. But as for the whistle, it sure should be replaced with a larger one. The tone of the whistle is never affected on account of an insufficient amount of steam. Steam pressure sufficient to blow half a dozen steam whistles is always maintained and is necessary to run the engines at the plant. The trouble is that the whistle is not large enough to take a sufficient amount of steam to produce a good clear and loud tone. The whistle takes a one and a half inch pipe. To insure it getting all the steam it can take care of a two inch pipe has been connected with it tapered to one and a half inch diameter, thus making it doubly sure it receives all the steam pressure necessary. The whistle is constricted on the principle of a trombone. A slide or valve produces the weird or siren tone. When the slide is open its full length the deep tone used as a curfew whistle is produced. This requires a greater amount of steam than the siren whistle. But a small amount of pressure is required for the siren and it was never intended by its makers to be used as a fire alarm whistle to arouse a community so widely separated and covering as large an area as this town. The original tone of the whistle is very weak and the least draft of air wafts the entire tone to but some sections of town, in the direction in which the wind is blowing. This often has been found to be the case even with the curfew whistle. In comparing the fire alarm whistle of Schuylkill Haven with other nearby towns we believe we have positively the poorest. Take for instance Cressona. Every time the fire whistle in that town blows it can be distinctly heard in the greater portion of our town, whether it be in day or at night. Pottsville has a real fire alarm whistle and the same is also generally heard in this town although four to five miles distant. Orwigsburg and Adamsdale with their several factory whistles call attention to the existence of a fire. Here in Schuylkill Haven where property of much value is located, property speaking of our factories, if destroyed or damaged will mean many persons being out of employment for months and perhaps for all time, has but a small siren whistle that can not be heard by more than one quarter of the population of the town even when it is working at its best. Outside of the water supply, nothing so important and valuable to the public could be improved on than our fire alarm whistle. Will our town council take action? That is, take action to procure a more satisfactory whistle, not simply discuss the question and then vote it down because it may cost some money. |
The Call of May 29, 1914 FIRE SCARE MONDAY Monday morning about 11:30 o'clock a fire alarm was sent in from the North Ward. Hasty inquiry revealed the fact that the fire was at Berger's Mill, which immediately caused considerable excitement. However, when the fire companies arrived on the scene they discovered the fire was at the residence of Daniel Heideway, several doors above Berger's Mill. The fire was confined to the soot in the chimney and it was unnecessary for the fire companies to render their services. Quite a crowd was attracted to the scene. The damage was very slight, almost the entire fire department of the town arrived on the scene. Their services were not required. |
The Call of September 10, 1892 FIRE LAST WEEK In the early dawn of last Saturday about the time that our inhabitants were awakening from the quiet slumber of the night the startling cry of "fire" rang through our midst with the ringing of bells and the blowing of whistles. Joseph Myers' house had caught on fire. The Schuylkill Hose Company was immediately upon the scene and in a very short time had the flames under control. The Rainbow boys were there and deserve great credit for their promptness. The real cause of the fire is unknown. The loss sustained will amount to about fifty dollars. |
Miners Journal of January 22, 1853 FIRE DAMAGE PREVENTED Last evening about ten o'clock, an Irishman had kindled a fire in the large stable attached to the Washington Hall hotel, but the light being seen by someone passing by, the fire was extinguished without doing any damage, which must have been serious had it not been discovered. The man was sent to Colonel Krebs, the keeper of the prison, who will take good care of him for the present. He alleges that his intention was merely to warm himself and make his night's lodging. |
The Call of October 25, 1901 BLAZE NARROWLY AVERTED Last Sunday what would have undoubtedly proved a serious conflagration was narrowly averted. Some little boys while at play in the alley in the rear of the Ehman residence on Dock Street set fire to a pile of papers. Piled against the Ehman stable was a large quantity of straw to which the flames had just communicated when Charles Huey and Daniel Wagner, who were passing through the alley, saw the grave danger and by quick, hard work, extinguished the flames. Had it not been for the fortunate appearance of these gentlemen on the scene it is probable that we might now be chronicling one oft he worst fires that ever visited Schuylkill Haven. |
The Call of April 12, 1901 BANQUETED THE LADIES The Rainbow Hose Company last night tendered a banquet to the ladies who so kindly assisted them in their recent fair. The event took place in the hose house in Spring Garden and was attended by about two hundred people. The opening feature of the program was an address by A. A. Hesser, in which he recited a brief history of the organization. Later the guests gathered around the festive board which was loaded with all the delicacies of the season. The luncheon was wholly prepared by the members of the company, who also acted as waiters at the tables. After the cravings of the inner man had been satisfied, dancing was indulged in and continued up to a late hour. Roeder's Mandolin and Guitar Club and Eiler's Orchestra furnished the music for the evening. The affair was pronounced one of the most successful events of this kind ever held in the borough. |
The Call of February 1, 1901 DESTRUCTIVE BLAZE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT Last Friday evening shortly after six o'clock, the heavens for miles around were illuminated, caused by a fire which completely destroyed the large barn, pig sty and several other small frame buildings at Adam Imboden's Half Way House, about a mile and a half east of this place on the road leading to Orwigsburg. The fire started in the barn and the flames, fanned by a stiff breeze, soon communicated to the other buildings which were rapidly consumed. The livestock was saved but the season's crops from a 200 acre farm and many farm implements went up in smoke. There were no facilities for fighting the flames, and only the hard work of a small bucket brigade saved a nearby frame warehouse from destruction. The barn was the property of Thomas Kearns, the well known Pottsville contractor. The loss will amount to $8,000, which is partly covered by insurance. The origin of the fire is unknown. The incident caused great excitement here and crowds of townspeople flocked to the scene of the conflagration. |
The Call of August 17, 1900 TIMELY DISCOVERY OF BLAZE A serious conflagration was narrowly averted in town last evening by the early discovery of the blaze. An electric lamp in Meck and Coldren's Knitting Mill set fire to a piece of cotton waste, which held the lamp in position near the wooden partition of the building. The burning goods set the woodwork on fire, which was burning quite lively when discovered by Milton Berger, who was sitting on the porch of his home opposite the mill. The use of several buckets of water extinguished the blaze. The fire occurred about 6:30 o'clock, while no one was in the building. |
Miners Journal of October 12, 1875 ALMOST A CONFLAGRATION Last evening about six o'clock a leaf basket, suspended over a large looking glass in the rooms of Henry S. Deibert at Schuylkill Haven, fell from its place on a lamp. Almost instantly the gauze, leaves, etc., were in a blaze, and had it not been for the presence of mind of Mr. Deibert and his neighbor, Captain Helms, a severe catastrophe might have happened to our neighboring borough. They rushed in and succeeded in smothering the fire without much loss to the owner and without causing any alarm. |
Miners Journal of November 13, 1875 FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The Schuylkill Haven mill has been idle for some time. Yesterday about four o'clock, Mr. Medlar started a fire in one of the smith's forges for some purpose, and then started up into the town. He hadn't gone a great ways before his attention was directed to the mill, which appeared to be on fire. And so it was. Sparks had kindled the rafters and quite a fire was raging. Owingh to the prompt arrival of the chain factory men and the fact that there was a slate roof above, the fire did not go far. The timbers were charred and some little damage was done by men, who tore off part of the roof to get at the fire. |
The Call of October 19, 1928 FIRE POLICE AND CHAUFFEURS HELD MEETING Fire police of this borough and the chauffeurs of the fire trucks, to the number of thirty five, gathered in the town hall Monday evening and in an informal talk determined upon certain practices and policies which will be helpful to the general public. Burgess Scott made it plain that by reason of the increased traffic on our streets he felt that the fire police should first of all protect the fire apparatus from danger of collision while on the way to a fire. This would be possible if fire police would assist in direction of traffic at street intersections. In the performance of a duty of this kind they would first of all guarantee a greater protection to the drivers of the motor trucks in the way of injury and protection against damage to property of fire companies, both in the event of collision with other motorists. The burgess made it plain that chauffeurs could also exercise a little more caution in driving to fires, especially to the sections of the town where they know there are many cross streets and heavy traffic. The chief stated that while there has always been some rivalry between the companies in the matter of reaching the scene of a fire first, this might be good to a certain extent but when the rivalry endangers firemen themselves, the general public and the property of the fire companies, it should not be played up so prominently. On this score, Mr. Scott also made it plain that the companies constituting the fire department of the borough are responsible in a measure of being able to cope with a fire or not being able to cope with a fire. To this end, cooperation instead of such keen rivalry would produce more effective results. The statement was also made that under the present fire alarm system, it ought to be the duty of chauffeurs of the fire trucks to find out definitely the location of a fire before ever leaving the firehouse. That it would require but a moment's time to make inquiry of the telephone operator where the fire was located. Time could be saved in almost every instance if this were done said Fire Chief Christ Schumacher. The fire chief also stated that there was no necessity for so many fire police hanging onto the fire apparatus when going to a fire. He also added that in passing street intersections some of them ought to jump off at these intersections and direct traffic. The duty of the motorist was also made clear and that is to the effect that in the event of a fire alarm, he is required to pull to the side of the street and come to a stop, at least until after the fire apparatus has passed that particular point. The fact that many motorists drive to fires at a greater speed than the fire trucks themselves was also scored and it was brought out that this phase is just one of the ways in which the fire police can be of assistance, that is, in obtaining such evidence that can be used in bringing arrest of motorists who flagrantly violate the law in this regard. The matter of the railroad crossings was also discussed and it was stated by Burgess Scott that the railroad company maintains it is easier to bring a fire truck to a stop at a crossing than it is to bring a train of cars to a stop. Fire police ought to protect the railroad crossings and assist the crossing watchman. At night by reason of two crossings being without watchmen, the presence of fire police at the crossings would be all the more important and necessary. The conference brought out the discussion of many things in the fire department and was without a doubt helpful and similar conferences no doubt will be held in the future for the purpose of making the fire department even more efficient than at present. |
The Call of July 5, 1914 FIRE THIS AFTERNOON Prompt Work of the Fire Department Prevents a Serious Conflagration at McWilliam's Store on Dock Street - Slight Damage A fire that started at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon and raged fiercely for a short time, threatened th destruction of Mrs. George McWilliams' store at the corner of Dock Street and Broadway. The flames started from unknown origin in a pile of boxes, boards and other inflammable material deposited in a hollow adjoining the Broadway side of the store. Communicating to the store, the exterior was soon a mass of flames. The Rainbow Hose Company, in response to the alarm sounded, arrived promptly on the scene and by effective work soon had the fire extinguished. The Schuylkill Hose Company also responded promptly but owing to the great distance did not arrive until the flames were well under control. The loss was very slight. |
The Call of August 21, 1903 NARROWLY ESCAPED A CONFLAGRATION Charles Hoy had a narrow escape from serious injury and his home barely escaped destruction on Wednesday morning. The gas range did not work properly and Mr. Hoy disconnected some of the pipes to clean them. In order to see what he was doing he placed a lighted lamp on the floor beside him. Suddenly, without any warning, the lamp ignited the gas that had been escaping and there was an explosion that burst a pipe and set fire to the house. Bucketful after bucketful of water was poured on the flames and saved the house from destruction but the burning gas could not be extinguished until one of the gas company's men arrived and shut off the supply to the meter. |
The Call of May 16, 1902 FIRE AT RAILROAD TRACKS One of the Lowery Brothers show cars standing on the side track near the rolling mill took fire last Friday night in some manner not known and was badly damaged. The fire alarm was sounded and the hose companies responded promptly but the show men formed a bucket brigade and had the fire under control. The Lowery Brothers show this year is first class. Large crowds witnessed their performances on Friday and were very well pleased. |
The Call of February 28, 1902 FIREMEN BANQUET SCHUYLKILL HOSE COMPANY MEMBERS ENJOY TURKEY AT REBER'S Daniel Hill, In Whose Honor the Banquet Was Held, Talks Entertainingly of the Phillipines The members of the Schuylkill Hose Company annually enjoy a banquet and smoker and this year the affair was held at Frank Reber's Long Run Hotel and was in honor of Daniel Hill, recently returned from the Phillipines. Last Friday evening, the firemen, to the number of some forty odd, embarked in several big sleighs and were whirled over the snow to Mr. Reber's comfortable hostelry out the Long Run Road. Turkey was the piece-de-resistance of the banquet and it was cooked to perfection and served as only Landlord Reber knows how to serve it. With the delicious bird were all the concomitants that go to make up a most enjoyable feast and the table groaned under the weight of good things spread before the hungry firefighters. The inner man having been amply satisfied, President Wellington Hartman announced the toasts, which were responded to in a humorous vein by Messrs. C. E. Berger, esquire, Honorable J. A. Noecker, G. W. Gise, Esquire, J. Harry Filbert, Esquire, C. V. B. Deibert and others. Mr. Hill gave a very entertaining talk and County Commissioner Reber of Pine Grove, contributed a humorous recitation and James Rowland snag a tenor solo. The affair will go down in the annals of the Schuylkill Hose Company as its most successful and most enjoyable banquet. |
The Call of January 9, 1925 SLIGHT FIRE LAST FRIDAY About two o'clock last Friday afternoon, a slight chimney fire was discovered in the Yost apartments on Dock Street. Quick work of neighbors who responded prevented what might have been a serious conflagration. Had the fire been permitted to gain even the slightest headway, the entire block of houses and business places might have been destroyed as it would have been almost impossible to have the fire department get to the scene of the fire. Chemical fire extinguishers were brought from the Rainbow Hose house nearby and used with telling effect. A blocked chimney is given as the cause of the fire. |
The Call of April 3, 1925 EXPLOSION WRECKS GAS STOVE With a report that could be heard for squares, one of the gas stoves in the Liberty fire house exploded last Wednesday night. Councilman Jacob Moyer and R. W. Crossdale who were seated near the stove narrowly escaped being struck by the flying bits of stove. Members of the company were engaged in cleaning up the fire apparatus. Hot water was required and to obtain it one of the gas stoves used for cooking purposes when suppers are held in the building was to be made use of. As a match was applied to one of the burners, the stove was blown into bits. It is believed a leak in one of the connections permitted the oven portion of the stove to be filled with gas. The escape from injury by those persons who were seated close to the stove were considered very fortunate. |
The Call of June 3, 1904 SATURDAY MORNING'S FIRE Shortly before eight o'clock Saturday morning, fire partially destroyed the residence of William Brown, better known as "Blind Brownie," located on Penn Street near Saint Charles. The fire originated from a defective flue. The cook stove had just been moved from the living room of the house to the back kitchen and a fresh fire had been started to cook breakfast. In the midst of their culinary preparations, "Brownie" and his mother were startled by the neighbors rushing in upon them crying "fire" and carrying their household goods into the street. A bucket brigade was quickly formed and did valiant service in preventing the spread of the flames until the Schuylkill Fire Company arrived and extinguished the blaze. The flames practically destroyed the roofs of the shed and main building and the water thrown on by the firemen destroyed the plastering on the ceiling of the second floor. The total loss of the house is $200, partially covered by insurance. The property is owned by Charles F. Schumacher, the Columbia Street grocer and mill owner. All of the effects of the Browns were saved and were stored at the home of Mrs. Albert Ney, a sister of "Brownie." Mr. Schumacher will at once repair the house and in the meantime "Brownie" and his mother will be cared for by Mrs. Ney. The Rainbow Hose Company responded to the alarm but were stopped at Main and Dock Streets by a telephone message to the effect that the fire was under control and that one company could handle it. |
The Call of July 15, 1904 NEW FIRE COMPANY Schuylkill Haven's fire department is to be augmented by the organization of a hook and ladder company, the young man at the head of the movement having secured sixty members and having been assured of sufficient to make a company of one hundred members. The new company together with the Schuylkill and the Rainbow Hose Companies will give our town a good firefighting brigade. Experience at recent fires has shown, however, that there is need of a steam fire engine in this town and a chemical engine could be used with good effect. At the fire that damaged Blind Billy Brown's home in the Dutch Flat some weeks ago, the one stream of water that the firemen were able to get on the blaze was hardly strong enough to squirt over the house, a one and a half story structure. A chemical engine on the ground as soon as was the Schuylkill's hose carriage could have extinguished the fire with less damage by fire and water than was the case. At the Borda stable fire only a couple of weeks ago, the Rainbow Hose Company was able to get only one stream of any consequence on the blaze, while if they had had a steam fire engine, they could have secured any quantity of water from the Dock. Schuylkill Haven is growing very rapidly in population, in the number of residences and the number of factory and mill buildings and the firefighting brigade should keep abreast of the town's growth. |
The Call of August 5, 1904 THE HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY Friendship Hook and Ladder Company, Number 3, organized at the Rainbow hose house in the North Ward with a charter membership of fifty. The name was selected and the following officers chosen: President Howard Harliman; Vice President Arthur Weaver; Secretary George Gerhart and Treasurer George A. Berger. The following committee on charter was appointed: George Berger, Howard Witman, M. Oswald, Benjamin Neiman and George Gerhart. The new company for a short time will meet in the Rainbow hose house. They will hold a fair and bazaar next winter and hope within a year to be thoroughly equipped and located in their own house. |
The Call of December 16, 1904 HOOKIES FAIR - Opens Tomorrow Night and Will Run Until January 3rd The Friendship Hook and Ladder Company will open their fair in Yoder's Hall on Saturday evening. The fire laddies hope to realize sufficient to enable them to purchase a modern combination hook and ladder truck and chemical fire engine. The Hookies will have on sale lots of things that will be suitable for Christmas gifts so that you can secure your presents and at the same time help the fire laddies along by patronizing the fair. Much interest centers in the contest between the Schuylkill and Rainbow companies for the handsome silver fire trumpet. Every admission ticket carries with it a vote for your favorite fire company and the oftener you attend the fair the more votes you can cast. The fair should be liberally patronized as the Hookies have set out to place our fire department on an equal footing with the departments of much larger towns and they should be substantially encouraged. |
The Call of June 21, 1907 FIREMEN NEED OUR HELP Schuylkill Haven's firemen do not have much practice at their volunteer profession, a fact for which we are all grateful, but the promptness with which they responded to last week's alarm and the rapidity with which they got into action shows that what they lack in practice, they make up in enthusiasm. There are a few of the small accessories to firefighting appliances that our firemen should have and as the cost is not great, the Town Council should furnish them. It was observed at last week's fire that the men on the ladder had to use a long brass branch pipe for a nozzle. If instead of this they had had a flexible butt, with a combination spray nozzle they would have had better control over the stream and could have turned the water just where it was needed and with little difficulty. A butt of this kind is usually provided with straps for holding the hose which would have given the man at the nozzle more freedom of action. An adjustable strap and a hook would have enabled the man below to support almost the entire weight of the hose thereby allowing the nozzleman to do his most effective work. Schuylkill Haven has a first class corps of firefighters and their apparatus is excellent but their efficiency could be greatly improved by giving them an outfit of those little aplpiances that save time and labor. |
The Call of June 14, 1907 EXCITING FIRE What might have resulted in a serious blaze was discovered in the nick of time about three o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the house of Mrs. Thomas Walleisa on Union Street just below Saint Peter Street. The flames were located between the plaster and weatherboarding on the lower side of the house near the front. A stream of water promptly put the fire out of business. Neighbors carried most of Mrs. Walleisa's household goods to places of safety but there was no real necessity for moving them as the fire was confined to the one spot and was so quickly extinguished. Mice and matches are the only cause that can be given for the origin of the fire. The loss is less than $100. All three fire companies responded promptly to the alarm which was given by the Lautenbacher mill whistle and later taken up by the school bell and other whistles. |
The Call of October 4, 1907 GAS WORKS BURNED Fire early Sunday morning damaged the gas works of the Schuylkill Haven Gas and water Company to the extent of several hundred dollars. The flames were discovered about six o'clock by the crew of the P & R locomotive and they gave the alarm on the engine whistle which was later taken up by the school house bell. All three of our fire companies responded promptly and quickly had the fire extinguished. As soon as the firemen had finished their work, General Manager Aldrich and Superintendents Werner of town and McKnight of Pottsville had on the ground the combined forces of the Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville plants with a gang of laborers from the P & R storage yard and by eight o'clock in the afternoon had the plant running again. The building being of brick, the tin covered roof, doors and casings and window casings and the small amount of oil around the machinery constituted all of the inflammable matter but the fire was so hot that the babbitt metal plunger in the oil pump at the front of the gas generators was melted out of all semblance of its normal shape. The big gas generators built of steel and intended to stand terrific heat, were not damaged in the least. The damage was confined to the woodwork before mentioned, the oil pump, engine and blower belts and the burning out of the packing in pipe connections. Repairs to the building were begun Monday morning by Contractor Rudy Moyer. The roof will be replaced by a metal one, floor supports will be of metal and as soon as they can be obtained, a flooring of metal plates will be laid. |
The Call of October 27, 1944 FIRE DAMAGES HOME ON LIBERTY STREET Fire of undetermined origin caused considerable damage to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Fisher of 11 east Liberty Street last Friday evening at ten o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher were in the living room listening to a radio program. Upon hearing a noise in the kitchen as though someone came in, Mr. Fisher opened the door to see who it was and discovered the flames. The three local fire companies responded and did gallant work for two hours. The rear of the frame structure was destroyed and other damage was caused to the building and all their clothing was also burned. The weather boards at the George Seiger home were scorched also. |
The Call of January 13, 1911 FIRE EQUIPMENT NEEDED The fire Thursday noon again clearly demonstrated the fact that the firefighting apparatus of our town is somewhat inadequate to this extent, that in case of fire, the apparatus which should be on the scene first generally gets there last. The apparatus referred to is the combination chemical and ladder truck of the Rainbow Hose Company. However, this is not due to negligence or indifference on the part of the firemen or the members of this hose company, but it is simply an impossibility, from the fact that this truck is of such proportions and its weight is so great that it requires the best efforts of not less than twenty five to fifty members to get it to a fire. Its worth as a part of the local fire equipment is invaluable, as was demonstrated very forcibly at the recent conflagration at the P & R car shops and on many other occasions prior to the above, but its valuableness would be increased many times if it were possible to get it to the fire more promptly. Very often a stream of chemicals will prevent a serious fire, as the hose can be more easily handled, therefore the stream played on the fire with better results. The only course left for the Rainbow Hose Company is to make arrangements with local owners of double teams, that promptly upon the sounding of the alarm they are to unhitch the horses and make for the hose house and then take the truck to the fire. Arrangements should also be made with owners of teams that in case of an alarm at night, those having their stables nearest to the hose house take the truck to the fire. This arrangement will of course require funds. None of the fire companies in town are in such a flourishing financial condition. The receipts of membership dues and a borough appropriation being about the only source of revenue, yet when either one of these organizations come before the public for support or financial assistance, they generally receive the short end of the deal. Either the borough appropriation should be increased or more liberal support of the public be given. If the efficiency of the firefighting contingent of this town is to be increased, it is up to the public to be more liberal. By all means provide for the more prompt arrival of the necessary fire fighting equipment. |
The Call of February 17, 1905 HOOKIES BUYING A LOT The Friendship Hook and Ladder Company have about closed negotiations for the purchase of the Roaly lot next to the Spring Garden School House on Dock Street. They have also about completed the sale of a portion of the lot to the School Board and the purchase of the school house. The extra ground will give a much needed playground around the new school house which the School Board will build this summer and the old school house building, removed to the Hookies' lot and fixed up will make a capital fire house while the expense to both parties will be reduced to a minimum. The consummation of this deal will leave enough in the Hookies' treasury to enable them to place an order at an early date for their equipment. |
The Call of December 30, 1904 HELP THE FIREMEN - Liberally Patronize Friendship Hook and Ladder Company's Fair With only four nights yet to run, the people of Schuylkill haven should turn out en masse and give the fair of the Friendship Hook and Ladder Company such a boost that the fire laddies will be able to, at once, forward their order for equipment. The firemen are highly gratified at the public's patronage thus far, but it will require a very tidy sum to equip themselves with such a modern combination hook and ladder and chemical engine as they propose buying and all the help the public can give the company will not be amiss. It is to the public's interest to liberally support the company as a modern equipment tends to insure the safety of both lives and property in case of fire. The various booths at the fair are literally loaded down with useful and ornamental articles to suit the tastes and the purses of all purchasers and there is no dearth of entertainment. The various fire companies of Pottsville have given our firemen considerable encouragement by attending the fair from time to time and liberally patronizing it. The Rainbow Hose Company of town patronized the fair on Thursday night. This evening the West End Hose Company of Pottsville will be present and tomorrow night the Fourth regiment Drum Corps of Pottsville will attend. |
The Call of April 14, 1905 FIRE ENGINE ORDERED At a special meeting of Friendship Hook and Ladder Company held Thursday night, a Seagraves combination hook and ladder truck and chemical engine was ordered. The apparatus will weigh 3,500 pounds, will be equipped with two 25 gallon tanks, 45 foot extension ladder, truss ladders, hand extinguishers, axes, pikes, bars and other equipment. Poles for horses and hand will be supplied with the apparatus, it being the company's intention to install a team of horses at the earliest possible date. The cost of the apparatus will be nearly $2,000 and it is to be delivered by July 4th when the company proposes to have its house and equipment open to public inspection. |
The Call of March 17, 1905 WHO WILL WIN THEM? The Friendship Hook and Ladder Company will wrap up all of its recent fair accounts on Monday evening next at Ebling's Hall in Spring Garden by chancing off the stove and sewing machine left from the fair. Having closed the deal for a lot and a fire house, the company will shortly award the contract for a fire engine. It is understood that the new apparatus will be one of the latest up to date chemical engines, carrying an equipment of ladders long enough to reach the tops of our highest buildings. The usual complement of scaling l;adders, hooks and pikes and life net will also be carried. It is quite likely that the Hookies will purchase a team of horses for the engine in order that they may be able to give the town prompt and efficient service when fire alarms are sounded. The team could be made self supporting in the same manner that the Pottsville fire horses are supported, by doing general hauling. The Hookies are making every effort to have their house ready and apparatus installed and ready for public inspection by July Fourth. |
The Call of March 5, 1915 FIRE SCARE FRIDAY Shortly after six o'clock last Friday evening, with the high wind, Schuylkill Haven people were given a fire scare when the fire whistle sounded an alarm. The fire was at the home of Jacob Shadle in Spring Garden. The corner of the roof was burning. The cause is supposed to have been from the spark of a passing Pennsylvania Railroad engine that dropped on the roof. The flames shortly after the alarm was sent in, spread over the roof and for a time it looked as if the home would be destroyed. The Rainbow boys were on the scene almost immediately and quickly had a stream of chemical and a stream of water playing on the flames. The Schuylkill and the Liberty companies also responded but their services were not needed as the Rainbow Company had it under control upon their arrival. Had it not been for the prompt response and efficient work of the fire laddies with the wind blowing a terrific gale at the time, an entire section might have been wiped out. The loss is several hundred dollars. |
The Call of April 16, 1915 ROLLING MILL WHISTLE WILL NOT DO FOR FIRE - Tests Prove Unsatisfactory, Estimates Asked For A Real Fire Whistle From all accounts the test of the rolling mill whistle as a fire whistle did not come up to the expectations of the general public. The mill whistle was placed in position Friday and Saturday was given a number of tests. The tests according to the men in charge proved unsatisfactory and the statement is made that the rolling mill whistle could not be made to produce the results desired of a fire whistle. Under the circumstances the borough will retain its old fire whistle for a time. When it was learned that the mill whistle would not answer the purpose, experiments were begun with the borough whistle. The first thing done was to take out the plunger. This plunger caused the shrill and weird tones known as the siren. There will therefore be no siren for an alarm for fire. Next the whistle was raised several feet at a time and test made. The whistle has been raised a total of twelve feet. That is, it is now located twelve feet higher in the air than it was before. It is believed an improvement has been made by doing so, but The Call thinks the improvement is very little. With the rolling mill whistle not proving satisfactory and the present whistle also being beyond consideration as a fire whistle, the road now seems to be open for the acquiring of a whistle that will be suitable and satisfactory for a fire whistle. The electric light committee has taken the matter of a fire whistle up with a number of engineering firms and will secure estimates of fire whistles, not toy or regular factory whistles and will report the cost of same to the council at its next meeting. It will then be up squarely to the council to purchase a fire whistle that can be heard in all parts of the town. The matter of cost should not stand in the way. The public will bear in mind the fact that there will be no siren whistle blown hereafter as an alarm of fire. The regular curfew whistle will be given an unusually long blast after which the ward signals are as follows. The new ward signals are as follows: one blast for the East Ward, two for the South Ward, three for the North Ward and four for the West Ward. |
The Call of April 16, 1915 LIBERTY HOSE COMPANY TO HAVE FIRE TRUCK - Present Chemical Engine To Be Made Into Combination Apparatus With the matter of our fire alarm whistle in such shape that it is altogether likely a new and adequate regular fire whistle will be secured and the Schuylkill Hose Company considering having their present fire engine placed on an auto truck, comes the further announcement of an increased efficiency in the town's firefighting paraphernalia, by the statement that the Liberty Fire Company will also greatly improve its equipment. The Liberty Fire Company not only has this matter under consideration but has actually taken such steps that will provide an improvement to the service very shortly. This company has placed an order for an auto fire truck. Mr. Hahn, the well known fire truck manufacturer of Hamburg, has been given the contract for the placing of the present chemical engine and truck of the Liberty Company in shape so that it can be used as an auto truck. The present chemical engine of the Liberty boys is the largest in Schuylkill County. It carries two forty gallon tanks for chemical purposes. Its great weight has been a handicap in getting to the scene of fires as speedily as it should have. It is proposed to place a seventy horsepower engine beneath the present chemical apparatus. The body will be reconstructed so that ten or fifteen men can be carried at the same time. A space on the new apparatus will also be provided for five hundred feet of hose. A separate pump will also be placed on the truck which can be used for pumping water from the fire plugs. In fact the new fire truck of the Liberty Company will be a complete piece of fighting apparatus. It will and can be used as a chemical engine and at the same time it will have five hundred feet of the regular hose that can be attached to the water plugs and by reason of its high horsepower, a stream of water of great pressure can be thrown. The new truck can also carry a sufficient number of fire fighters with it to begin operations immediately upon arriving at the fire. The new fire truck will cost in the neighborhood of $2500 to $3000. It will be a most valuable piece pf firefighting apparatus and this with the fire truck that the Schuylkill Hose company proposes securing will make the fire department of Schuylkill Haven an excellently equipped one. The Liberty Fire Company since its organization has built its own fire house, purchased a large chemical truck, hose cart and hose and has not held any of the customary fire bazaars or fairs. The money has been collected through the medium of festivals and voluntary contributions. With the debt of $2500 to $3000 being contracted at one time, this company now feels that it is entitled to the support of the public through a fair or bazaar and therefore proposes holding either one or the other of these big events this coming winter. |
The Call of January 3, 1908 SCHUYLKILL HOSE COMPANY BANQUET The banquet of the Schuylkill Hose Company in their fire house on Christmas Eve was one of the most enjoyable affairs of the holiday season. The entire hose house was beautifully decorated with greens and a Christmas tree. At the close of the banquet Toastmaster H. I. Moser called upon various members who responded to toasts as follows: J. H. Filbert, esquire "Christmas Eve;" Professor H. Day Gise, "Reminiscences;" D. S. Byerley and F. J. Heim brief addresses and a speech by C. S. Commings that was applauded to the echo. This address was the outlining of plans for the enlargement of the hose house and the reequipment of the company with the most modern of firefighting appliances. The company was organized July 7, 1891 and its first outfit was a small cart and a line of hose. By the time another banquet is held the company hopes to have its new home completed and its new apparatus housed and in working order. A silent standing toast was given in memory of Asher Sterner and Jonathan Bautsch who died during the year. The company has a membership of 90 and 70 attended the banquet. The officers are H. I. Moser, President; Russell Phillips, Vice President; C. S. Commings, Corresponding Secretary; H. S. Heim Treasurer and F. J. Heim, Fire Chief. |
The Call of February 12, 1915 HOSE COMPANY'S FIRE TRUCK A special meeting of the Schuylkill Hose Company will be held at the fire house Thursday evening, February 18th at eight o'clock, for the purpose of considering the advisability of increasing the fire apparatus of the company. For quite some time public sentiment has been in favor of augmenting the apparatus of the town's fire department by purchasing an auto trick or engine. The excellent service rendered on several occasions by the fire engine of the Schuylkill Hose Company has convinced the public that this is the piece of apparatus that should be on the scene of a fire first. From the fact that the company depends upon the owners of horses to respond to the alarm and haul the engine to the fire, a delay in getting in action generally results. The hose cart is always gotten to the fire by members in good time but does little good as no fair stream can be thrown until the fire engine arrives and is hooked up. Then to the fire apparatus of this company outside of the engine is in an abominable condition, particularly so, the carts used to haul the hose. Sooner or later, while responding to a fire, these carts are going to give way, in other words go to pieces while being taken through the streets. The result will be delay in getting a line of hose attached, thereby giving the fire headway and making it difficult to conquer it. This has not happened as yet but some day it is going to and the company will be criticized by the public for not having its apparatus in serviceable condition. The apparatus that years and years ago did service surely can not be expected to do service for all time. For years there has been feeling that the town should have a fire engine. Since this valuable piece of apparatus has been secured, the department as a whole, namely the three fire companies, have benefited by it. The engine is not selfishly used by but one company but as occasion demands, the lines of other companies receive the benefit of the power. Schuylkill Haven has been particularly fortunate in not having any serious conflagrations for years but just how long the town will rest in the graces of this good fortune is very uncertain. When the alarm has been sounded and when it is seen that a stubborn fire has broken out, it will be imperative that a fire engine together with lines of hose arrive on the scene immediately. The fire company should not be compelled to first hunt around town for a teamster and then lose more valuable time in getting to the stable and then harnessing the horses. What is necessary is a truck or fire engine which will be ready at all times by its own power to respond to fires in any section in town. Many suggestions have been made as to the best procedure to be followed by Schuylkill Hose Company at this particular time. As it is a public benefit, citizens should not hesitate in expressing their views but at the same time, it must be remembered that the Schuylkill Hose Company will be called upon to bear the burden of the expense regardless of what improvements are made. That it is up to the members of this particular company to work to pay off the indebtedness that may be caused by improving its firefighting apparatus. Every member of this fire company should attend the meeting above referred to. Fire apparatus is a commodity that must continually be either improved or increased. Schuylkill Haven has not followed this course. Why wait until fire brings home this fact through a serious conflagration. The matter is now in the hands of the Schuylkill Hose Company, every member should be interested, and it is hoped they will take the initiative in improving the towns firefighting apparatus. The expense of securing a motor driven fire engine of course will be in the hundreds of dollars but The Call believes the public is with this movement and is willing to subscribe the full amount for its payment. |
The Call of February 26, 1915 TALKED FIRE TRUCK At the recent special meeting of the Schuylkill Hose Company, there were present several representatives of firms manufacturing fire trucks and chassis for fire trucks. The representatives were quizzed as to the probable cost of changing the present fire truck into an auto fire truck, the advisability of doing so, etc. It was the general opinion of the agents that it would not only be the most economical thing for the company to do but it would give them an excellent auto fire truck. The members present were much interested in the matter and considerable enthusiasm has been stirred up among the entire membership of this company and the public over the prospects of securing an auto truck. The matter will be taken up at the next regular meeting of the company and no doubt definite action taken to purchase the new piece of fire apparatus. |
The Call of April 9, 1915 MAY GET NEW FIRE WHISTLE - Rolling Mill Whistle To Be Tried Out. New Signals In Effect Saturday The Schuylkill Haven public can look for better things in the way of a fire alarm whistle and a system of fire alarm signals. Town Council unexpectedly took action on these matters Monday evening in such a manner that we can almost hear the tones of a new fire whistle already. Within the week, and if not this week, the fore part of next week, the whistle on the rolling mill will have been placed on the electric light plant and the fire alarm whistle on the light plant will be placed on the rolling mill. The change however is only temporary. It is for the purpose of determining whether the rolling mill whistle will answer the purpose of a fire whistle and whether the old fire alarm whistle will answer the requirements of the rolling mill. If the mill whistle proves satisfactory, arrangements will be made by Town Council with Mr. Light of the rolling mill to obtain ownership of it and it will then become the permanent and official fire whistle. There will then be no more siren whistle for fire purposes. As soon as the new whistle has been placed it will be given a tryout and the public may expect to hear the sonorous tones of the new fire whistle quite frequently during the testing period. When the whistle is ready to be tested for fire alarm purposes, due notice will be given, either through these columns or on the Call bulletin board, of the day and hour of which tests are to be made. With arrangements for a new fire whistle council has also taken steps to further increase the efficiency of the fire alarm system by adopting a system of ward signals which will not be nearly so confusing as the old system. The new system of ward signals will go into effect Saturday, April 10th, whether the new whistle is in position or not. The new signals will be used if necessary commencing Saturday, April 10th. Hereafter the location of the fire will be announced as follows: East Ward, one long blast; South Ward, two long blasts; North Ward, three long blasts and the West Ward, four long whistles. This arrangement is according to the size of the wards and the system can be easily remembered. The East Ward is the largest ward and therefore has the first signal. The South Ward, as is well known, is the second largest ward. The North Ward is third and the West Ward fourth and therefore has four long blasts of the whistle as a signal for fire in that ward. The ward signals will be blown following the general signal for fire. There is no reason why the new fire alarm system should be confusing in any way right at the outstart. It will only be necessary to remember the size of the wards. From the fact that it may be necessary to make some changes again in the alarm system as the fire alarm whistle has not been definitely decided upon and may not work out to the best advantage. The Call will not distribute fire alarm signal cards until such a time as the system has been completed and found satisfactory. Fire alarm cards will then be printed and distributed to th epublic free of charge by The Call. |
The Call of May 21, 1915 SCHUYLKILLS BUY NEW FIRE TRUCK At the special meeting of the Schuylkill Hose Company held Thursday evening, it was unanimously decided by those present to purchase a new fire truck. The order was placed with the Waterous Engine Company of Saint Paul, Missouri. It will cost in the neighborhood of $5250. A credit of $1200 will be allowed on the old fire truck, making the total expenditure necessary $4050. The new fire engine is said to be a very durable, light and efficient one. It is styled a Combination Motor Driven Pump and Hose Wagon. The motor to be placed on the machine will be a four cylinder, forty eight horsepower water cooled one. The pump is to be of the improved rotary type with three changes of speed. The capacity of the pump will be 400 gallons per minute. The capacity of the hose portion of the truck will be 1000 feet of two and one half inch fire hose. Before the contract for the purchase of the engine is finally executed, the committee, of which there are twelve members, will visit personally each and every member of the Schuylkill Hose Company and will learn his sentiment as to the procedure best for the company in this matter. That is, whether the majority of members of the company are willing that the indebtedness of the company shall be increased to this amount for the purpose of the new fire apparatus. While there were a considerable number of members present at the meeting Thursday meeting, and although every member was notified and urged to be present, it was thought best to have the expression of every member in this matter. |
The Call of February 26, 1926 FIRE SCARE SUNDAY MORNING Fire starting in the bedroom of the Phillip Freehafer apartments in the James Mellon Building on West Main Street, Sunday morning about 9:45 o'clock, did damage to the extent of a hundred dollars or more. The Freehafers were absent from their rooms at the time. Chemicals were used by the firemen. When discovered thick smoke was pouring from the building. All companies responded. The Rainbow and the Liberty companies went into service with their chemical trucks while the Schuylkill Company had a line of fire hose ready for service. Fire Chief Schumacher exercised good foresight in the method of first investigating the exact location of the fire and then in permitting the use of chemicals only. |
The Call of July 15, 1915 EDITORIAL - LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE FIRE Fires in Schuylkill Haven always have their aftermath productive of suggestions for the increasing of the efficiency of our fire department. The fire of Monday evening, the most disastrous in years, is no exception to the rule. Comments here listed are not made for the purpose of censuring or criticizing, but for the calling attention to little defects which if remedied or improved upon would make for the benefit of the public. Lessons in the blowing of the fire whistle should be given for a time as the whistle being new, there is sufficient reason for mistakes being made in blowing it. A test could well be made say once a month, on the first day of the month at a fixed hour, say six or seven o'clock in the evening. This would have a tendency to acquaint the public with the fire whistle, the employees with its working and insure the whistle being in first class operating condition. If the motorcycle which took one of the water company employees to the water dam to turn on more pressure Monday evening had broken down, the water pressure would have been very poor and the work of the firemen handicapped. The Public Service Commission has issued as a part of its order, specified instructions that, "The valve installed for the purpose of reducing the pressure in the main line.....be kept open and the flow of water from the reservoir to the borough not be reduced." This would be another excellent opportunity to bring to the attention of the Commission the refusal of this company to comply with its orders and no time should be wasted in doing so. Is Schuylkill Haven to continue to be harassed by the Schuylkill Haven Water Company's failure to provide a sufficient amount of water that the pressure must be shut off in order to save a sufficient amount of water for the next day and thus have its property destroyed by fire? Without doubt or question, Borough Council should immediately order additional water plugs placed. It takes a fire to prove the need of plugs in certain sections. The necessity for one in the section visited by the fire has been proven. By all means don't wait for the necessity to be proven by a disastrous fire in some other section of town. Council months ago ordered all the hose in possession of the fire companies to be placed in good repair. Council should not allow the public to be subjected to loss from fire by the refusal or neglect of officials of the fire department to carry out its instructions. Council should take this matter into its own hands at its very next meeting and have every available foot of hose placed in good condition. New hose would also be a splendid investment. A test of all fire plugs should be made as stated intervals by someone competent to do so. True, the plugs are in better condition now then they have been for some time, but an inspection would do no harm and would surely show a number of defects which should be remedied. Fires always cause considerable excitement among the public and the firemen. A little cool headedness and ordinary horse sense among members of the fire companies would go a great way in producing more effective work at conflagrations. Especially would it be advisable for the firemen to obey the instructions and await the orders of superior officers. |
The Call of June 2, 1911 A FIRE ENGINE - SCHUYLKILL HOSE COMPANY ORDERS THE LATEST MODEL Members at Meeting Last Evening Unanimously Decided to Purchase 45 H.P. Fully Equipped Gasoline Engine At the regular monthly meeting of the Schuylkill Hose Company held last evening, the company unanimously decided to purchase a fire engine. The committee: Frank J. Heim, Fred Sheaf, Ray T. Reed, Harry I. Moser and James Schucker, were authorized to sign a contract for the purchase of the same. L. S. Starrett, the eastern representative of the Waterous Engine Works Company of Saint Paul, Minnesota, at the request of the company, was present and thoroughly explained the various types of engines. The engine will be delivered within ten weeks. Upon the arrival of the engine in town several tests will be made and if entirely satisfactory, the engine will be accepted. The engine purchased is a four cylinder motor 44-45 horsepower Waterous Gasoline Fire Engine with a rotary pump capacity of 350 gallons. It has 3 1/2 inch suction hose, double 2 1/2 inch discharge, is built on a forged steel frame, equipped for horse or hand draft. Fitted with duplex electric ignition by means of magneto and battery, it is thoroughly up to date in every respect. If completely equipped it will throw from one to four streams of water. It will be so equipped that the water can be pumped by it from the canal or creeks through the town as well as from the fire plugs. Its cost will be $1,800. |
The Call of June 16, 1911 FIRE SCARE The alarm of fire being sounded Tuesday afternoon caused considerable excitement for a while. The fire was on the Hill Farm but did little damage as it was put out by a hastily formed bucket brigade. It appears that one of the farm hands was fumigating a chicken coop and for that purpose was burning rags well saturated with turpentine. When the electrical storm broke, the farm hand beat it for the house without first putting out the burning rags. In a few minutes the coop was on fire and the alarm was sent in. |
The Call of May 5, 1911 A FIRE ENGINE - SCHUYLKILL HOSE COMPANY DECIDES TO PURCHASE ONE Will Be Valuable Addition To Fire Fighting Apparatus At last the dreams of residents of this town will be realized by the addition to the fire fighting apparatus of this town of a fire engine. The Schuylkill Hose Company at their regular monthly meeting, held in their hose house on Saint Peter Street last night, unanimously decided to purchase a fire engine. The news will be hailed as an important step in the advancement of this borough, as the addition of a fire engine to the apparatus now owned by the various fire companies, and with the prospects of an adequate supply of water, will afford fire protection second to none for towns the size of Schuylkill Haven. The meeting was well attended and much interest and enthusiasm was manifested in the proceedings. Several weeks ago a special committee was appointed to provide funds for the purchase of a valuable piece of fire fighting apparatus. This committee at once decided on the novel scheme of collecting papers and magazines to be sold in bulk. The response of the public was so liberal and when the subject of a fire engine was discussed everyone seemed to be in hearty favor of the same. The committee during its several weeks canvas of town has gathered quite a quantity of paper and magazines and when an amount sufficient to fill a car has been secured it will be disposed of. This will be one method that will be used to defray the expense that will be incurred by the purchase of the engine. Mr. Erhart of Fantasia fame, in a communication to the company, called their attention to his latest production, "The Isle of Folly," and is desirous of having the same produced in this town. The show requires from 85 to 150 participants and from press notices where Mr. Erhart has produced the same is an excellent production. A special committee was appointed to take the matter up with Mr. Erhart this week and if satisfactory terms can be secured it will be produced here. This will be another method adopted to secure funds for the purchase of the long desired and much needed piece of firefighting apparatus. Regardless of what schemes are adopted, the support of the public in this movement should be hearty and general. Clarence Moser and Ray T. Reed were chosen delegates to attend the Six County Fire Company Convention to be held in Sunbury on June 13th. Roscoe Lengle was admitted to membership of the company. The usual routine of business was transacted. |
The Call of January 12, 1917 FIRE TRUCK DAMAGED GOING TO FIRE Responding to the fire alarm Thursday morning, in rounding the corner at Union and Canal Street, the Liberty fire truck struck the curb on the north side curb resulting in the front wheel being broken and the truck put out of service. The driver, Charles Faust, states that on account of a farmer's team being stationed in front of the Runkle store, the corner could not be turned sharply and the above resulted. On the truck with the driver were firemen Walter Bast, Frank Schumacher, Lester Bast, Martin Kerschner, Charles Renninger, Robert Heffner, Floyd Moser, George Umbenhauer and Leon Kramer. Although all the firemen were shaken up when the truck struck and the wheel broke, all escaped without injury. |
The Call of March 23, 1906 HOOKIES DO SPLENDID WORK Most of the town slept peacefully through it all and were surprised to learn on Thursday morning that there had been a fire. What is the matter with establishing a fire alarm system. It was Friendship Hook and Ladder Company's first fire and the boys did valiant work. Their chemical engine works splendidly and recharges quickly. Their equipment of ladders was of the greatest service to the entire department. The splendid work done by the Humane's steam fire engine showed how advantageous a steamer would be. Why don't one of our fire companies equip itself with such a valuable piece of firefighting apparatus? During the fire sparks flew in showers from the mill windows but snow clad roofs saved nearby structures from ignition. Special cars on the trolley brought a lot of Pottsville people down to the fire. The McWilliams family served sandwiches, hot coffee and other refreshments to the firemen, a kindness that was greatly appreciated by the firefighters. One of the trolley cars hauled the Schuylkill's hose carriage to the fire and carried the firemen. |
The Call of February 16, 1906 THE "HOOKIES" FAIR The second annual fair of Friendship Hook and Ladder Company will open tomorrow in Keystone Hall and will continue until March 3rd. The hall has been fitted with pretty booths and tastefully decorated and the many articles on sale have been most temptingly displayed. There will be a most enjoyable program of entertainment for each evening and visiting firemen from other towns will liven up the occasion. Each evening prizes will be given away to holders of the lucky door checks. The restaurant feature of the fair will be in the hands of some of the town's most competent cooks and a splendid bill of fare will be served each evening. The "Hookies" have a balance to pay on the fine combination chemical engine and hook and ladder truck which they purchased last fall and they hope to secure sufficient funds to entirely wipe out the debt. This company is composed of very progressive men, who have established and equipped themselves in the face of many difficulties and they should be given every aid and encouragement to make their fair a complete success. The committee having the fair in charge is composed of Charles H. Bubeck, chairman; G. M. Gerhard, secretary; L. W. Bubeck and Luther Bashore, assistant secretary and Clinton Confehr, treasurer. Contributions of any kind may be left with any member of the committee or delivered at Keystone Hall any time Saturday. |
The Call of August 4, 1905 PROGRESS FOR THE "HOOKIES" BUILDING Friendship Hook and Ladder Company has about completed the work of moving and placing on its new foundations the old Dock Street school house that will ultimately become the company's headquarters. The interior arrangements and fittings of the school house will have to remain so that the building may be used for school purposes until the new school building is finished. Contractor Luke Fisher has finished the base course of Ohio sandstone on the new school house and the bricklayers have begun work on the superstructure. Rudy Moyer, the general contractor, says the building will be rushed to completion as rapidly as is consistent with first class work. The new building will be one of the most modern structures in our town. As soon as the new school house is ready for occupancy and the schools are removed to it the fire company will resume work of making a modern firehouse of their building. |
The Call of August 18, 1905 HO! FOR GLEN ONOKO! Schuylkill Haven's wide awake and up to date fire company, the Friendship Hook and Ladder Company, will hold a monster excursion to Glen Onoko on Saturday the 26th. The excursion train will start from Pottsville, 12th Street station, on the Lehigh Valley Railroad at 7:00 a. m., making the usual stops between Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven. Here the train will stop at 7:30 a. m. at the rear of Jerusalem Church. The train's time at Orwigsburg is 7:30 a. m. Tickets may be purchased from members of the company at Bensinger's drug store, Berger's grocery and Doutrich's clothing store and may be bought on the train. The fare is only one dollar for the round trip for adults and sixty cents for children. A lunch car will be attached to the train so that no one need bother with carrying lunch as it can be obtained on the way to the Glen and on the return trip on the car. The proceeds will be applied by the company to the purchase of their modern and up to date combination chemical engine and hook and ladder truck. The price of this fine piece of firefighting machinery approximates $2,000 and the company wants to be able to plunk down the cash for it when it is delivered here next month. Help the boys along. |
The Call of June 16, 1916 ELECTRIC IRON STARTS FIRE A serious fire was narrowly averted at the home of Mrs. B. W. Saterlee, Thursday morning shortly after five o'clock. An electric iron which was forgotten and left standing with the current turned on was the cause. Machine shop foreman William Smith who resides a few doors away, noticed the blaze in the kitchen of the Saterlee residence and broke into the house and with great difficulty conquered the flames. The kitchen was badly damaged. The fire ate its way through the ironing board and then continued down through a chair and the floor. Miss Ida Saterlee, who was the only member of the family at home, was awakened by the smoke but was unable to get downstairs on account of the density of it. The shop whistle sounded an alarm and the fore company was on the way but they were stopped when it was seen that their services were not required. |
The Call of August 4, 1916 FIRE DAMAGES THE RUDY CONSERVATORY Fire of a mysterious origin slightly damaged the roof of an outbuilding ion the premises of Carl Rudy on Main Street, Wednesday evening about five o'clock. An alarm was sounded and the three companies responded promptly, the Rainbow coming in Spring Garden attached to an auto. Their services fortunately were not required as Mr. Heber Felix with a babcock succeeded in extinguishing the incipient blaze. The building adjoins the wagon shed of liveryman John Brown and is close to the Sausser Brothers store. Had the fire occurred at night time, it might have resulted disastrously and been a difficult fire to conquer. |
The Call of October 20, 1944 CHURCH DAMAGED SLIGHTLY BY FIRE A bird's nest built between the chimney and the building caused all fire companies to respond to a general fire alarm on Monday morning just before eight o'clock at the Assembly of God Glad Tidings tabernacle at 20 east William Street. The nest caught fire when Leona M. webb and Ruth B. Weitkamp, pastors of the church, who live above the church proper, built a fire that morning. Spreading between the partitions it was difficult for the firemen to get at easily. Only slight damage was caused to the building. |
The Call of December 1, 1944 FIRE CAUSES DAMAGE TO EPISCOPAL CHURCH Fire of undetermined origin badly damaged the basement at Saint James Episcopal Church on Sunday morning about ten o'clock. When Reverend Alfred Martin, pastor of the church, arrived at the church he found the basement a mass of flames. The janitor had closed the furnace, as is the custom, and gone back to his home to await time for the service and at that time there was no trace of smoke or fire. A new hot air heating plant had been installed recently but the chimney and all flues were cleaned and checked for safety so that the cause of the fire is not known. The fire got a start under the metal ceiling of the basement and the fire company found it difficult to get at it. The entire basement room is gutted and there is some smoke damage to the auditorium. The pipe organ is not damaged. The loss may reach several thousand dollars and is covered by insurance. The morning worship and Sunday school session was abandoned on Sunday but services will be held in Saint John's Evangelical and Reformed Church for the time being. |
The Call of September 17, 1915 TESTS OF FIRE TRUCK PROVE SATISFACTORY - Streams Thrown Over U. B. Church - Engine Worked Perfectly The tests of the new "Waterous" motor fire engine and truck of the Schuylkill Hose Company were made Wednesday afternoon between 5:30 and 6:30. Quite a large number of persons gathered on the Main Street to witness the scene. There were also present a number of persons from other towns who were interested in watching the work of the new apparatus. Fire Chief Lynaugh and Mr. Couch of the Good Intent Company of Pottsville were noticed among the visitors. Both were very much pleased with the performance of the little wonder. The tests were made as follows: at the Bittle pond on a lift of six feet, two streams one an inch and the other an inch and a quarter through 100 feet of hose on each line, 540 gallons per minute were sent with a 125 pound pump pressure. The second test at the pond was the sending of 505 gallons of water per minute through two 100 foot lines with one inch nozzles with 150 pounds of pump pressure. The third test was made on Main Street. The hose was attached to the plug at the corner of Main and Saint John Streets and run up Main Street to the Grace Evangelical church a distance of approximately one thousand feet. Using a one and a quarter inch nozzle a stream of water was thrown almost to the top of the church steeple with a pump pressure of 250 pounds. The fourth test was made with a one and a eighth inch nozzle on the same line and the water was thrown over the top of the church steeple. On the fifth test two 350 foot lines of hose were used, each having a one inch nozzle. The water was thrown a horizontal distance of 225 feet up Main Street. The pump pressure was 150 pounds. All the tests were made with smooth bore nozzles and the test on Main Street was made, as we all know, on an incline, and in addition the hose was laid irregular in order to make the test all the more severe. The engine has a rated capacity of 350 gallons per minute which was exceeded at least fifty percent and at no time did the engine exert itself. The members of the Schuylkill Hose Company were delighted with the tests and the bystanders who witnessed the stream being thrown over the church were greatly surprised. Since the tests, quite a number of persons who witnessed the same have come across with cash donations, being confident that the town now has a well equipped fire department and can cope with serious conflagrations. Mr. H. Story, representative of the Waterous Engine Company and Mr. W. C. Raddatz, the expert demonstrator, conducted the tests. They were assisted by Chief Commings and Engineer Ray Reed together with a large number of the Schuylkill Hose Company members. Second tests were made Thursday afternoon at Bittle's Dam in the presence of a number of members of the Port Carbon Fire Company who expressed satisfaction at the work the new truck did. |
The Call of February 6, 1914 POOR ALARM SYSTEM The fire on Monday morning proved what an unsatisfactory fire alarm system Schuylkill haven has. A stream of water was played on the Kauffman fire by the Schuylkill Hose Company which was about one half hour after the discovery of the fire when the first alarm or the siren whistle on the electric light plant was blown. When the whistle was blown but one indistinct blast was given and then the ward alarm. This caused many people to think the fire was but a very small one. Numerous reports have been circulating that the Bell telephone operator and the employees of the electric light plant were asleep and could not be aroused for fully half an hour. The Call has made a careful investigation of these rumors and found them to be totally unfounded. The results of the inquiry and investigation are given below but they in no way tend to prove that the fire alarm system in use is a satisfactory one. The fire alarm was sent in by Mrs. Daniel Byerly, who resides across the street from the Kauffman house. Mrs. Byerly states the operator answered her in less than half a minute. The reason why the electric light plant could not be secured was from the fact that one of the three parties on this line had the telephone receiver down and that the line at the plant was not in service. The employees at the plant were notified by Mr. Frank Deibert. Mr. Deibert went to the plant and notified them to sound the alarm. |
The Call of March 23, 1906 H. BERGER & SON'S UNDERWEAR MILL DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT OF $35,000 Fire of mysterious origin on Wednesday night damaged H. Berger & Son's Spring Garden underwear mill to the extent of about $35,000. The flames were discovered about 11:30 o'clock. Theodore Fenstermacher, the fireman and George Hunter were working in the bleachery up to that hour. At about eleven o'clock Fenstermacher went into the boiler room and banked his fires for the night and looked around to see that everything was alright. He returned to the bleachery and he and Hunter finished their work, closed the place and started for home. As they went around the mill they saw a bright light inside and upon investigation found a small storage room above the engine room ablaze. They sounded an alarm and the rainbow, Friendship and Schuylkill fire companies quickly responded but the fire spread so rapidly that by the time the firemen arrived the old original mill building was ablaze. As a matter of precaution Pottsville was appealed to for aid and the Humane engine and truck responded, arriving at about 12:45 o'clock. The local firemen had the fire under control but the Pottsville company very materially aided in drowning out the blaze that continued to rage in the old mill. The firemen worked until six o'clock Thursday morning when the fire was pronounced out and all were dismissed except the Rainbows who remained on duty all day to guard against any outbreak. H. Berger & Son's consists of three buildings, the knitting and storage department, to which is annexed the engine and boiler rooms, the bleachery and the finishing and packaging department. All of the buildings are of brick and of slow burning construction and cover an area of several acres. The knitting and storage building and its engine and boiler room annex was attacked by the flames, neither of the other buildings being so much as scorched. The burned building is known as the old Seyfert grist mill and was built by James Seyfert in 1856 and run as a grist mill until the canal shut down. It later passed into the hands of the McWilliams Estate from whom it was purchased in 1891 by H. Berger and Sons. |
The Call of September 22, 1905 THE HOOKIES CHEMICAL ENGINE TESTED Friendship Hook and Ladder Company on Wednesday night held a most successful test of their handsome new combination chemical engine and hook and ladder truck. The test was preceded by a parade over all of the principal streets of town, starting on Centre Avenue and Dock Street in the following formation: Chief Marshal Charles Bubeck, Aide Elmer Neiman, Citizen's Band, Eight Girls carrying the American Flag, Rainbow Hose Company Apparatus, Rainbow Hose Company, P. O. S. of A. Drum Corps, Schuylkill Hose Company Apparatus, Schuylkill Hose Company, Junior O. A. U. M. Drum Corps, Friendship Hook and Ladder Company Chemical Engine, Friendship Hook and Ladder Company. After making a circuit of the town the parade proceeded to Broadway where the test was held and dismissed. On the flat just above opposite Holton's store a flimsy frame structure was erected and was saturated with coal oil to make it burn more fiercely. When the flames were a roaring seething mass the chemical stream was turned on and in less than half a minute extinguished the blaze. A second time was the building saturated with coal oil and fired and a second time was the fire as quickly extinguished. These two fires used up only the contents of one tank, the engine having in reserve sufficient chemicals for the double test. The test was in every way satisfactory to the firemen and to the throng of fully three hundred persons who gave vent to their enthusiasm in hearty cheers for the "Hookies" and the new fire fighting machine. The apparatus is a combination chemical engine and hook and ladder truck and is of the very latest and most up to date pattern, there not being a duplicate of it in Pennsylvania. The truck is equipped with two 25 gallon chemical tanks of the Holloway pattern and two eight gallon hand extinguishers; a 45 foot rapid extension ladder; 25, 20 and 16 foot wall ladders; 12 foot roof ladder; two axes, one crowbar, four rubber buckets, two lanterns, two pike poles, one pull down hook complete with all attachments, and has patented wheels with roller bearing axles and has a patented combination hand and horse pole with rope and reel, mud apron, and wrenches. It weighs about 8500 pounds and cost $1,900. The truck was built by the Seagraves Company of Columbus, Ohio and the Combination Ladder Company of Providence, Rhode Island. Howard Story of Burlington, New Jersey, their representative, instructed the "Hookies" in the use of the apparatus and assisted them in conducting the test. Although only about a year old the "Hookies" are about as well equipped as similar companies in much larger towns and as soon as the new school house is finished and the old one vacated, will have a first class firehouse. |
The Lebanon Courier of July 30, 1909 HAY WAGON ABLAZE A farmer's blazing wagon of hay pulled at a high rate of speed along the highway between Pottsville and Schuylkill haven created great excitement on that road the other morning. There were other hay wagons piled up eighteen feet high on the highway and the horses dragging the blazing wagon were being absolutely out of control. It looked for a time as if several wagon loads would go up in smoke. The blaze was finally extinguished although the entire load was destroyed. James Horlacher, the farmer who owned the hay and was driving, claims that a spark from a passing locomotive set fire to the load. "It was just a flash," he said, "and the whole thing went up as though it had powder under it." Horlacher's barn is located near McKeansburg. |
The Frederick News of February 5, 1914 BURNED TESTING CURE Testing out a new "heat cure" for rheumatism at their home at Schuylkill Haven, Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Krammes were both burned badly, the latter critically, when the concoction exploded. They were about to use a gasoline stove and had lighted the inflammable liquid, when suddenly there was an explosion which scattered the flaming liquid in all directions. Mrs. Krammes was burned about the head, neck, face and hands, besides inhaling the fire. Her husband escaped with painful but superficial burns. The stove was shattered. |
The Reading Times of February 2, 1915 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN WHISTLE BRIDLED TO SAVE WINDOWS - Siren of Tremendous Vibration Will Be Used For Fire Alarm Negotiations are underway to have the large whistle on the rolling mill transferred to the electric light plant for a fire alarm. The whistle at the mill is bridled in order to prevent it from breaking windows near the mill, the vibrations being so strong. This whistle will be placed on the electric light plant and a trial will be given to it. |
The Reading Times of May 23, 1917 SERIOUS BLAZE IS PREVENTED IN HAVEN GARAGE A fire was discovered amidst a large quantity of gasoline in a Schuylkill Haven garage. What might have been a very serious and costly conflagration was averted recently in the Michel garage near the coal yard of James Schucker. Gus Michel entered the garage and discovered smoke coming from the seat of the auto of George Michel. He extinguished the fire. Large quantities of gasoline were in the garage at the time and adjoining the Michel garage are the stables and garages of James Schucker, Faust's garage and the Unique Theatre, all frame buildings. |
The Reading Times of February 2, 1918 SLIGHT FIRE AT HOTEL A slight fire occurred at Brown's Hotel on Dock Street yesterday morning. The fire was caused by the soot in the chimney becoming ignited from freshly started fire in one of the rooms of the building. Firemen responded promptly and succeeded in extinguishing the flames before any serious damage was done. |
The Reading Times of March 27, 1918 SPARKS DO DAMAGE Sparks from passing locomotives are supposed to have caused the two fires in this locality recently. The first was on the farm of David Moyer below Schuylkill Haven. The flames spread over an area of seven acres, damaging fences and destroying several stacks of buckwheat straw. The flames then ignited the woods of the farm of Reuben Peale. The other fire was near the Seven Stars Hotel and was extinguished before it had attained any headway. |
The Indiana Weekly Messenger of December 9, 1885 PERSHING MAKES RULING Judge Pershing of Pottsville, refused to grant the Rainbow Fire Company of Schuylkill haven a charter because it made a distinction as to race and color, limiting membership to white citizens. The Judge, it is reported, made the facetious remark on the occasion that he "had never known of a rainbow of but one color anyhow." |
The Philadelphia Times of February 9, 1892 BURNED TO DEATH - Terrible Fate Of Old Woman in Schuylkill County While Patrick Sten was driving along the road between Pottsville and Schuylkill haven at 9:30 last night, he discovered smoke and flames issuing from the lower floor of a small frame building occupied by Mrs. Jane Redcap, an aged woman. He drove to the nearest house, the Farmers' Hotel, and arousing the inmates, secured their assistance. When they returned to the burning building it was enveloped in a mass of fire and cries of help were heard coming from the heart of the fiery furnace. They battered down the door but the flames shot out, showing that it was impossible to enter there. A ladder was then secured and placed against the side of the house beneath a second story window. As one of the men was about to ascend it there was a heavy crash and the cries ceased to be heard and the sparks from the burning timbers flashed in the air. After the fire had died out a search was made for the unfortunate being, Mrs. Redcay. She was the only person in the building at the time. Her body was found among the charred ruins, burned to a crisp. |
The Call of October 15, 1915 SLIGHT FIRE WEDNESDAY MORNING A slight fire Wednesday morning about 1:10, routed the good people of this town and the surrounding towns for that matter, from their slumbers. Haven folks were sent to the scene of the fire in the North ward where the carpenter shop of Mr. James Confehr, of Centre Avenue, was crackling away to the merry and stubborn flames. The chemical engine of the Rainbow Hose Company was on the scene promptly and in less than no time had a good stream of chemical playing on the fire. Through their work the adjoining buildings and one or two houses in close proximity were prevented from being ignited. The shop being dry and containing much dry wood, etc., was a mass of flames and burned fiercely. The contents including carpenter tools valued over one hundred fifty dollars together with other tools and paraphernalia were destroyed. The total loss is about $250.00. The alarm was given by an automobile party passing by on Centre Avenue, discovering smoke and small tongues of flames leaping from the building. Reverend E. G. Leinbach, when notified, sent in the alarm to the exchange and in a short time the fire alarm whistle. The three companies responded but the Rainbow Hose Company had the situation in hand and the Schuylkill and the Liberty boys were excused from service. The fire was completely extinguished from a stream of water from a nearby plug. The cause is unknown although hit is believed unknown persons who were in the act of thieving caused it. A lantern was found in the ruins and the supposition is that the same was overturned and set fire to the floor. |
The Call of December 2, 1921 DEFECTIVE CHIMNEY CAUSES FIRE A defective chimney at the residence of W. C. Kline, shoe merchant, caused a fire scare Saturday afternoon about two o'clock. The discovery was made by Mr. Kline when he heard a veritable roar of flames and crackling of wood in the cellar. A still alarm was sent to the Rainbow fore house nearby and the company responded. Both chemicals, a regular stream of water and water from buckets was necessary to extinguish the fire. It is believed the fire had been smoldering between the walls near the cellar foundation since 7:00 a. m. at which time Mr. Kline had made a fresh fire. Several of the floor joists were burned through and the flames had just begun to come through the floor. Had the fire occurred at night it might have destroyed the home and store. Had the fire been discovered just a few minutes later, it would have been impossible to fight it in the cellar as the same is heavily stocked and the flames were about to communicate to the same. |
The Call of March 30, 1923 MULES BLOCKED FIRE TRUCK Just as the Rainbow Hose company truck was about to be driven out of the fire house in response to the Thursday fire, a farmer driving two mules happened along. The driver somehow or other became excited and stopped the mules directly in the pathway of the fire truck. The mules would neither move front nor backward, despite the protests of the driver, the increasing crowd that was attracted to the scene and the shrieks of the fire siren. Finally someone suggested that the building that was on fire but a short distance from the hose house be brought out on Dock Street and placed under the mules. This was not necessary as they were, after persuasion and some cussing, induced to continue on their homeward journey. |
The Call of December 7, 1923 THE RAINBOW COMPANY WAS AT THE FIRE Yes, the Rainbow Hose Company was at the Swartz fire on South Canal Street last week. The fire article in last week's copy of The Call failed to mention the presence of the Rainbow Company and the impression was gained among some folks that the public might feel they were not present at the fire. Upon their arrival they proved to be of considerable importance for had it not been for the foresight of members of this company some months ago, it would have been impossible to connect a line of hose with the fire plug. It was this company that furnished the special coupling instead of the Schuylkill Hose Company. The Rainbow Hose Company is the only company in town that has a special coupling to fit the different types of plugs. Last Thursday evening we might state the Rainbow Boys were remarkably prompt in responding to the six o'clock alarm. They were halfway in town with their two trucks while the second alarm of the fire was being blown. |
Miners Journal of June 18, 1903 ALMSHOUSE MAIN BUILDING BURNS The main building of the Schuylkill County Almshouse, which lies about a mile east of Schuylkill Haven, was badly damaged by fire last night. The blaze was discovered about 9:20 o'clock in the cellar of the building, but the origin is not known. Spontaneous combustion is advanced as the most plausible theory. In an incredibly short space of time the flames had eaten their way from the cellar to the upper portions of the structure and while the two companies from Schuylkill Haven responded promptly, they were unable to cope with the flames. An immense concourse of people assembled, parties driving to the scene of the conflagration from Adamsdale, Orwigsburg, Cressona and other surrounding towns. Many more went to the scene on foot and almost the entire population of Schuylkill Haven turned out to watch. As son as the inmates of the building learned of the blaze there was a mad scramble for the exits. The families of the steward and the other officials who occupied quarters in the building and all the inmates who slept there succeeded in reaching the open air, and those who were able immediately turned a hand towards fighting the flames. For a while it was believed the other structure including the hospital and the insane building might become a prey to the flames but by heroic efforts upon the part of the firemen, and the others who assisted them this danger was averted. The fire was reported to have gotten under control shortly after midnight. When the flames had been partially subdued and the excitement had partially subsided better work was accomplished by the firemen. The streams were directed in to the portions of the blazing building and the firemen were given a better opportunity to reach the seat of the flames. The conflagration started to the west of the main entrance and although its progress was very rapid the greater part of the office furniture and the household goods were saved. During the earlier stages of the conflagration those who were working to conquer the flames were greatly hampered by the thick and suffocating smoke and it was stated that several of the inmates had been overcome and perished in the flames. This could not be verified, however, at the time of the Journal's going to press, the telephonic communication with the institution which had been destroyed by the flames had not been reestablished. The building in which the destructive blaze did its damage is a five story brick structure and the largest and most imposing of the group that comprise the well known institution. It is occupied by the families of the steward and other attendants and is also used to furnish sleeping accommodations for a large number of the inmates. The basement is used as a dining room and kitchen, the second floor is used for offices and the upper floors are used for sleeping quarters. The first four stories were badly damaged by the flames and the southwestern portion of the stricture was totally destroyed. The damage will probably reach $25,000. The inmates of the insane building which is situated near the main building, were thrown in to a state of panic by the flames, and the keepers and caretakers did their utmost to pacify them. Many of those who had been rescued from the burning building stood about half clad, gazing at the awe inspiring sight and shivering in the damp and chilly night air. News of the conflagration was communicated to the Poor Directors and Messrs. Portz and Phillips left for the scene. A request for chemical engine was also sent to Pottsville but the Fire Apparatus Committee could not be reached and so none of the local apparatus was sent. Word was shortly afterward received stating that the fire was under control. Several residents of town who returned from Schuylkill Haven on the last car stated that the fire had originated from a lamp that had been left burning in the kitchen and which had presumably exploded. This, however, could not be verified. |
Miners Journal of November 9, 1908 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HAD $500 FIRE LOSS A slight fire occurred at the home of Mrs. Myra Luckenbill of Garfield Avenue on Friday afternoon. A still alarm was sent in and the Friendship Hook and Ladder Company responded with their chemical engine and succeeded in putting the fire out. The entire upper story, or rather attic, was burned away. The loss was about $500. The furniture in the lower rooms and much of the plastering was ruined by the chemicals and water. |
Miners Journal of January 5, 1909 FIRE DESTROYS STABLE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN Fire yesterday afternoon about 3:15 o'clock destroyed the one and a half story frame stable on the rear of the lot of Charles Hummel of Columbia Street. The Schuylkill Hose and Liberty Fire Companies were promptly on the scene, but the latter for some reason or another were unable to make connection with the plug. The Schuylkill hose coupled up and after waiting several minutes a stream of muddy water finally worked its way through the hose and in a short time the best possible results were obtained but the stable by this time was a complete ruin. Prior to the arrival of the hose companies, it was feared adjoining stables would take fire, in which event a serious conflagration might have resulted, as it would have taken the stables of Mrs. John Hill, Charles Schumacher and probably set fire to the large box factory of Saul and Zang, which is very close to the scene. The stable was occupied by the Dutch Flat Sand Lizards Athletic Club. Outside of the loss of the stable, the loss to the club is slight, although their entire furnishings were destroyed. The cause of the fire is unknown. |
Miners Journal of January 25, 1909 FIRE AVERTED What might have resulted in a disastrous fire was narrowly averted Friday by the prompt action of neighbors at the home of Mrs. William Sausser on High Street, at the site of last year's big fire. The mechanics had built a fire under the cellar steps to thaw open a frozen water pipe and leaving the house for a few minutes, the stairs were ignited and burning fiercely when the discovery was made. The prompt action of neighbors extinguished the blaze. |
Miners Journal of June 12, 1909 SLIGHT FIRE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN A slight fire occurred at the home of Edward Luckens on Dock Street yesterday, which but for the timely discovery of neighbors, would have resulted in a serious conflagration. The cause was a defective chimney and at the same time being filled with soot, the flames had gained considerable headway, but a bucket brigade organized by the neighbors and several members of the Schuylkill Hose Company who, with the hose cart, were on the scene, hardly had a still alarm been sent in, outened the same. The damage will not exceed fifty dollars. The house is the property of Miss Gussie Olwell. |
Miners Journal of January 10, 1910 SLIGHT FIRE AT HAVEN Fire Saturday morning at 10:30 o'clock caused about $100 worth of damage to the property owned by Mrs. McDonald on William Street and occupied by Elmer Staller and the household goods of Mr. Staller. The cause is given as an overheated stove. All the fire companies of town responded but their services were not needed as several buckets of water quenched the flames. |
Miners Journal of April 18, 1910 COWS AND HORSE PERISH The frame barn of William Blankenhorn at Summer Hill, near Schuylkill Haven, was destroyed by fire. Three cows and a horse belonging to Mr. Blankenhorn, formerly of Pottsville, employed as a driver for the Mellet and Nichter Brewing Company, perished in the flames of the barn on Summer Hill, which was destroyed by fire on Saturday afternoon. Some of the farming implements and grain and hay and straw was consumed, the flames having gained so great headway preventing the removal of most of it. The loss will reach several thousand dollars. The owner of the cattle and the horse is a brother of George Blankenhorn of George Street. The origin of the fire is not known. |
Miners Journal of October 22, 1910 FIRE IN PICTURE THEATRE - Fire Proof Booth Saves Lyric Theatre, Schuylkill Haven From Being Consumed Just as the first performance at the Lyric Theatre at Schuylkill Haven was about to start last night about seven o'clock, a spark from the carbon in the moving picture machine ignited a reel and caused a small blaze. The theatre is in the Yoder Building on Saint John Street, which was saved from possibly serious damage because the picture machine was enclosed in a fire proof booth, which prevented the flames from spreading. Three reels of film were consumed by the blaze which was extinguished by a bucket brigade and Babcock extinguishers. Only a small audience was in the house and those in it did not become panicky when the alarm was given but got out safely. The fire department was called out but its services were not required. The loss was small. |
Reading Times of April 3, 1915 PLANING MILL DAMAGED Fire, supposed to have originated from an overheated stove pipe, partly destroyed the planing mill of R. F. Moyer on Dock Street at 9:20 o'clock on Tuesday morning. The flames enveloped the roof before their progress was checked by a hastily formed bucket brigade. The Rainbow Fire Company was at the scene but the fire had been under control before they reached there. The prevailing wind caused some apprehension at the time, but the quick action of the employees prevented the spread of the flames. The loss was slight. |
Pottsville Journal of February 8, 1919 FIRE AT REED'S UNDERWEAR MILL IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The roof of the boiler house of the J. B. Reed underwear factory on William Street, Schuylkill Haven, caught fire from some unknown cause about one o'clock Saturday morning, causing a trifling loss. Two night men are constantly employed at the factory, which is one of the largest in the town. One of the men, who, with his associate, was engaged in work at another end of the mill, noticed the flames. He called his companion and the two set about with fire hose, and succeeded in extinguishing the blaze before the fire companies reached the mill. The flames had a good start. The fire alarm sounded, and for a while, there was much excitement. |
Pottsville Journal of December 31, 1926 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SCARED BY BLAZE - Firemen Brought Out By Scare Caused By Flames In Electric Light Pole Schuylkill haven had another fire scare last evening and the same as usual the firemen had to run all over town to hunt the fire. It was finally discovered on an electric light pole at the upper end of Main Street. The ice had formed a circuit on two wires and the flame shot out from the wires and slightly damaged the pole. The three fire companies responded promptly. |
Pottsville Journal of July 20, 1928 BOLT OF LIGHTNING SETS FIRE TO BARN - Structure And Entire Contents Destroyed At North Manheim Farm Struck by lightning about eight o'clock last evening, the barn of Oscar Trumbo of North Manheim Township, between Orwigsburg and Schuylkill Haven was totally destroyed by fire following in the wake of the bolt. With the exception of livestock, practically the entire contents of the barn were destroyed in the ensuing blaze, which rapidly spread. Crops, machinery, and farm implements all fell prey to the flames. Members of the Orwigsburg fire companies were dispatched to the scene of the blaze, and after a hard battle lasting nearly two hours, the flames were extinguished. Firemen were at the fire until 12:15 o'clock, however, to make certain that the flames did not spread anew. The loss is estimated at about $10,000. |
Pottsville Journal of January 8, 1929 FIRE ALARM SYSTEM FOUND EFFICIENT - Test At Schuylkill Haven Shows Apparatus Is Working Satisfactorily The new fire alarm boxes and system were given a special test and inspection and found to be working alright, with a few minor adjustments the system was ready for approval. It will be placed before council at its next meeting for approval on the equipment and will be turned over to the fire department for public use. The system is automatic and in addition to registering the location of the fire on an indicator board in each fire house, it will indicate by punching the number from the box from which the fire alarm was sent in on strips of paper on the order of ticker tape. It will enable firemen to respond directly to the scene without first driving about town to determine location. With the new system , the public must observe certain regulations. A complete list and location, also numbers of the twenty different fire alarm boxes in the town is given. In case of a fire, it is necessary to pull up the cover and then pull down the lever found inside the box. Give it but one pull and close the box. Do not wait for any further signs, noises or indications from the box itself. The electric contact having been formed immediately upon the pulling down of the lever, the signal of fire is being registered at the electric light plant and each of the three fire houses. The siren whistle at the electric light plant will be blown as a signal of the fire. Whether or not the curfew whistle will be blown to indicate the box number will be determined by the Board of Fire Trustees. The alarm of fire may also be sent in by telephone but it will be of no use unless the box number nearest the scene of the fire or nearest your home is given. Without the box number the fire department cannot tell where the fire is located. The Board of Fire Trustees will determine whether or not the three fire companies will be required to respond to every fore alarm or whether but one company will be expected to send its apparatus to the scene of the fire upon the first alarm. The box numbers and street location are: 12 Haven and Hess, Stanton's Mill; 13 Haven and Dock, Klahr's store; 14 Center Avenue, John Flammer residence; 15 Garfield Avenue, Lehigh Valley arch; 16 Dock and Berger, Ehly's store; 17 Dock and Paxson Avenue, Episcopal Church; 18 Broadway, Flat; 21 Main and Grant, William Mill residence; 22 Union and Avenue A, Fairmount; 23 Union and Pleasant Row, old school; 24 main and Saint Peter, Bowman's store; 25 Market and Saint Peter, Rowland's Mill; 26 Liberty and Saint Peter, A. Maberry store; 31 Saint John and Union, Coldren's Mill; 32 Saint John and William, Reed's Mill; 33 Liberty and Railroad; 34 Parkway and Columbia, Walkin Shoe; 35 Main and Parkway, Meck's Mill; 41 Berne and Columbia, Stoyer's Garage; 42 Orchard and Berne, Hillside. |
The Call of January 12, 1917 THAWING PIPES CAUSES FIRE Attempting to thaw open some frozen pipes Thursday noon, at her home on Saint John Street, adjoining the residence of Reverend Carson, Mrs. Jacob Wildermuth accidentally set fire to the flooring of the house. The alarm was sent in by Reverend Carson who later procured several buckets of water and with the assistance of Reverend Richter had the blaze extinguished before the arrival of the fire department, which promptly responded. One of the first volunteer firemen to arrive was Heber D. Felix with his Babcock extinguisher. The loss will amount to only a few dollars. Mrs. Wildermuth used paper and rags in her efforts to open the pipes. |
The Call of February 23, 1917 HOSE COMPANY FAIR WILL BE EXTENDED A WEEK -Fair Crowds Attend Nightly-Honor Roll Of Cash Contributors Growing The fair and bazaar of the Schuylkill Hose Company, which nightly for the past ten days, has been only fairly attended in Keystone Hall, is to be continued another week. This will give to those who were unable to attend on account of other engagements an opportunity to assist the firemen in their community wide cause. Although a large number of gifts have been presenter during the past week, it appears as though there is no end to what still remains to be disposed of. The taking from the hall of one article finds two or more in its place. The members of the company having the fair in charge are more than delighted with the progress thus far made and from the proceeds realized. Late into the night this committee has been working of the auditing of this or that book, replacing articles in this or that booth and devising attractions for each evening. A great deal of credit is due to Mrs. C. S. Commings, assistant chairlady. Owing to illness in the home of the chairlady, Mrs. James Noecker, Mrs. Commings has been handling the reins of the ladies' committee and has more than successfully guided them to still greater hope and ambitions. The above statement is no less true of the other members of the committees, whose names were published in the columns of The Call last week. During the week a number of visiting firemen from the surrounding towns were noticed in attendance and the spirit of good fellowship that always exists between bodies of a similar organization was manifested upon these visits. |
Pottsville Journal of July 24, 1929 FIREMEN RESPOND TO FALSE ALARM - Schuylkill Haven Men Unable To Find Any Blaze - Blamed On Boys Schuylkill Haven had another fore scare on Sunday morning and the fire companies were unable to locate the fire. The hose companies came rushing up Parkway, William Street to the corner of Saint John and William Streets. One of the firemen got off the hose truck and looked at the fire alarm box and said the alarm came from the box at the corner of Saint John and William Street. There was no person in that vicinity that saw anybody tampering with the box. The box may have been tampered with by some small boys in the neighborhood. There was no fire. |
The Call of February 18, 1971 RECOLLECTION OF CLYDE DEWALD ON THE HOTEL GRAND FIRE OF MARCH 8, 1932 The recent early morning fires, fought by gallant firemen in sub zero temperatures, recalls to Postmaster Clyde Dewald, the fire which March 8, 1932, destroyed Hotel Grand on Main Street where Dewald lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Dewald, who leased the hotel. At the time of the fire the building was occupied by 24 guests and the Dewalds and their children, Clyde, Viola (now Mrs. Stanford Rehrer), and Vera (now Mrs. Vera Behler). Among the occupants of the hotel were Carl Wilson, Mary Juris, "Pea Coal" John Deibert, John Baker, Paul Calnan (now living in Cressona) and A. H. Kline, father of Dr. H. Kline, a dentist in Reading. Also living at the hotel were many engineers working on construction of Route 83. Lewis Dewald died in 1937 and Mrs. Dewald, now 85, resides with Clyde and family on Center Avenue. Today when Dewald hears the fire whistle his thoughts go back to that tragic fire of almost 39 years ago and he can still see the flames, which due to the wind, blew out over what is now Haven Hardware. When the Dewald family was first alerted about the fire, Dewald, then twelve, ran back for his school books. The family was given shelter at Luongo's (now Ralton's). Later they were taken to the home of Dr. Rutter where Dewald became ill and for ten days in a delirious condition, kept recalling the fire. Following the fire, Dewald remembers going with his mother to a storage room on the third floor where all that was left was a wooden trunk containing two woolen shawls, now prized possessions of his mother. According to Dewald, one of the first Losch boiler units manufactured was installed in the hotel. The unit burned a coal dirt which sold for fifty cents a ton. Today the unit heats the Boussum building, just a few doors away from the site of the hotel. |
The Call of March 11, 1932 FIRE DESTROYS HOTEL GRAND Fire Tuesday morning, March 8, at 2:45 o'clock, caused property damage in Schuylkill Haven to an amount estimated between $75,00 and $80,000; gave firemen from Schuylkill Haven and four companies from surrounding towns a terrific battle; caused the complete and total destruction of the Hotel Grand building, owned by the State Bank of Schuylkill Haven, and occupied on the first floor corner portion by the State Bank and first floor Main Street front by the United States Post Office; a part of the second floor by the Prudential Insurance Company and the rear first floor and second, third and fourth floors by the Hotel Grand proper, and a portion of the fourth floor by the Bressler Band. A separate frame three story building, owned by the State Bank and occupied by the Schwartz store and located on Saint John Street, was very slightly damaged by the flames. The furniture and household goods of Schwartz were damaged by water and the stock on the first floor damaged by water and smoke. Damage was also done to the Gray building on Main Street, which adjoins the Hotel Grand building. The fire wall above the third floor of the Gray building was damaged and a portion of the cornice burned. Some of the furniture in the apartments of the Gray building were damaged. The stock of clothing and furnishings on the first floor were damaged by smoke. H. CARL WILSON DISCOVERED FIRE H. Carl Wilson, who made his home at the hotel, discovered the fire and aroused all of the guests. All the guests were gotten out in safety. Mary Juris, employee of the hotel, had to flee in pajamas and light coat. John Deibert, guest, overlooked his teeth and spectacles. A. H. Kline, guest, had been very ill and had to be helped from the building. Pottsville sent a truck with high ladders and a pumper. Orwigsburg sent Friendship Number 1 pumper and Cressona sent a pumper from the Cressona department. Firemen were required to change clothing several times as they soon became soaked. Grays Brothers furnished 300 pairs of gloves, warm shirts, underwear, caps and raincoats. Sol Schwartz supplied gloves and underwear. The Call and Gray's sent the firemen to the Candy Kitchen and Reading Restaurant for sandwiches and coffee. Saint John Street, between Main Street and The Call office, within several hours had become a veritable frozen river. The ice was several inches thick and where the firemen stood they were compelled to stand in several inches of ice cold water. Spray formed an ice coating on the windows of the Schwartz store an inch and a half in thickness. Wires became ice encrusted and sagged almost to the pavement. The standing front wall of the hotel building became ice encrusted to a depth of several inches. The fire raged for hours and not until about 5:45 o'clock was there any basic reason for ease. Water was poured into the smoking t=ruins until nine o'clock. A very narrow escape of hosemen standing on Saint John Street resulted when a big section of brick wall from the third floor came crashing down. When the cupola on the fourth floor burned off, it toppled to the ground and struck a wire, changing its course and saving firemen in the street below. Because of weather conditions, the fire was the most difficult to fight in many years. The flames whipped by a terrific gale, spread rapidly from the point where first discovered on the third floor of the frame portion of the building on the rear of Saint John Street. The stiff breeze made it impossible to direct the streams of water to the uppermost portion of the hotel building and this section was quickly enveloped in flames. The zero temperatures caused the water and spray to freeze on firemen and surroundings. Hosemen were soon covered with a coating of ice and suffered considerably from exposure. What caused the fire has not been definitely determined. It is known that it started in a small closet near a bathroom on the third floor. Dewald states that the only thing in the closet were scrub buckets and cleaning equipment. While the fire did not destroy any portion of the first floor, dripping water made a sorry spectacle. In the portion occupied by the bank, water continued to drip and the floor was covered with water and after several hours the center portion sagged. The dining room of the hotel with its eight large dining tables covered with linens and dishes presented a sorry picture with water dripping on the tables and ran onto the floor. NEW LOCATIONS The State Bank opened Wednesday morning in temporary quarters in the Luongo building on Saint John Street. The Post Office is now located in the Luongo building in the store room vacated by William Lengle. Prudential Insurance Company transferred to the Pottsville office. Guests at the hotel found other quarters. The Hotel Grand building occupied the site of the historic Washington Hotel, which was built very early in the history of the town. The present building was rebuilt by Daniel Yoder in 1895. Yoder operated the hotel several years and was succeeded by Preston Souder. He sold to Clayton Bubeck who disposed of it to the State Bank in 1923. Messrs. Shollenberger and Yeager obtained the lease to operate the hotel portion. Yeager retired soon thereafter and Shollenberger conducted it for several years. The present lessee, Lewis Dewald, has been operating it about two and one half years. At the time of the fire the building was occupied by 24 guests and Mr. and Mrs. Dewald and a family of three. This is the biggest fire loss sustained in Schuylkill Haven for some time. The loss total is made up of the following items: State Bank, entire building, $60,000; Lewis Dewald, lessee of the Hotel Grand, five rooms of furniture, etc., $3,500; Gray's, $3,500; Ruth Bubeck, music studio in hotel, $500; Bressler Band, instruments and furnishings, $2,000; Prudential Insurance Company, $1,000; Mrs. Marie Roehring, furnishings, $500; Sol Schwartz, $2,000; Mr. Shollenberger, furnishings, $4,500; for a grand total of $77,500. |
The Call of May 25, 1917 ORWIGSBURG MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON David B. Earhart, of Orwigsburg is in the county prison, charged before Squire C. A. Moyer, of town, with breaking and entering the tool house at the Bowen washery on the outskirts of town and near the home of Reuben Peale. The charge of supposed arson has also been lodged against Earhart. The arrest in the case was made by state trooper Arthur Parker, following the destruction of the Bowen tool house by fire. It is alleged that all circumstances point to Earhart as being the guilty man, it being claimed that he had in his possession at Orwigsburg, a saw belonging to Bowen. Earhart at one time was employed by Bowen but was discharged. Bowen places his loss at nearly $400, a quantity of oil and tools being consumed by the flames. |
The Call of May 25, 1917 DISCOVERY PREVENTS FIRE AT BIG FACTORY The timely discovery of an incipient blaze on the roof of the boiler house at the Union Knitting Mills, shortly after eleven o'clock Tuesday night, probably prevented a serious conflagration. The roof was ablaze when the discovery was made by the night watchman. With the assistance of Roy Perry and Herman Miller, a hose was procured and the blaze extinguished. A strong wind was blowing at the time. During the brief excitement, a party named Fox, residing near the mill, fell from a ladder and severely sprained his ankle. He was carried to his home. It is believed that an overheated smokestack ignited the wood work. |
The Call of August 31, 1917 SLIGHT FIRE AT ROLLING MILL An overheated flue at the rolling mill shortly after two o'clock on Saturday morning caused damage to the extent of about two hundred dollars. The fire was discovered by Harrison Mease and William Hummel, employees, who sounded an alarm and this in turn was taken up by the employees at the light plant and the regular alarm sounded. The fire companies quickly responded and through their excellent work, soon had the incipient blaze extinguished. One of the companies ran their hose across the Reading Railroad tracks with the result that traffic was tied up for less than a half hour. The fire did not inconvenience the operating of the mill as it was confined to the roof of the building. |
The Call of May 18, 1917 TIMELY DISCOVERY AVERTS BIG BLAZE What might have been a very serious and costly conflagration was averted Wednesday afternoon in the Michel garage, located near the coal yard of James Schucker. It was near the hour of four o'clock when Gus Michel entered the garage with an auto and discovered smoke coming from the seat of the auto of George Michel. No time was lost by him in locating the fire and extinguishing the same. Oily rags had come in contact with wires from the storage battery and it is believed this started the incipient blaze. Large quantities of gasoline were in the garage at the time and adjoining the Michel garage are the stables and garages of James Schucker, the garage of Charles Faust, the residence of tonsorial artist Fisher and the Unique Theatre, all frame buildings and situated very close to one another. The damage to the auto was very slight. |
The Call of October 26, 1917 USE FENCE RAILS TO MAKE BON FIRE A farmer residing near Schuylkill Haven was awakened one evening recently by neighbors who informed him that his woods were on fire. After summoning other neighbors and other men hurried to the grove to find a large flaming bon fire being fed by good fence rails, the property of the farmer. The fire was for the purpose of roasting frankfurters, marshmallows, etc., and the near midnight grove feast was being indulged in by two Schuylkill Haven young girls and two male escorts from Adamsdale. The farmer instead of bringing prosecution has contented himself with the reprimand given the destroyers of the property. |
The Call of October 19, 1917 FIRE SCARE IN SPRING GARDEN Spring Garden had its fire scare Tuesday of this week, when about 7:30 o'clock in the evening the fire alarm whistle sounded. Fire had been discovered at the store of John Freeman on Center Avenue. The fire was discovered by the proprietor, Mr. John Freeman, in the hallway of the store which is used as a storeroom. The alarm was sent in by Robert Gehrig. The Rainbow Hose Company was promptly on the job and with the use of chemicals extinguished the blaze. The damage will amount to about $200. A considerable amount of tobacco, cigars, cigarettes and extracts were damaged. Had the fire not been promptly discovered a real serious one might have resulted as the place where the flames had gained a headway was separated from the storeroom by a partition and a closed door. |
The Call of October 12, 1928 FALSE ALARM OF FIRE BRINGS OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT An alarm of fire about 9:30 o'clock Tuesday evening brought out the entire fire department and for a time the trucks were playing tag with one another in the down town section, in an effort to find the location of the fire. The alarm of fire was sent in by telephone and was sent in because smoke was seen coming from a chimney of a home on Saint John Street. After investigation it is said it was found that the owner had just started a furnace fire. In the midst of the excitement an accident was narrowly averted at the Main Street crossing when the gates were lowered because Number Nine was just pulling into the station. Two fire trucks that happened along were compelled to make a quick turn into the street to the left of Main Street, at the Gray building. This tag business with the fore departments is one of the conditions which it is hoped the new fire alarm system will overcome. |
The Call of August 3, 1917 BARN AND CONTENTS DESTROYED A barn and its contents, on the outskirts of town, was struck by lightening and destroyed. It was that of Willoughby Krammer, about one mile from the town limits and on the road to Long Run. The owner was in his home about a hundred feet from the barn when he noticed smoke coming from the end near the roof. He summoned the members of his family and together they rescued the three horses, six cows and two heifers, but thirty two loads of hay, a binder, a drill, a new mowing machine, several wagons and quantities of rye, oats, corn and wheat were all consumed. Word of the fire was sent to Schuylkill Haven and the Liberty, Schuylkill and Rainbow Companies responded. Other than keeping the flames from communicating to the house and other buildings, their services were not needed as the flames had gained too much headway. Mrs. Krammer stated to The Call representative that she and her family had worked hard all summer in helping to harvest the grain and now practically everything was gone. She was prostrated over the fire and had to be given medical attention. Mr. Krammer places his loss at nearly $8,000 with only $2,000 insurance with H. W. Bressler. |
The Call of October 19, 1928 HORSES, COWS AND SHEEP DESTROYED IN FIRE Two horses, two cows, seven sheep, one bull, together with the season's crops, farm implements, etc., were destroyed Saturday evening by fire in one of the most costly and disastrous farm fires that has visited this section of Schuylkill County in years. Especially is this true as to the number and the value of the livestock that perished. The barn and property destroyed was that of Mr. Ambrose, who resides in the Deibert's Valley, a short distance from the top of the Schuylkill Mountain road leading to Schuylkill Haven. The fire was discovered about eight o'clock. The flames leaped high and illuminated the sky so that the attention of people for miles and miles about was attracted. Hundreds of people motored to the fire and the roads in the neighborhood, on account of being narrow, soon became blocked. Sunday, motorists in large numbers, visited the scene and gazed with awe at the ruins and the charred bodies of the livestock. At the time the fire was discovered, Mr. Ambrose and his daughters were the only members of the family at home. They had been resting after a hard day's labor in which much of the season's crops had been placed and threshing had been completed. Little could be saved from the flames which rapidly engulfed as it were the entire barn. Although every effort was made to save the horses, cows and sheep by neighbors who quickly responded, all proved without avail. Mr. Ambrose made desperate efforts to save the bull which was of considerable value. He could not do so and almost lost his life in his desperate efforts. Not until he had been literally covered with burning straw which fell upon him, was he forced to leave the flaming structure. The loss is said to be considerable and only partially covered by insurance. No cause has been assigned to the fire. It is the second fire to occur in that rural locality within several weeks time. |
The Call of November 23, 1928 ALMSHOUSE MAY BE CONNECTED WITH LOCAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Acting upon the recommendation of the November grand jury that the Schuylkill County Almshouse and adjoining buildings be connected with the new fire alarm system being installed in Schuylkill Haven, it is understood the county officials are actually and seriously considering such procedure. The buildings at present are without any protection so far as a fire alarm system is concerned. As the fire department in Schuylkill Haven would in the event of a fore be first appealed to, it is more than likely that the county will be willing to bear the additional expense of connecting the institution with the Schuylkill haven fire alarm system. |
The Call of September 11, 1931 HOME IN TOWNSHIP BURNED TO GROUND Wednesday morning, between eight and nine o'clock, the home of William R. Long, near the school house on top of the hill at Willow Lake in North Manheim Township, was completely destroyed by fire. Furniture, clothing, etc., on the second floor of the home was also destroyed but everything on the first floor of the building, excepting the kitchen stove, was removed to safety by neighbors and friends. A still alarm of fire was sent into Schuylkill Haven and two pieces of apparatus from the Rainbow Hose Company were sent to the scene. By reason of the slippery condition of the steep hill near to the burning building, made exceedingly dangerous by the light fall of snow, it was sometime before the fire apparatus could be driven to the building. A line of hose of over 1500 feet was finally laid to Willow Lake and water was pumped on the fire. The building however, had almost been destroyed by this time. Chemicals were also used but the headway was so great that the flames could not be subdued. The fire is believed to have started from an overheated chimney and was first discovered on the second floor of the building. |
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The Call of October 4, 1935 FALSE ALARM OF FIRE Sunday evening, about 8:20 o'clock, the fire alarm in Schuylkill Haven was sounded, greatly exciting the many persons who were in attendance at church services in particular. To the excitement was added the fact that the apparatus of the fire companies seemed to be playing a game of chase about town. This was all due to the fact that the alarm system at the fire houses failed to register correctly and distinctly. The fire chief, Claude Sausser, stated the alarm was sent in from Box Number 15, which box is at the Lehigh Valley railroad arch on Garfield Avenue. The mechanism at the light plant also failed to register properly. This resulted in the Rainbow Hose Company in the North Ward rushing into town via Haven Street, while the down town fire companies chased out Dock Street to the North Ward, and finally they all reached the same point and after failing to find even smoke of any kind in the vicinity from which the alarm was supposed to have been sent in, all returned to the fire houses. |
The Call of October 18, 1935 CHARGED WITH SETTING FIRE TO HIS HOME On the charge of arson, George Ambrose, 54, residing on the Schuylkill Mountain near Schuylkill Haven, was committed to jail to await action of court. This was the result of charges of arson being brought before Squire Kline on Thursday afternoon of last week, by State Troopers McBride and Bell of the Tamaqua substation. It was claimed that relatives of Ambrose saw him enter the Ambrose home Tuesday, shortly after the noon hour, and a few minutes later fire was discovered in the home. The property had originally been that of Ambrose but it was deeded over to his wife, and Ambrose for the past year had been quarreling with the family and visited the home intermittently. |
The Call of December 13, 1935 FIRE DESTROYED BARN MONDAY MORNING A barn on the property of Clayton Killian near Willow Lake at Schuylkill Haven was completely destroyed by fire on Monday morning about two o'clock. The cause of the same has not been determined. The building was used to store farm implements and coal. The Liberty Fire Company was summoned but upon arrival, found the structure completely doomed. |
The Call of December 20, 1935 SATURDAY FIRE BADLY DAMAGES HOME Fire, discovered at about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, badly gutted the interior of the home of George Wiley on Columbia Street. The fire started in a closet in the dining room and spread to the woodwork in a room to the rear and to the front room. In the kitchen, the board ceiling and walls are badly scorched and at places burned through. The same is true in the dining room and front room. The carpet in the middle room was ruined. In the second story rooms, the ceilings and walls will have to be repapered. Furniture on both first and second floors was badly damaged by the flames and chemicals and the smoke that came from all parts of the building. Firemen finally broke down a rear door and located the flames but smoke continued to pour from the upstairs windows. The property is owned by the Schuylkill Haven Trust Company. The family was absent from the premises at the time the fire was discovered, having left but a few minutes before. |
The Call of December 27, 1935 RECENT FIRE CAUSED BY MATCH One of the recent fires in Schuylkill Haven was caused by one of the children of the family dropping a match in a clothes and miscellaneous closet while hunting for his cap. A confession and clean breast of the entire matter was made to Fire Chief Claude Sausser. The youth at first was very reluctant to confess to the part he had unintentionally played in having the home and furniture and clothing of his parents badly damaged and ruined by fire, smoke and water. Following the fire, there were certain circumstances that led Fire Chief Sausser to begin investigation. Piece by piece the story was put together then when the youngster hesitated answering the summons of the fire chief to his home, further suspicions were confirmed. The lad was told to remain home while the parents went shopping. He decided to go out and join his companions. He needed his cap. The shutters on the windows had been closed and the home was in darkness. A match was used and the cap was found. The match, supposedly extinguished, was dropped in the bottom of the closet, where there happened to be paper, etc. It began to smoke. The boy thought he put out the fire and went out with his friends. He thought about the smoke that had been closed in the closet. He returned home and opened the front door to let out the smoke. He is supposed to have done this several times but did not investigate conditions in the closet. Here the fire was smoldering. Firemen in the firehouse across the street, the Liberty fire house, for about half an hour, noticed smoke coming from the front door when the boy opened it. They thought nothing of it because it was known that the father frequently used wood to start a fire and smoke in the home usually resulted. Finally when one of the firemen discovered that smoke was coming out of the second story windows in thick clouds, they made an investigation and discovered a roaring furnace in the closet. |
The Call of May 22, 1931 SLIGHT FRIDAY MORNING FIRE A fire alarm was sounded at nine o'lcokc in the morning on Friday, calling the firefighters to the home of Mabel Kramer at 443 Columbia Street, formerly the Bittle homestead. A defective chimney leading from the kitchen range caused the cnflagartion which had a good start when discovered. Neighbors formed a bucket brigade and had the fire practically extinguished before the arrival of the fire department. The property damage will be about $25. |
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The Call of February 25, 1893 A SCENE OF GAIETY AT THE HOSE HOUSE The Schuylkill hose house was a scene of gaiety and festivity last Monday evening. The members of the company tendered the ladies who assisted then at their fair last winter and the festival last summer a magnificent social in their new house. The lower floor was cleared and the carriage was removed to Bryant's stable and the tables were taken to the second floor. The second floor was very tastily arranged by the committee for the entertainment of the guests. A number of tables and games had been procured for the playing of games. Honorable S. A. Losch, president of the company, delivered the address of welcome and all hands caught the spirit of the speaker in making themselves at home and in making the meeting one of enjoyment. Weston's orchestra of Pottsville was engaged for the occasion. At about nine o'clock the party marched from the parlor on the second floor to the carriage room below when the dancing began. Those who preferred the playing of games returned to the parlor and thus the evening was spent until about twelve o'clock when refreshments were served, after which the social merriment continued until about two o'clock when the party returned to their respective homes very much elated over the pleasant evening they had spent. The occasion was another manifestation of the fact that the Schuylkill Hose Company "do things up right" whenever they attempt to do anything. |
The Call of August 17, 1893 SLIGHT FIRE Great excitement prevailed at noon today when an alarm of fire was given. The coal house at the residence of C. J. Christian took fire. In a few minutes the Schuylkill Hose Company was on hand with their carriage and in ten minutes after the alarm was given they were ready to turn the water on the fire. It was gotten under control by a bucket brigade and the damage was slight. |
The Call of October 21, 1893 FIRE AT WILTROUT'S What might have been a serious conflagration might was averted last Monday evening. Some old rags which were stored in an outbuilding in the yard at Charles Wiltrout's residence in some mysterious way became ignited. They smoldered away for some time and were discovered by the stench and smoke that came forth from the building. Samuel Kline notified "Wiltrout's Goose" of the state of affairs and "Billy" had Wiltrout's hose company out in short order. With the assistance of the neighbors the fiery element was extinguished without much ceremony and the danger passed without the community realizing it. |
The Call of September 8, 1894 SLIGHT FIRE A slight fire occurred at Lautenbacher's underwear factory on Tuesday evening about nine o'clock. A big crowd gathered about the plavce and both of the hose companies responded to the alarm. There services were not needed, however, as the fire was put out with buckets. The fire was caused by the explosion of a lamp. |
The Call of December 15, 1939 LAST FRIDAY EVENING'S BLAZE HARD TO FIND The fire alarm siren last Friday evening, shortly after eight o'clock, sent shivers up and down the backs of many persons because of the fact that a high wind was blowing at the time. Fortunately, the blaze was confined to a point between the walls of the home occupied by Charles Bubeck of East Main Street. It was due to an overheated flue. It was at a place hard to get at but the firemen with the use of water from the booster tanks, succeeded in extinguishing it without any great amount of damage. Firemen, however, were unable to first locate the blaze as the alarm was sent in by telephone to the electric light plant. After checking at a number of different fire alarm boxes in the vicinity where the dial system in the fire houses indicated where the fire was located, nothing was found. Upon inquiry, through the telephone exchange, it was found the alarm was sent in from the Oswald store. The fire chief, returning to that locality, found other units of the fire department had finally been told of the exact location of the fire and were at work trying to extinguish it. |
The Call of November 29, 1940 FIRE SUNDAY CAUSES SLIGHT DAMAGE A fire at the Susan Shappell estate property on Center Avenue, Sunday afternoon, proved to be a large amount of smoke and very little flame. Firemen reported that the fire was caused by a faulty kitchen range stove pipe which passed through a partition in to the chimney. It is believed the pipe came apart and set fire to the partition. Because of the location of the flames behind the partition, firemen had difficulty in extinguishing the fire. The loss was estimated at $50. |
The Call of October 29, 1948 LIBERTY HOSE COMPANY BUILDING ADDITION A one story cinder block addition is being built along side the Liberty Hose Company building on Columbia Street to house the new fire truck purchased several weeks ago. The addition will be 32 feet wide fronting on Columbia Street and will be 36 feet in depth. The new truck was found to be too high to fit in the old building and because of its weight, twelve tons, the truck would have been unsafe on the present floor. Rather than make the necessary changes to the old building and then have crowded quarters, the firemen decided to build a new addition for the truck. Later on the present building will be remodeled. The old truck will be sold. This latest undertaking of the Liberty hose company adds approximately $5,000 to $15,000 expenditure made for the fire truck. Part of the money has been raised but further appeals will have to be made to the public. When an activity is presented by the firemen to raise funds, they will appreciate the support or at the present time will accept donations. |
The Call of February 3, 1928 SLIGHT FIRE AT REFOWICH THEATRE The first fire alarm of the year was sounded Wednesday evening when a flash of flame in the projection booth at the Refowich Theatre caused someone to hurriedly send in the alarm of fire. The use of fire extinguishers quickly extinguished the flames and from the fact that the projection booth or room is entirely fireproof there was little danger of the flames spreading. The fire was caused by the film catching on fire possibly from a spark from one of the sprocket wheels. All the fire companies responded quickly but fortunately their services were not required. |
The Call of March 15, 1929 FALSE FIRE ALARMS NOW IN ORDER Unannounced and unscheduled tests of the new fire alarm system installed in Schuylkill Haven appear to have been the popular pastime of some unknown persons the fore part of the week. Not only has the general public been given a thrill by the sending in of these fire alarms but one of the alarms has resulted in one of the firemen being quite painfully injured, namely, Herbert Sausser, who suffered a broken wrist in attempting to start the fire truck of the Schuylkill Hose Company. The police have been working on clues as to the identity of the person who at least sent in the alarm of fire Monday morning but have not been able to pin the charge to the guilty persons. Sunday evening's alarm was sent in from Box #17 at the corner of Dock and Paxson Avenue. It was sent through shortly after seven o'clock and caused considerable excitement. All the companies responded and after investigating in the particular district covered by the alarm box, determined the alarm was a false one. The Schuylkill Hose Company however, drove to the South Ward, being misled by heavy smoke along Parkway from a fire that was being started in one of the mills. Hose lines were attached to the fire plug at the Harry Becker property and lines taken across the parkway to the corner of Columbia and Canal Streets. It was said by some firemen present that the alarm was sent in from Box #34, corner of Canal and Columbia Streets. This however, did not prove to be correct. Traffic for a time had to be rerouted until the hose lines were removed. Monday morning about 8:45 another false alarm was sent in. This time it was from Box #31, Saint John and Union Streets. The person who sent in this alarm was seen by several persons. The person wore a gray overcoat and cap and was seen to run from the box and them up the railroad toward the freight house. Officers endeavored to trace the man and questioned a number of persons but it is believed the fellow made his way to Connor's where he boarded a trolley car. |
The Call of March 29, 1929 TWO HOURS TO EXTINGUISH FIRE ON DUMP Fire breaking out on the dump at Schuylkill Haven Thursday afternoon, gave firemen two or more hours work before it was completely extinguished. The alarm was sent in by the health officer when he investigated conditions and found them alarming, the fire having spread over a considerable space and threatened to communicate to the trees and underbrush. Had this occurred, the flames would have spread across the lowlands and the "Eck" and communicated with the Schuylkill Mountain. A serious fire might have resulted. The Rainbow chemical truck was put into service and got the fire well under control but it was seen that to completely extinguish it would require a very great amount of chemical and as there was no nearby available water line to be used to recharge the tanks, it was thought best to procure one of the fire engines. The Liberty fire engine was sent for and a stream of water pumped from a pond in the vicinity of the fire. For more than two hours the firemen worked before it could be considered the fire was under control. The burning of rubbish in a can, which was blown over by the wind is thought to have caused the fire to spread. The need of a water line to the dump was demonstrated on this occasion as on several previous occasions. By reason of the fact that some of the material deposited on the dump must be destroyed by fire to prevent an accumulation requiring acres and acres of ground, the communication of sparks or flames can not be avoided. A fire, when once it gains any headway on this dump, as is well known to many residents, burns, and not only burns, but gives off a very offensive odor too. |
The Call of October 25, 1929 FIREMEN HAD FINE PARADE MONDAY The general public of Schuylkill Haven was given additional reason Monday evening to feel proud of the firefighting equipment and firemen which it has. It was the first time in many years that the entire department was seen on public display as it were and not in action at a fire. The occasion for this public appearance was a parade in connection with the housing of a new piece of apparatus at the Schuylkill Hose Company. The three fire companies cooperate to make th event a special and fitting one and sufficient interest had been aroused to bring out the entire town, proving beyond any doubt that parades have an unusual pulling power. The parade column consisted of the six pieces of apparatus of the three companies, all shined up and looking sturdy and efficient. Each company put into line of march a goodly number of its members, there being between forty and fifty from each company. The Bressler Band and the Legion Drum and Bugle Corps served put their inspiring music and made the parade a complete success. The principal streets of the town were covered and each and every street was lined with hundreds of people. All along the route the firemen were given a rousing hand as were also the bandsmen and Legion boys. The parade was sufficiently colorful to make it very pleasing and most effectively served its purpose of arousing interest in the public and inspiring a sense of appreciation in the town's fire department. Following the parade, the new piece of firefighting apparatus, a Seagraves pumper, was laced in the firehouse on Saint Peter Street without any additional formality or ceremony. |
The Call of November 7, 1930 AUTO CRASH CALLS OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT Monday evening at 7:30 o'clock as a result of an auto smashup near Connor's, the chemical truck of the Rainbow Hose Company was called on to extinguish the flames and saved one of the cars from being completely destroyed. The accident occurred when the machine driven by Elmer Klinger, of Freeland, going south, collided with the car driven by Harry Beck, of Cressona, who was proceeding north. Mr. Beck intended turning across the road to the junction road to Cressona. Klinger was evidently surprised by the sudden turn and hump of the road at the junction of the two roads. The necessity for turning left and the unnecessary and dangerous hump caused the car to swerve suddenly to the left and into the Beck car. Both cars were very badly damaged. Fortunately no one was injured. |
The Call of September 15, 1939 GROWTH OF THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT What was probably the first fire department for Schuylkill Haven, or the first firefighting apparatus, was ordered prepared on March 4, 1844. The reference on the minutes is as follows: "Resolved that two ladders be made, one 28 feet long and the other 20 feet long, and four fire hooks, two with ropes attached thereto; and the said ladders, hooks and ropes shall be put to some certain place in or near the central part of the borough as can be found. The same not to be exposed to the weather and shall not be used for any purpose by no person or persons unless in case of fire." Records seem to indicate that the first fore engine in Schuylkill Haven was purchased in 1864. The Town Council however, evidently had no intention of doing matters in a half proper way and instead of purchasing one fire engine to start a fire department in the borough, they purchased two fire engines, as the minutes of the council show, as given herewith: November 1864; Petition signed by a majority of the principal property holders of the borough was presented relative to the purchase of a fire engine, and that a special tax of 1 1/4 mills be laid for them. The petition was accepted and it was decided to purchase the two engines now in town, which have been exhibited by J. W. Wortz. It was also moved that 200 feet of fire hose, two inch size, be purchased. At this same meeting an order for $500 was drawn for Mr. Wortz in full payment for the said fire engines. |
The Call of November 12, 1915 STEAM GIVES FIREMEN A RUN Steam escaping from a rain spout at the top of the building or near the roof of the home of John Kauterman of Saint John Street, caused an alarm of fire to be sounded Tuesday morning. Mrs. Kauterman states on account of the water in the boiler in the kitchen becoming very hot she opened the spigot and allowed it to run away, the drain happens to be the same one that the rain water or water from the roof drains into. The hot water when it reached the drain caused a considerable amount of steam to make its escape through the water spout at the roof in the rear of the house. Some kind hearted and probably excited person, at the first glance taking for granted the house was on fire, sent in the alarm. The fire companies responded but before any of them could reach the scene, they were notified the fire was out. |
The Call of September 21, 1917 SLIGHT FIRE ON COLUMBIA STREET A slight fire occurred on Saturday forenoon last at the home of Clayton Rhoads, on Columbia Street, when some fat catching fire during the absence of the family, ignited the woodwork of the summer kitchen. Irvin Miller and another carpenter employed on the construction of the Naffin bungalow, hurried across the street and forming a bucket brigade, extinguished the flames. An effort was made to send in an alarm from the general store of Harry Schumacher and Brother, but it was impossible to get a response from the electric light plant. The damage will not exceed $100. |
The Call of May 29, 1931 BARN DESTROYED BY FIRE Tuesday morning between one and one thirty, fire was discovered in the large barn at the Halfway House just outside of Schuylkill Haven. Fire Chief Sausser was telephoned to and he directed the Liberty Company to respond. The flames, however, had such headway that little else than protect nearby buildings could be done. Some equipment and materials store din the barn were destroyed. The barn was completely burned to the ground. |
The Call of January 19, 1940 ESCAPING GAS CAUSED EXPLOSION Mrs. Joseph Deibert of Dock Street narrowly escaped injury about 8:30 o'clock, Friday morning, when escaping gas from the gas stove exploded in the kitchen. Mrs. Deibert was standing at the sink, just six feet away from the stove, when the explosion occurred. The concussion broke and knocked out the glass in the upper half of the window nearby and knocked the door leading from the kitchen to the dining room from its hinges, the door falling inward and flat upon the dining room floor. In the barber shop in the front of the premises, a heavy electric fan was knocked from its fastenings on top of a closet and dropped to the floor, just a few feet away from one of the barber chairs. No one was in the barber shop at the time. The concussion was heard by neighbors, who came to investigate. Two of the burners of the stove were in operation at the time and were being used for cooking purposes. It is believed that escaping gas from a burner in the closed portion of the gas stove, used for baking, may have ignited and exploded, as the door of this compartment was thrown open. The stove was not damaged in any particular. |
The Call of June 27, 1941 FAULTY CHIMNEY CAUSES FIRE An overheated chimney caused a slight fire at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Casey on North Berne Street on Friday morning about nine o'clock. Although four trucks appeared at the fire, only one booster tank line was used and the fire was soon extinguished. Mrs. Casey reported that she had built a fire in the stove earlier in the morning but had damped it almost an hour before the fire broke out. One of the children noticed the smoke in the room and notified the mother who put in the alarm. The fire area was restricted to a small space between the ceiling of the room and the roof directly above it. |
The Call of January 30, 1948 CENTER AVENUE FIRE IN SNOWSTORM Schuylkill Haven firemen had a hard time conquering a stubborn fire on Saturday afternoon about 2:30 o'clock, in the midst of a snowstorm, at the apartment house at 67 Center Avenue, owned by Willis Reed and occupied by the families of Clayton Witman, Charles Koegel and Claude Readinger. The fire was caused by an overheated chimney and was mostly smoldering and was mostly confined to the partitions. Openings had to be cut in the walls to get at the flames. The loss is not great. |
The Call of June 25, 1948 SLIGHT FIRE AT DONATI HOME THIS MORNING A slight fire at the home of Paul Donati on Quinn Street was extinguished quickly by the local firemen this morning shortly after nine o'clock. The fire started in the kitchen of the home when a can of gasoline used to start the fire became ignited and set fire to the kitchen floor. The can was thrown outside but the flaming gas splashed against the side of the house and it began to burn. The fire was out before much damage was done. |
The Call of March 11, 1949 STANTON STREET GARAGE DESTROYED BY FIRE A general fire alarm was sounded on Monday at 3:00 p. m., when the garage of Ernest Glaser, which is located at the rear of his yard caught fire. Mr. Glaser was burning paper and cartons in the yard when a piece of ignited paper blew into a rambler close to the garage. As the building was covered with green tar paper, it became ablaze very quickly and burned completely to the ground. Mr. Glaser was able to remove his truck from the garage before it was damaged. The heavy smoke was caused by three five gallon cans of roofing tar which were stored in the building. All local fire companies responded to the call. |
The Call of May 14, 1920 C. S. COMMINGS REELECTED AS FIRE CHIEF At a meeting of the fire trustees of the three local fire companies held last Friday evening, Samuel Commings was again elected fire chief for the borough for another term. Mr. Commings has fulfilled this position for several years and has endeavored to enforce the provisions of the state fire department regardless of the unpleasant duties and enmity caused in some cases. Through his efforts a number of fire traps in the borough have been removed and there has been a general effort made on the part of the public to exercise more care to prevent fires. During this month, the chief will make the semi annual inspection of the water plugs, order the schools to have fire drills and make a general inspection of the town. |
The Call of June 18, 1920 SLIGHT FIRE AT KAUFFMAN'S CAFE A slight fire occurred at Kauffman's Cafe Thursday afternoon. The Schuylkill Hose Company responded but the flames had been extinguished by persons called to the scene before their arrival. The origin was caused by a peculiar of circumstances. The electric lines on the pole on the opposite side of the building burned off during the electrical storm. One of them dropped on the trolley feed wire. This caused one of the wires in the cellar to drop on the gas line. The heat soon melted the gas pipe and ignited the gas. The gas ignited the flooring of the barroom. The damage was slight. |
The Call of November 19, 1920 THIEVES RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE It is believed that the fire in the smokehouse of butcher Batman last Friday morning was the direct result of robbers. Mr. Batman had fifty to sixty pounds of sausage in the smokehouse to be cured. The same was put into the house on Thursday evening. After the fire no sign or trace not even a charred semblance of a ring of sausage could be found. It is believed, therefore, that thieves made away with the sausage and that they left the door of the smokehouse open just a little bit. With the high wind of Friday morning, the smoldering fire used for smoking the meat was fanned to a blaze and set fire to the same. |
The Call of December 10, 1920 SLIGHT FIRE BRINGS OUT APPARATUS A slight fire occurred at the stable of Dr. J. A. Lessig Tuesday about 12:30. In some way or other a spark from some unknown source set fire to the shingles of the roof. The blaze was noticed almost immediately and the doctor with the sue of several buckets of water extinguished the flames. In the meantime someone sent in an alarm and the fire department responded. The loss was slight. |
The Call of September 2, 1921 LIMIT NUMBER OF MEN ON FIRE TRUCK The Liberty Hose Company has passed a rule and regulation governing the number of firemen who will be permitted to ride to a fire on the chemical truck and the fire truck. Seven men will be allowed on the chemical truck and eight men on the fire truck. The first seven and the first eight men to arrive at the fire house when an alarm is sounded will have this privilege. Belts will be procured for this number of firemen to prevent their being thrown from the apparatus. This action was taken in order to prevent overloading of the apparatus. |
The Call of January 12, 1923 SCHOOL HOUSE TOOK FIRE Monday morning about 8:45 the school house on Long Run took fire. Word was telephoned to Schuylkill Haven and the Liberty Fire Company sent its apparatus to the scene. It was found the flames were at work underneath the roof at the chimney. It was necessary to tear off a portion of the roof, a three ply affair consisting of heavy board, shingles and tin. When this was accomplished chemicals were used and the flames extinguished. The chimney being blocked with soot is ascribed as the cause of the fire. The only damage resulting was to the roof, the biggest portion of which will have to be replaced. |
The Call of December 4, 1925 SLIGHT FIRE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON A slight fire occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Boyer of Dock Street on Sunday afternoon which called out the entire fire department and caused the usual excitement. The fire was discovered to be that of a chimney fire caused by the chimney having been blocked. The sparks from the chimney set fire to the roof in several spots but the flames were readily extinguished. |
The Call of December 11, 1925 CHIMNEY FIRE CAUSES EXCITEMENT With a high wind blowing, the fire siren Wednesday evening about eight o'clock sent fear into the hearts of many persons. Luckily it was but a chimney fire at the home of Robert Paul at the southern extremity of Parkway. It was caused by soot in the chimney and was extinguished before the arrival of the fire department with little damage. |
The Call of April 8, 1927 HAM CAUSES SMOKEHOUSE TO BE BURNED Just because a good sized ham which was being smoked refused to stay put and fell from the hook into the fire used for the smoke or seasoning purposes, the smoke house of John Noecker, on Penn Street, was burned to the ground Friday afternoon last. A still alarm was sent into the Liberty Firehouse and the company responded and with the use of chemicals extinguished the flame and prevented the same from spreading to the home of Mr. Noecker which is very close to the smoke house. |
The Call of June 8, 1928 EARLY SUNDAY MORNING FIRE Fire at 2:30 a. m. Sunday morning routed the town from its slumbers and sent the fire companies to the corner of Railroad and Union Street, where the Wenrich Battery Station was found to be afire. The free use of chemicals together with two streams of water in a short time had the fire extinguished. All companies were on hand and the Liberty Company was the first to get into active service. The fire appeared to be confined to the second floor for a time and also to the cupola on top of the building. Some parts of the lower floor were later ignited. The contents of the building were damaged and the building, a brick structure, was completely gutted. It is believed the fire started at the electric switchboard. Wenrich's loss is covered by insurance. The discovery of the fire was made by Dick Schwilk who was returning home after having arrived on the "Buffalo."The owner of the building, Harry Quinter, has his loss only partly covered by insurance. In connection with the fire it might be said that fortune again smiled on this community for had there been even the slightest kind of a breeze, more serious damage would have resulted, for the brick building in which the fire raged closely adjoins a number of smaller frame buildings occupied as garages. The S. Thomas Knitting Mill is barely fifty feet from the building and the Becker planing mill is also close by. |
The Call of January 15, 1932 FIRE DESTROYED BRIQUETTE PLANT On Friday night the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company's experimental briquette plant near Landingville was totally destroyed by fire. The blaze was discovered about eight o'clock by a watchman. The building contained the ovens and other equipment for the manufacture of briquettes, and was burned to the ground. Through the efforts of the firefighters, the fire was kept from spreading to other buildings nearby. The Liberty Fire Company of town responded top the alarm and they helped the employees and residents of that section in fighting the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown. |
The Call of May 6, 1932 FIRE ON DUMP CALLED OUT FIRE DEPARTMENT The latter part of last week, the burning of rubbish on the public dump in Schuylkill Haven required the services of the local fire department. The Schuylkill Company responded and played a stream of chemicals on the fire on several different days. The stench arising during the night, when portions of this dump are on fire, is rather nauseating and can be detected in many different parts of the town. Fire Chief Claude Sausser received a number of painful burns on the hands while directing a stream on the fire, when gas formation from the from the combination of materials burning, caused an explosion. Rubbish and hot ashes and embers were sent sky high. |
The Call of October 28, 1932 FALSE FIRE ALARM SUNDAY EVENING Sunday evening, shortly after ten o'clock, firemen were summoned to the corner of William and Saint John Streets. All the companies were out, only to learn that the fire alarm was false. The alarm registered from having been sent in from the particular alarm box at that point. Fire Chief Sausser stated that examination of the box showed that the alarm had been sent in from that box. Investigation, however, failed to be very helpful, but police did learn that a bus driver had noticed two men walking on this street just about the time the fire alarm sounded. These two men also reported that they heard the alarm when passing near that particular point but that they did not see anyone else in the neighborhood. Had the party who sent in the false alarm been known when firemen found they were fooled, he would most likely been handled pretty roughly. |
The Call of March 24, 1933 TWO SLIGHT FIRES IN LOCAL MILL Two slight fires last week at the J. F. Bast Knitting Mill of Schuylkill Haven were quite sufficient to provide more than enough excitement and annoyance for members of this firm. Fortunately a sprinkling system in the mill extinguished one of the fires, and a timely discovery of the second one prevented what would have been a serious fire. Aside from the excitement incident to the fires and the loss sustained, is the uncertainty as to the cause of the same. This latter fact has the firm somewhat puzzled. The first one of the fires was discovered last Tuesday morning about 8:30 o'clock when water began to drop from the ceiling. Employees noting the same reported to the office and an investigation was begun. It was first thought that a water pipe had burst in a room used for the storing of goods. This room is kept locked. However, when the door was unlocked, a rush of water greeted the men. Smoke also poured from the room. The sprinkler system was still pouring water down upon the area affected. This was first shut off and windows, facing on the Schuylkill River, but fifty or more feet above its level, were opened. The fire had been completely extinguished, but large quantities of silk on large rolls, silk yarns, silk threads, tapes, etc., had been soaked with water. A conservative estimate of the damage was given as $6,000. Tuesday morning when Mr. Bast arrived at the mill, the night watchman reported having had quite a scare early in the morning, making the remark that during the heavy electrical storm of Tuesday morning, the mill seemed to be surrounded by a ball of fire. This preceded a heavy crash of thunder. Only one electric light socket, suspended from the ceiling was in the storage room. The lamp had not been kept in the light socket. Examination showed the fire started at a point underneath the electric light socket. Thursday morning's discovery of a fire between the weatherboards of the frame section of the mill was even more fortunate. Mr. William Schweigert, in going to a certain part of the basement, noticed the smoke. Other men called could not at first discover the cause. For some time they continued their investigation without result and then one noticed flames licking their way up between a partition. Fire extinguishers were used freely with good result. Had the fire not been discovered and the flames gained headway in the frame partition, a more serious fire would have resulted. No explanation of the cause of the second slight fire can be figured out by the members of the firm. |
The Call of May 5, 1933 FIRE TRUCKS COLLIDED SUNDAY During the response to the false fire alarm, Sunday afternoon, damage estimated at $150 was done to the pumper of the Liberty Hose Company by having ladders from the chemical truck of the Rainbow Company pushed through the radiator of the truck. One of the long ladders of the Rainbow Company was smashed to bits. The accident occurred at the corner of Berne Street and Orchard Avenue. The trucks are reported to have been following one another on the return trip to the firehouse. The Rainbow truck was stopped suddenly and the Liberty struck crashed into one of the ladders that overhang the rear end. |
The Call of March 21, 1919 FIRE SCARE TUESDAY EVENING The lengthy blowing of the fire alarm whistle Tuesday evening about eight o'clock sent the fire companies and the general public scurrying in the direction of the fire, fearing that a big one was raging. Fortunately, the fire was extinguished before the arrival of the fire apparatus. The fire was discovered by a Zweizig family on William Street. It was at the ventilator over the boiler house at the Union Knitting Mills. The flames were extinguished by the night men, Messrs. W. Hummel and George Kramer, by the use of the hose and water. Little damage was done. A similar incipient blaze was discovered at this same mill at the same place several weeks ago, just in time to prevent a serious conflagration. The Schuylkill Hose Company was first on the scene, the Liberty Company second and the Rainbow Company reached the corner of Main and Dock when they were told the fire was out. The Liberty Company assisted the Rainbow Company to haul their apparatus back to the firehouse. |
The Call of March 21, 1919 RAZING FIRE TRAPS A number of fire traps in the Spring Garden section of town have and are being torn down this week. The largest of these buildings being the Shannon barn on Center Avenue. The building is an old landmark and was erected many years ago. The building on the Fitzpatrick lot on Haven Street, which for years was occupied as a tin smith shop and then later used for a number of different purposes is also being torn down. Vacant stables at the rear of the Burghart property at the rear of Dock Street are also being razed. It is understood a number of other vacant buildings, stables and sheds about town that have been investigated by officers of the State Fire Department and found to be nothing more than fire traps have been ordered torn down and unless the orders of the department are complied with within a specific period, action at law may be begun with the State Fire Marshal as the prosecutor. One particularly dangerous fire trap known to have been reported is the old lumber sheds on Columbia Street. |
The Call of June 25, 1926 FIRE SCARE SUNDAY EVENING The fire alarm on Sunday evening shortly before seven o'clock brought the public and the fire department to Spring Garden where it was reported a stable at the rear of the Cottler property on Dock Street was on fire. Investigation revealed a large bale of straw had been set on fire. The flames were extinguished by the use of a garden hose. The bale of straw was in a frame stable and adjoining it and also in close proximity were other frame buildings. Had the fire gained any headway whatever, quite a serious fire might have resulted. It is believed the fire came about by boys smoking in the stable or someone having thrown a cigarette butt near the straw. |
The Call of October 29, 1926 SLIGHT FIRE SATURDAY AFTERNOON Saturday afternoon between three and three thirty o'clock the fire department was summoned to Margaretta Street. Before the firemen arrived, however, neighbors had extinguished the fire which was confined to the floor boards on the second floor. The fire was in the home of Mrs. Isaac Fahl. The kitchen range is believed to have caused the fire. There was little damage done by the fire itself or smoke. Water from a garden hose from the home of George Riebsamen next door, was used to extinguish the fire. Quite a crowd gathered in a comparatively short time. |
The Call of January 21, 1927 FIRE SCARE SATURDAY EVENING The fire sirens Saturday evening in the height of the blizzard which raged here, sent individuals and the fire department scurrying to the Oswald property on East Main Street, opposite the Haven Street entrance. Luckily the blaze had been a small one and had been extinguished before any headway was gained. The services of the firemen were not needed, although some chemical was used from one of the trucks. The loss was slight. Many of the firemen however suffered in the comparatively short time they were exposed, frosted or nipped ears and fingers. One line of hose had been attached to a fire plug on East Main Street and again luck was with the department for the plug was not frozen. The firemen used good judgement for one of the units sensing the danger had made its way to Union Street and would have used hose lines at the rear of the property. The fire was caused by the explosion of an oil stove in an unoccupied rear portion of the building. The stove was being operated to prevent water pipes from freezing. Lewis Heffner, who occupies the front part of the building, discovered the blaze and with the assistance of neighbors had the blaze about extinguished when the firemen arrived. Their efforts, however, were handicapped from the fact that the water pipes in the Heffner home had also been frozen. This meant neighbors had to hand the same over the back fence. Upon the arrival of firemen, several cooler heads then prevented what might have turned out even at that stage, to be a serious fire, by refusing to permit them to break down the door. |
The Call of April 13, 1928 BRUSH FIRE THREATENS HOME Friday afternoon, a home on East Main Street, near the borough limits was threatened with fire when paper from a bonfire blew into the high grass and set it on fire. The flames came very close to the property. An alarm of fire was sent in and chemicals were used by the Liberty Company to extinguish the flames. All companies were on hand. |
The Call of April 13, 1928 STILL ALARM OF FIRE SATURDAY EVENING On Saturday evening shortly before the downpour of rain, a still alarm of fire was sent in and the Schuylkill Hose Company responded and the firemen were called on to keep an eye on and extinguish a field burning the high grass near Hess Street. For a time it looked as if it might communicate with nearby houses. The firemen completely extinguished the fire. |
The Call of April 13, 1928 SMOKING AUTO BRINGS OUT FIREMEN A smoking automobile of Albert Hoopes of Edgewood caused an alarm of fire to be sent in Monday evening. Firemen found the garage filled with smoke and the cause to be the automobile. The car was pushed outside and the smoldering flames extinguished with several tanks of chemicals by the Liberty Hose Company. It is believed a short circuit caused the trouble. All the fire companies responded. It was first thought that the fire was at the Union Knitting Mills as the garage, being near the plant, the smoke hung above the plant and for a time there was considerable excitement. |
The Call of November 9,1928 BECKER FAMILY ALMOST SUFFOCATED Members of the Lewis Becker family of east Liberty Street were awakened early Tuesday morning by annoying smoke and fumes and found the home filled with both. After fighting their way to the front room, they noticed one of the overstuffed chairs on fire. The piece of furniture was picked up and taken from the house. It is believed a spark from a cigarette fell upon the chair during the evening and smoldered during the night. |
The Call of July 12, 1918 FIREWORKS START SMALL BLAZE The sparks from a roman candle started an incipient blaze at the home of R. J. Hoffman on Prospect Hill. The sparks landed on a piece of carpet on the rear porch, burning a hole in the same and scorching a washing machine. The fire was discovered by Mrs. Hoffman, who unassisted, heroically procured a bucket of water and extinguished the flames. |
The Call of October 25, 1918 FIRE SCARE SATURDAY EVENING An alarm of fire on Saturday evening about seven o'clock, brought all the fire companies out and sent them scurrying to the Insane Hospital, where it was stated there was fire. Arriving upon the scene they found the fire had been extinguished and that it had not been at the hospital proper but near the "piggery" on the grounds. A nearby farmer had made a bonfire near to the pig stable. The flames leaping high in the air attracted the attention of the authorities who felt it best to take no chances on account of the small number of attendants in the institution and an alarm was sent in. |
The Call of November 1, 1918 FIRE PREVENTION DAY TOMORROW Tomorrow, Saturday, November 2, is Fire Prevention day and its observance, while not taking on the form of public exercises or demonstrations, is to be observed by the public, but by the public individually in so far as each and every housewife, homeowner, storekeeper, and businessman, is appealed to "clean up" and remove from his premises, both inside and outside, all material that can in any way contribute to or cause a fire. There should be little need for Mr. Commings, the local Fire Marshall, to urge the people of this town to remove from their premises everything that will prevent fire. Everyone here knows the terrible handicap local firemen would be under in case of fire at this time, or in case of fire during the winter months. That this town has not suffered heavily from fire loss is, it is believed, due entirely to the general care which is exercised by the public. The Fire Prevention Day is simply a day set aside for observance all over the state and a day upon which everyone is asked to remove rubbish, trash, and waste from the premises. These three words include every possible thing for which there is no use. Therefore, without any prescribed program, it is up to each individual citizen to contribute to the protection of the town by removing all dangerous fire conditions from its confines. |
The Call of November 27, 1918 SLIGHT FIRE MONDAY EVENING An alarm of fire Monday evening at eleven o'clock brought the three fire companies and many residents to Union Street where a chimney fire at the home of Albert Anderson was discovered. The family was away at the time and neighbors noticing thick columns of smoke and sparks leaping from the chimney, thought best to have the fire companies give attention to the matter. Large quantities of salt and chemicals from the Liberty combination were mnecessary to extinguish the blaze. |
The Call of July 4, 1919 FIRE DESTROYED SKATING RINK The Schuylkill Haven Roller Rink and Maberry Brothers blacksmith shop on West Main Street were completely destroyed by fire Monday morning and with the contents entailed a loss of practically $21,000 with insurance amounting to about $3,700. The heaviest loser is Mr. Paul Naffin, owner of the rink, who places his loss at $8,500 for the rink building and the stock. On this amount he carried $3,000 insurance. In addition to this loss he estimates an additional amount of $3,500 in tools and machinery, on a recently purchased concrete brick making machine, 300 pairs of roller skates and an $890 orchestra band organ and also a large quantity of lumber. The total loss is $11,500. There was stored in the first floor of the rink six autos, only one of which was removed before the flames reached them, namely the Koch brothers Buick car. Autos destroyed were the George Schaefer Overland, C. Koch's Ford, Anthony Sarvis' Ford and a truck, and also a Dart car recently repaired by C. Losch and placed in storage to await the arrival of the owner. Estimated loss on autos is $1,500. The vulcanizing plant of Anthony Sarvis together with the stock, including a recently purchased order of $500 worth of tires, together with some furniture, was also destroyed. He carried no insurance and estimates his loss at fully $3,000. Frank Deisher lost $1,200 worth of engines, boilers and pumps stored in the rink. Insurance in the amount of $700 was carried on this stock. One half carload of cement stored by contractor John Renninger but several days ago was destroyed. Estimated loss is $250. Furniture of Mrs. S. S. Reber and a large quantity belonging to Gustav Naffin, all stored in the rink building was destroyed. The loss is $500. The Marry brothers blacksmith shop together with its contents was completely destroyed. Estimated loss is $2,500. The Naffin bungalow adjoining the rink was only saved by the hardest kind of work on th part of the firemen. Damage, however, was sustained from water. The Reider shoe factory across the street was somewhat damaged by the terrific heat and the contents damaged by water. That the three Naffin homes on the west side of the rink, and the I. W. Becker home and garage, and Robert Moyer double frame dwelling and the Reider shoe factory were not burning, was on fire several times and was extinguished by a stream of water. Several large trees in front of the shoe factory and Lewis Moyer homes contributed largely to saving these properties. Fire brands were carried far and wide and a number of homes on Canal Street were on fire several times but the flames were outened by bucket brigades. ORIGIN OF FIRE The fire is said to have started in the vulcanizing shop of Anthony Sarvis, who stated to The Call man that he had been busy vulcanizing an inner tube and had poured a little gasoline on the machinery used in the work and lighted it. He left the shop for several minutes and upon his return the same was ablaze and he could not get near it. Sarvis with his family moved to town several months ago. He stated he is practically bankrupt. On account of the building being of frame construction, the flames quickly gained headway and the entire building and contents were destroyed in a short time. The blacksmith shop adjoining, also a frame building, took fire early and was soon destroyed. Although several streams of water were played on the flames, also several chemical streams, it was early seen that these two buildings were doomed. Attention was given to saving the Naffin houses and it was only with very hard work this was accomplished. The heat of the flames was terrific and the firemen were able to hold their positions only through superhuman efforts. DELAYS IN GIVING ALARM Delay and a misunderstanding in sending in the fire alarm is said to have allowed the flames to gain an extra amount of headway. The discovery too was not made until the entire Sarvis shop was in flames. H. A. Reber, who sent in an alarm to the Bell Telephone exchange, states he notified the operator to call the light plant and inform them there was a fire at the rink and that it would be a big one, also to notify the Schuylkill Hose Company, near the exchange, of the fire. He then left the Meck and Company mill, went to the garage nearby, got out his auto and autoed to Spring Garden to notify the Rainbow Hose Company. When he reached the Rainbow hose house the first alarm signal was blown. Practically no information could be secured from the local exchange as to who sent in the alarm. The manager of the telephone company states the employees of the plant misunderstood the notice to the effect that there was a wire down at the Reider shoe factory, instead of a fire at the shoe factory. This the employees of the plant emphatically deny but state this message was sent out after the fire alarm had been given. Nevertheless there was unusual and unnecessary delay according to the residents in the vicinity of the fire before the alarm was given. It is known, however, that quite a number of persons sent in an alarm to the exchange which may have caused some of the confusion. TRAIN BLOCKS CROSSING The Schuylkill Hose Company was delayed somewhat at the Main Street railroad crossing by the milk and express train. It is said the engineer and conductor were notified to break their train before ever the firemen put in an appearance. This they refused to do. Various estimates of the time the firemen were delayed are given. Some say it was two minutes and others five minutes. The Liberty Fire Company was the first to have a stream on the flames, having connected with the plug at Dohner's. Damage to nearby homes was minimal due to their having been little or no wind at the time. The roofs of all these buildings were several times on fire and the sides and front scorched but with the assistance of bucket brigades, carrying the water from the Schuylkill River, and streams of chemicals, the incipient blazes were extinguished. Upon the arrival of the Schuylkill truck, they passed the plug at Dohner's which had not then been taken and went to the plug at Filbert's on Canal Street. This plug was in such a bad condition that only one side could be opened. Fully fifteen minutes were consumed in trying to get the other side opened in order to secure double suction. Finally the suction hose was changed and hardly had the pumping began when a section of the line burst. Altogether, this company lost six sections of hose, three being burned and three burst, and all of it was supposed to be in good condition. With all these delays the fire gained much headway. The fire was marked by an unusual amount of confusion on the part of the firemen. There did not seem to be anyone to issue orders, both the Fire Chief and the Assistant Chief being at work in Pottsville. Each fire company followed its own plan of fighting the fire with the result that much effort was lost. The Good Will Hose Company of Cressona responded to the call for assistance and quickly had a stream of chemicals on the nearby buildings. The Good Intent and the American Hose of Pottsville were in town but only came as far as the railroad, as the buildings had all been destroyed. The Liberty Fire Company played two streams on the fire for a long period. One stream was then cut off and the other played on the burning debris until 12:15 p. m. The Liberty Company kept its paraphernalia and hose lines on the ground for some time thereafter to be ready for an emergency. The Schuylkill Hose Company could not secure much water pressure and after a time went to the Schuylkill River bridge intending to pump from that point. The distance was too great and the hose line did not reach to within 200 feet of the fire. There appeared to be no more hose available and after testing out the engine as to whether it would lift water at that point, discontinued their efforts. While at the Schuylkill River bridge, an autoist happened by and although he was signalled to stop, kept on. He struck and drug fireman Ray Reed for quite a distance and narrowly escaped getting pummeled at the hands of the firemen. Raymond Ney had a narrow escape from being hit with a large brick chimney. His escape was said to have been remarkable and only his close proximity to the base of the chimney saved him. The chimney fell without any warning and although the bricks dropped all around him, none struck him. The Naffin houses were occupied by Paul Naffin, William Quinter and Ira Hirst. All of the furniture was removed by bystanders. Mrs. Hirst, who but several days ago gave birth to a baby girl, was removed to a neighboring house shortly after the fire started. Mrs. Lewis Moyer, who had been bedfast for a number of weeks, occupied the front room almost directly across the street from the fire. She too had to be removed from her room but here removal from her home was not permitted on account of her condition. Mr. Naffin recently took complete inventory of his rink and stock and thereby was able to give a correct estimate of his loss. It is hardly likely that the rink will be rebuilt. Mr. Naffin may later on erect dwelling houses on the site. It was the largest frame building of its kind in this section of the state and was erected about eleven years ago. |
The Call of April 4, 1919 FIRE CHIEF ORDERS CHIMNEYS CLEANED As there have been a number of cases of small fires due to defective chimneys in a number of towns, Chief Commings this week got busy on the proposition in Schuylkill Haven. Notices were issued to seven different persons to have chimneys on their homes cleaned out within twenty four hours. The chief states it is up to the public to assist the department in keeping down the fire record by using such means and measures to prevent fires. Blocked chimneys are often the cause of disastrous fires and it is therefore important that every resident see that the chimneys are clean and kept clean. |
The Call of April 4, 1919 FIRE ALARM CAUSES EXCITEMENT The blowing of the fire alarm Friday evening shortly after eight o'clock sent fear into every resident of the town who heard it as everyone realized that a fire, fanned by the stiff wind then blowing, would surely result disastrously. The three fire companies responded to the alarm with unusual promptness. Fortunately the alarm proved false. Some persons noticing sparks coming from the chimney on the home of George Burns of Main Street ran to the plant and gave the alarm. A sigh of relief was breathed by everyone when it was learned that the alarm of fire was false. |
The Call of December 12, 1919 NEED $2,000 FOR NEW FIRE TRUCK The Rainbow Hose Company Fair Committee has selected the dates for their fair and bazaar as Wednesday, January 7th to Saturday, January 17th, both dates inclusive. The same will be held in the fire house on Dock Street. The committee is busy planning its preliminary work with a view to making the affair not only an enjoyable and entertaining one for persons attending but also with a view to realizing a goodly sum of money. The reason for the Rainbow Hose Company coming before the public for aid is to secure funds for the further improvement of its fire equipment and apparatus. This cannot be considered as a private or individual benefit. Fire companies must be and are considered necessary adjuncts to a city, town or borough. So long as these institutions are volunteer organizations, they must depend on the public for their all and every support. It is the purpose of the Rainbow Hose Company to replace its present large, heavy and unhandy fire ladder and chemical truck with a modern auto fire truck. The new truck will accommodate the fire ladders, fire hose and will have pumping apparatus. It was first thought no provision would be made for the accommodation of the large ladders but as this company is the only one in town [possessing ladders, it was thought advisable to retain the same. The chemical tanks on the present truck it is proposed to place upon a smaller chassis. In this event the town will have one of the most necessary pieces of apparatus, namely chemical apparatus mounted on an auto truck. This will enable the response to be much quicker and will by reason of chemical equipment being on the scene first, oft times prevent conflagrations of a more serious nature. The contemplated additions and improvements will cost in the neighborhood of $9,000. The company has on hand $2,330. The goal set for profits at the fair is no less than $2,000. This then will provide just about one half the amount of money necessary to make the purchase of the new equipment. A number of solicitors from members of the company have been appointed and will make a complete canvass of the entire town. They will visit every home and ask for a contribution of either money or some article that can be disposed of at the fair and on which a sum of money can be realized. No foodstuffs or perishable times are desired, as it is not likely refreshments will be provided at the fair. |
The Call of December 2, 1927 SLIGHT FIRE TUESDAY MORNING A slight fire occurred Tuesday morning shortly after nine o'clock in the store of Mrs. S. L. Pflueger. The discovery was made before the flames had gained much headway and therefore it was extinguished by several buckets of water. The fire was in the northwest corner of the store where the magazines and books are kept. A hundred or more books were damaged by the flames as were also a number of magazines. Mr. George Pflueger, who had been tending store in the morning, had gone out just a minute before the fire was discovered and when he had left the store, there was not a sign of smoke or fire. The fire department was not called. |
The Call of July 7, 1933 RADIO CAUSES EARLY MORNING FIRE The alarm of fire at 4:50 Friday morning sent the three fire companies to Parkway, where a radio in the home of Robert Kantner had become hot and scorched the wall and nearby pieces of furniture and might have caused quite a conflagration had it not been discovered. Smoke, being smelled by Miss Kantner, a niece of Mrs. Kantner, caused the discovery of the fire. The radio it was said, had not been used for several days. It was a complete wreck and was quickly picked up by the neighbors and carried in to the back yard. The wall and ceiling, and part of the carpet and floor in one corner of the dining room, where the radio stood, were burned. |
The Call of February 16, 1934 SLIGHT FIRE MONDAY MORNING A slight fire occurred Sunday morning about ten o'clock at the Schuylkill Provision Company on Margaretta Street. Fortunately it was discovered by the proprietor, W. V. Young, and one of his employees in good time. The flames were extinguished by fire extinguishers that were in the building. A fire at this same plant on Tuesday evening, January 30th, was caused by an overheated chimney or furnace flue. The fire on Sunday morning was due to a similar cause although the chimney and flues had been rebuilt following the first fire. Mr. Young and Mr. Raudenbush, who were in the building on Sunday morning smelled smoke and upon investigation discovered the fire. |
The Call of April 27, 1934 LIGHTNING DESTROYED LARGE BARN NEAR TOWN Lightning, Tuesday afternoon, caused the first barn fire for the year in this locality and completely destroyed a large bank barn, crops and machinery in North Manheim Township, a short distance south of Schuylkill Haven. Just as Dory Moyer, who had been employed for the day on the state highway between Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg, came to the edge of a field after walking home, and in sight of his farm, a zig zag bolt of lightning shot from the sky and seemed to strike all the barn's corners at one time. There was a terrific crash and in a moment flames were leaping from underneath the roof of the structure. Farmers in the vicinity were prompt to respond to the alarm. Two companies from Schuylkill Haven, the Rainbow Hose Company and the Liberty Hose Company, sent their apparatus to the scene, about a half mile below the town and along the newly improved back road to Adamsdale at a point near the pond at the old water trough. Hose lines were run to the water in the pond but the flames had made such progress that nothing of the frame structure could be saved. A nearby smaller building was also partially destroyed. The barn was of a bank style and 60 by 36 feet in size. Within ten to twenty minutes, it had been completely burned to the ground together with five tons of straw, four tons of hay, one ton of corn fodder, thirty bushels of rye, thirty bushels of wheat, forty bushels of oats, a thresher, corn shredder, corn sheller, a light truck wagon, a dump cart, several double sets of harness and a hundred dollars worth of carpenter tools. Firemen and neighbors worked fast and succeeded in saving all the livestock consisting of three horses, a mule, nine cows, a heifer, a bull, a calf, seven pigs and some chickens. The fire occurred about 4:30 o'clock during a downpour of rain and following a rain that lasted more than a half hour. Despite the fact that everything on the outside was very wet, and the building equipped with lightning rods, the barn and its contents burned like tinder. Mr. Moyer is one of the well known farmers of this locality, having farmed for the past eight years. Mr. Moyer estimates his loss at several thousands of dollars, with only partial insurance. Wednesday men were put to work removing the burned embers and the debris, as Mr. Moyer intends rebuilding immediately. He wishes to take this means in expressing his thanks to the firemen and the neighbors who gave such prompt and splendid service in saving the livestock and preventing the flames from spreading to other buildings. Fortunately, the Moyer home, across the highway, was of sufficient distance beyond the fore to escape all damage. Standing on the site of the destroyed barn, Wednesday afternoon, with a wind blowing that had the chill of February blasts in it, one marveled that evidently the season of barn fires as the result of summer electrical storms, was at hand. |
The Call of September 7, 1934 MIGHT HAVE BEEN BIG FIRE HERE SUNDAY MORNING What might have turned out to be a serious fire, Sunday morning about nine o'clock, was avoided by the prompt action of individuals and the quick response of the fire department. The fire was at the gas filling station of Lewis Dress on Dock Street. It started from friction while gas was being put into the gas tanks from a large gas wagon. The operator, however, exercised good judgement in quickly turning off the valve and shutting off the supply of gas from the truck to the tanks. The flames seemed to be shooting in all directions. Fortunately, for some unexplained reason, the gas in the tank did not take fire or explode. In the truck, it is said, were over a thousand gallons of gas. Had this ignited, considerable damage would have been done to property and many of the machines parked on both sides of the street in the vicinity of Christ Lutheran Church. Use of chemicals from the Rainbow Hose Company served to extinguish the blaze. The entire department of the borough responded but the services of the Rainbow Hose Company only, were needed. |
The Call of September 14, 1934 FIRE ALARM EARLY ON SUNDAY MORNING Schuylkill Haven folks were roused form their slumber, Sunday morning at 1:15, by the blowing of the fire alarm siren. Firemen of the three companies responded to the alarm. On arrival at the corner of Fairview and Main Streets, they found no fire, their services in no way required. An alarm of fire had been sent in because the automobile of Jim Fritz, the battery man, had caught afire while he was working on it. Tall grass was sufficient to smother it. It was the second time, Mr. Fritz stated, that his machine had caught fire. He first time he extinguished it in a like manner before anyone saw the flames and had the time to send in an alarm. The machine was little damaged by the two fires. A truck of the Schuylkill Hose Company and one of the Liberty Company narrowly escaped a collision at the corner of Main and Saint John Streets. Had it not been for the watchfulness and quick action of Officer Bubeck, who was on Main Street, the crash would surely have occurred. The public was somewhat confused as to the location of the fire, the ward signal whistle at the electric light plant having been blown to indicate location of the fire in the North Ward and the fire was in the East Ward. |
The Call of January 3, 1936 SLIGHT FIRE LOSS ON FRIDAY EVENING Slight fire damage resulted on Friday evening of last week when an overheated stove in the garage of William Luckenbill on Railroad Street, set fire to the woodwork. Quick response of the fire department resulted in the flames being extinguished. The fire occurred about ten o'clock and was discovered by Mr. Luckenbill as he was entering his residence on Parkway, but from which point he had a clear and unobstructed view. The garage is located close to the unoccupied large fame building, until recently use by Mr. Evan Thomas as a knitting mill. |
The Call of February 7, 1936 FIRE TRUCK CHEMICAL TANK BURST Several firemen of the Schuylkill Haven fire department narrowly escaped injury when one of the chemical tanks on the truck of the Rainbow Hose Company blew up. It was while the company was giving service at a still alarm sent in to extinguish flames on a tree near Naffin Avenue during the evening. The tank that exploded was one of the sixty gallon tanks containing chemicals which was being filled with compressed air in order to put it into service. Without warning the side of it blew out, hurling the pieces and chemical fluid in all directions. The force also tore one of the other tanks from its fastenings, tore off the hose reel and other minor damage was done to the truck. The cost of replacing the tank with a new one and making repairs will be several hundred dollars. It is believed the cause of the explosion was that of permitting the air from the compressed air tank to pass into the chemical tank too rapidly. On account of the darkness, the operator was unable to see the figures on the pressure gauge with the above result. |
The Call of February 14, 1936 PROMPT DISCOVERY OF FIRE SAVES HOME Timely discovery of fire, Tuesday morning, at about ten o'clock, in the second story of the home of Joseph McKeone of Caldwell Street, Schuylkill Haven, sent almost the entire fire department to the scene. Chemicals were used with telling effect and in a few minutes time the fire was extinguished. An overheated chimney sent fire to the adjoining woodwork in a room on the second floor. Members of the family smelled the smoke and made the discovery. The upper part of the house was filled with smoke and clothing was somewhat damaged. It was necessary to tear away a part of the partition to successfully fight the smoldering fire. Had the fire not been discovered in time, the high wind blowing at a stiff gale rate at the time, would have made it difficult to fight the fire, and, with other frame buildings in close proximity, might have resulted in a very disastrous fire. |
The Call of June 5, 1936 BRUSH FIRE CALLS OUT FIREMEN A brush fire in the Almshouse field near the end of Paxson Avenue, called out the entire fire department at midnight on Tuesday. The fire was evidently the result of boys or adults who set fire to several piles of rubbish and then left the scene. The flames shot high in the air and attracted the attention of persons in the neighborhood. The fire was several hundred feet from nearby property, but looked threatening, and by reason of the high grass being very dry, might have communicated to buildings. Chemicals were used and the flames were extinguished. The fire alarm was sent in from the box at the corner of Grant and Main Streets. The fire trucks responding drove to this point. They were followed by many autos and when the trucks turned around to Paxson Avenue, they found their way blocked. Some delay followed until the traffic jam was untangled. Had the fire been of a more serious nature, considerable valuable time would have been lost until the fire department could have reached the scene by reason of the many machines that followed the fire trucks east on Main Street. |
The Call of August 14, 1936 FIRE COMPANY PUTS OUT SUNDAY EVENING AUTO BLAZE Sunday evening, the Liberty Fire Company sent one of its trucks to the Schuylkill Haven-Orwigsburg highway, where, at a point just opposite the Almshouse, an automobile was blazing fiercely. Effective work was done by the fire extinguishers carried on the truck, but not until after the automobile had been very badly damaged. The machine was owned and driven by Ray LeVan of Philadelphia, who was accompanied by his wife and another couple from Philadelphia. Defective wiring caused a short circuit and the rear of the car burst into flames. The occupants escaped without injury. The flames leaped high in the air and attracted attention from a considerable distance. The usual heavy traffic on this highway, Sunday evening, was stalled completely in both directions and was considerably congested until state patrolmen were enabled to reroute some of the traffic in and through Schuylkill Haven. As soon as the flames were well under control, traffic was directed over the highway again. |
The Call of August 14, 1936 FIRE COMPANY TO HAVE FIRE TRUCK RECONDITIONED The fire apparatus of the Rainbow Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven is to be modernized and put in first class condition. This will be good news to the general public. Action to this effect was taken last Friday evening, at an adjournment meeting of the company, after the subject had been under consideration for months and after a lengthy discussion was held on the matter at the evening. While both pieces of motorized apparatus of this company, from a casual viewpoint of the general public, are in satisfactory condition, it is known only to well to the firemen that the apparatus is no longer dependable and that service in the event of fire would be uncertain. Both pieces of apparatus, the pumper and the combination ladder and chemical truck have been in use for seventeen to eighteen years. The latter piece of apparatus is no longer in service as a chemical truck as the tanks which burst during fighting of a fire last February, have not been replaced on it, and it is reported cannot be replaced and be depended on to withstand any great amount of pressure. A special committee has been appointed to procure bids on the putting of the both pieces of apparatus in first class condition. The vote on the question of reconditioning the apparatus or the purchase of two new pieces of apparatus was very close. There were fourteen votes for reconditioning and twelve votes for the purchase of two new trucks. |
The Call of September 4, 1936 EXPECT REPORT ON NEW FIRE APPARATUS At a meeting of the Rainbow Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven, which will be held this evening, Friday, the special committee appointed some time ago to investigate the costs of reconditioning the two pieces of fire apparatus of the company, will be received. It is understood there will be hardly more than one estimate to be presented by the committee. This for the reason that most concerns are desirous of selling new fire apparatus instead of being in a position to recondition apparatus. The company, several weeks ago, voted by a small majority, to have the apparatus reconditioned rather than to purchase new equipment. |
The Call of September 4, 1936 FIRE ALARM EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING Wednesday morning at five o'clock, the fire siren alarm tumbled the community from bed and sent the fire department to the end of Garfield Avenue. Fire had been discovered underneath the partition of the skating rink and near the ice house at Willow Lake. Persons who discovered the fire immediately tore away the partition and prevented what might have been a more serious fire. When the fire companies arrived, there was nothing for them to do but turn around and return to town. It is believed the fire was caused by a cigarette that may have been thrown or fallen between the partitions of the two buildings. |
The Call of September 11, 1936 FIRE TRUCKS NOW BEING RECONDITIONED The two fire trucks of the Rainbow Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven are now in the plant of Hahn at Hamburg and are being completely torn down. They will be reconditioned and rebuilt in almost every particular. During the absence of these two trucks, the company will not be entirely out of service. A small pumper with short ladders and other equipment has been supplied by the Hahn firm until the trucks of the company are completed and accepted and put into service. It may require two or three months time before the both trucks are in service again. The approximate cost for the reconditioning of the two trucks, which was very necessary, will be in the neighborhood of $6600. The company has the sum of $2100 to apply against this obligation. |
The Call of September 11, 1936 FIRE DESTROYS BARN AND TWO HEIFERS Fire burned to death two heifers late Wednesday afternoon, when the large barn of John Deitz, in the Deibert's Valley, was destroyed. In addition, about thirty tons of hay were burned as well as a large quantity of grain and farm implements. Farmer Deitz is well known in Schuylkill Haven and his many friends sympathize with him in his loss. Quite a number of people of Schuylkill Haven have motored to the scene of the fire. Mr. Deitz, with his employees, were about finished placing feed in the silos when Mr. Deitz discovered smoke coming from the barn. This was about 4:30 o'clock. In an instant, one section of the barn was almost like a roaring furnace. The men worked hard and fast and rescued a number of horses and cows. The alarm was sent to Schuylkill Haven and the two trucks of the Liberty Hose Company were sent to the fire. Insufficient length of hose made it impossible to reach the nearby creek. The fire truck of the Schuylkill Hose Company was sent with an extra supply of hose. The hose line then extended to the creek, but because of a small amount of water, not much effect could be produced. The firemen did, however, save the nearby and adjoining buildings from destruction, with the use of the one line of water and chemicals. Neighbors and farmers who responded from miles around, worked with buckets, etc., and aided materially in saving the home and buildings from the fire. The origin of the fire has been definitely determined. It is understood the fire was discovered while Mr. Deitz was walking through the barn. Several days prior to the fire, hay had been put away in large quantities. It is believed the gas formed by internal combustion was at white hot heat and from the suction of air made by Mr. Deitz walking near the hay, caused the explosion. It is understood Mr. Deitz had to rush from the barn with the flames shooting after him. |
The Call of December 4, 1936 FIRE TRUCK TEST SATISFACTORY The recently received reconditioned fire truck of the Rainbow Hose Company was given its official test on Saturday afternoon at Stoyer's dam. The specifications required that the truck would pump at least five hundred gallons per minute. Without any forcing, the gauge registered 550 gallons of water from one stream per minute. The stamp of approval on the apparatus was, therefore given, so far as the mechanism was concerned. By reason of the low temperature, no extended test was made. The apparatus, however, was driven back to the motor works to have a slight defect in the one fender remedied. The second piece of apparatus of the Rainbow Hose Company, called the hook and ladder truck, will be along most any day. The truck is entirely completed except for the placing of a small unit in the engine. This has been ordered. As soon as it is received, it will be placed in position, a piece of work that will not require more than an hour work. The truck will then be driven to Schuylkill Haven and housed along side the other new, bright and glistening piece of apparatus. |
The Call of February 26, 1937 FIRE COMPANY NOW HAS LADIES AUXILIARY At a meeting of a number of ladies, Monday evening, at the fire house of the Rainbow Hose Company, a Ladies Auxiliary nucleus was formed for the purpose of assisting at the coming fair and bazaar. The chair ladies were Mrs. Homer Zimmerman and Mrs. George Butz. These women, during the week, have enlisted the assistance of quite a number of women so that the auxiliary will be composed of a goodly number and be enabled to be effective work and service in every way. It is planned that the ladies provide their greatest assistance for the two festivals that will be held in connection with the fair and bazaar, on Saturday evenings, March 13th and 20th. During the week two thousand or more letters were distributed by members of the company to every homeowner and every place of business. In this letter was outlined the purpose of the fair and bazaar, namely: to raise funds to pay for the recently rebuilt fire apparatus. Every homeowner and every citizen and every taxpayer is asked to contribute cash or material things. Cash donations are to be placed in small envelopes which will be called for in a short time. Additional committees were named by the general chairman, Charles Bubeck Sr. |
The Call of March 26, 1937 SLIGHT FIRE MONDAY MORNING A slight fire occurred Monday morning, about 7:30 o'clock at the garage of L. C. Dreisbach on Haven Street. The six pieces of the borough's fire apparatus were quickly on the scene, but their services were not required. Flame and smoke suddenly emerging from one of the gas pumps in front of the garage gave every indication of a possible dangerous fire, and the fire alarm was promptly sent in. A short circuit in the electrical device probably set fire to some gas that was remaining in the pipes after a customer had been served. |
The Call of April 2, 1937 BRUSH FIRE CALLS OUT OUR FIREMEN Because of the close proximity of the flames to houses near East Main Street and Avenue C, Tuesday afternoon, a fire alarm was sent in about four thirty o'clock. The flames were from burning brush in vacant lots. When the firemen arrived, there was little work for them, fortunately. All three companies were prompt to respond. The fire was started by two boys of the neighborhood, ranging in ages from ten to twelve. After the blaze had gotten beyond their control, one of the youngsters sent in the fire alarm and then left the scene. |
The Call of June 18, 1937 NEW FIRE TRUCKS ARE DAMAGED The two recently rebuilt fire trucks of the Rainbow Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven, were damaged Thursday morning in Pottsville, to the extent of $350. The accident was the direct result of the driver of the first truck, the hook and ladder apparatus, suddenly swerving the machine in order to prevent striking a pedestrian, somewhat under the influence of string drink. The accident took place on Market Street, near the Charles Baber Cemetery. It occurred about 8:15 o'clock. Both trucks were taken to Pottsville to attend the inspection of the trucks and to participate in the afternoon parade. William Brown was the driver of the truck. He turned out of the road to avoid hitting a man staggering in the path of the truck. The second fire truck, or pumper, driven by Gordon Messer, following the first truck, crashed in to the rear of the first truck, as the driver had to choose between crashing into a parked car, striking another man staggering in the street, or ramming into the rear of the ladder truck. He chose the latter. As a result, the radiator of the pumper was caved in, a light broken, radiator shell broken and the hood bent. The ladders of the ladder truck were broken. The Rainbow boys, as a result of the accident, were not very peppy or enthusiastic participants in the afternoon parade. The company carried no insurance for damages of this kind to their equipment. |
The Call of June 25, 1937 JINX VISITS FIRE DEPARTMENT Firemen of Schuylkill Haven are beginning to feel that they are the victims of a jinx. This for the reason that they have in the past few months have been having bad luck or hard luck. Last Thursday morning, two pieces of apparatus of the Rainbow Hose Company, in order to avoid striking a pedestrian, were driven into one another on Market Street in Pottsville, doing damage to both of the trucks to the amount of $350. And then last Saturday morning the Schuylkill Hose Company firemen almost lost their fire apparatus and fire house by reason of a fire having started on the second floor of the building and not being discovered until it had made considerable headway. However, the first appearance of the jinx seems to have been several weeks ago, early in the morning, when the Liberty Company, responding to an alarm of fire in the Lazos Apartments on East Main Street, when a chair caught fire, broke an axle near the intersection of Union and Railroad Streets. And as a result of the operations of this jinx, and in the interest of the public welfare, it should be remembered that the fire fighting apparatus in Schuylkill Haven is very considerably depleted. In fact, there is only one half the usual apparatus available for service. The public is cautioned to be extremely careful, especially with the use of fireworks and firecrackers, that have already made their appearance. The Liberty Company, having had under consideration numerous repairs being made to their pumper truck at a later date, when an axle on it broke for them decided to have all work done at once and accordingly had it taken to the Hahn Works at Hamburg. The truck is now being given an almost complete overhauling. Everything but the engine and the pumper will be new. Then overall, there will be a new paint job and some new fixtures added. The company expects to have it in Schuylkill Haven and ready for service by July 4th. In the meantime, this company has but one chemical and hose truck for service. As the result of the Thursday morning crack up between the two trucks of the Rainbow Hose Company, it was necessary to send away the pumper truck for repairs. It was sent away Friday evening. This, then, leaves this company with its water booster pumper and combination ladder truck. And in line with the other two fire companies giving attention to having their apparatus modernized and in first class condition, the Schuylkill Hose Company recently sent their hose and chemical truck to the paint shop. Some needed repairs and changes were also made to it and it is now in the hands of the painters at the Luckenbill Auto Body Works on Centre Avenue. This then leaves the company with its pumper, the only pumper in town, and the oldest fire truck and pumper in service in Schuylkill Haven. |
The Call of July 30, 1937 AUTO GAS TANK EXPLODES Wednesday, a junk dealer was using an acetylene torch to cut apart an automobile preparatory to loading it on a truck for removal. He was at work in the open space or yard in front of the Raudenbush Garage on Wilson Street. Everything was going along nicely until he got the torch against the gasoline tank. With a bang it let loose and sprinkled flaming gasoline about. Some of it ran down the gutter and came in close proximity to the adjoining frame garages. A fire alarm for the Schuylkill Hose Company was sent in. Several hand tanks of chemicals were sufficient to extinguish the blaze. |
The Call of September 24, 1937 FOG CAUSES A FIRE EARLY THIS MORNING There are many causes of fire but a peculiar one called out the Schuylkill Haven fire department at two o'clock on Friday morning. Fog was the direct cause. An autoist from Drehersville struck the parked coupe of John H. Schultz on Center Avenue. The fog which hung very heavy over this entire section made it impossible for him to notice the machine. Following the crash, flames burst from the car. The arrival of the firemen saved it from total destruction, by the arrival of the Rainbow Fire Company, who used water from one of their booster tanks on the light apparatus. Both autos were locked together. The interior of the Schultz car was gutted. |
The Call of March 4, 1938 FIRE SCARE SATURDAY EVENING Saturday evening, at Saint John Street in Schuylkill Haven, there was another fire scare, when fat, used to boil fish cakes at the restaurant of Gabul Luongo, ignited. For a time, the kitchen at the rear of the building was a mass of flames. Someone had the presence of mind to pick up the entire pan and throw it outside the building in the rear. This then scattered the fat all over and for a time flames were shooting up from the ground over quite an area. The fire was soon extinguished without damage, due to the manner in which those present at the time cooperated. Had the fire required the service of firemen, it would have been the third fire on Saint John Street within a frontage of 110 feet within a period of 78 days. |
The Call of March 25, 1938 FIREMEN CALLED FOR BRUSH FIRE Firemen were called out Thursday afternoon at 4:30 o'clock, to fight a brush fire on Fairmount Avenue, between Avenue B and Avenue C. The flames had gained good headway and, fanned by a stiff breeze, were getting dangerously close to the property of Melvin Bamford. Water from booster tanks were used by the firemen, while flames in some corners were beaten out. It was the third brush fire for the week that firemen were called out to extinguish. This fire evidently started from sparks from an uncovered can of a nearby neighbor in which material was being burned. |
The Call of May 20, 1938 SLIGHT SUNDAY AFTERNOON FIRE Slight fire in a frame and metal covered clubhouse in the West Ward at the lower end of Jacques Street on Sunday afternoon, brought out the entire fire department shortly after five o'clock. The stove used to provide heat, ignited the woodwork, and when clouds of smoke poured from the building, someone sent in the fire alarm. The flames were quickly extinguished without any great amount of loss. |
The Call of June 10, 1938 SLIGHT FIRE AT SHOE FACTORY THURSDAY EVENING A slight fire occurred, Thursday evening at eight o'clock, at the Miller Shoe Factory. Neighbors and members of the firm residing nearby, had extinguished the same before the arrival of the firemen. The firemen, however, were very promptly on the scene. Persons residing near the mill noticed smoke issuing from one of the windows of the mill and sent in an alarm. The fire was caused by spontaneous combustion and started in the leather scrap box in the cutting department. |
The Call of August 5, 1938 FIRE ROUSES FIREMEN EARLY SATURDAY MORNING Fire, Saturday morning, at 1:40 o'clock, badly gutted a brick frame dwelling on Garfield Avenue, opposite Willow Lake Park. The building was unoccupied, the tenants having moved about three months ago. All fire companies responded. Water was pumped by the Rainbow units from the swimming pool nearby, but it was some time before the flames were extinguished. This because of the fact that the fire had a head start before the firemen arrived and because of the location. The fire evidently started in the corner of the rear of the front room on the second floor. The building had a tin roof. The flames ate upward and then spread to the front of the building, and also down into the front room of the first floor. The front part or one half of the building is of frame and the rear part is of brick, both two stories. The property is owned by John Heim of Jefferson and is partly covered by insurance. The fire was discovered by Ruth Aregood, residing next door to the unpocupied property. |
The Call of September 2, 1938 SLIGHT FIRE ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON Fire at the home of George L. Hill, on North Berne Street, on Friday afternoon, called the entire fire department to the scene. The flames were extinguished in a short time with the use of chemicals. The fire was caused by the flame from a blow torch in the hands of a painter coming too close into contact with woodwork at the cornice of the home. The most damage was done to a section in the front of the house recently covered with asbestos shingles. This damage was caused by the use of chemicals from the fire truck. This home had been recently covered with asbestos shingles an painters had been employed to paint the cornice and various parts of the woodwork. |
The Call of April 2, 1920 ALMOST A FIRE SCARE Fire swept the Baker field at a point south of the corner of Market and Margaretta Streets and to the rear of the Jacob Daubert home on Wednesday afternoon. The flames came dangerously near to some chicken coops pf properties on Market Street. An alarm was sent in but the men at the light plant, before blowing the whistle, called several persons on the phone to investigate the fire. It was at once seen that the fire department could do little and it was unnecessary to cause excitement in incident to blowing the alarm. Professor Hoover was called and requested to send the Boy Scouts to the scene. This he did and the boys in a short time had the flames beaten out and the danger of further communicating with buildings was over. The Scouts are to be commended for their prompt response and action in the matter. |
The Call of July 28, 1939 BRUSH FIRE THREATENS HOMES Boys roasting potatoes in a field near Fairmount, Tuesday afternoon, caused a fire scare which resulted in the fire department being called to extinguish the flames in a field near the Melvin Bamford home on Fairmount. Water was played on the fields for some time and had the fire not been discovered in good time, homes in that section would have been seriously menaced. |
The Call of July 28, 1939 MIDNIGHT FIRE DESTROYS COUNTRY HOME AND CONTENTS Fire on Monday evening shortly after midnight, destroyed a two story frame house and contents in North Manheim Township near Willow Lake. The home was located several hundred yards from the township school house, and along the road leading from the old Schuylkill Haven to Pottsville highway, across the hill to Willow Lake. The flames cast their reflection in the sky and from this elevation, it was possible to see them many miles in the distance. The fire was discovered by a neighbor and an alarm was sent to Schuylkill Haven. The fire departments responded, but the entire structure was a mass of flames and very little could be done. Water from the booster tanks was used to prevent the grass in adjoining fields catching fire and spreading to a colony of a dozen or more homes located several hundred yards from the scene. Fortunately, too, there was little or no wind to spread the flames. They shot upwards and consumed all. A small frame building used as a chicken and dog house, not twenty feet away from the building itself, was just about scorched. No definite information could be obtained as to the present owner of the property. It had been rented to several men, who had been occupying it as bachelor quarters. It is understood that one or two had been ordered to vacate in the morning of the day of the fire. A new tenant was to occupy it in the evening. The house was burned to the foundation walls. Because of the blaze being of the spectacular nature and because it could be seen for miles in the distance, an unusually large number of motorists were attracted to the scene. It was first thought that the buildings at Willow Lake were on fire. Motorists by the hundreds drove towards Willow Lake via Garfield Avenue. Later when this avenue became clocked, motorists drove to the scene of the fire via the road from the Pottsville Pike. Police officers, early sensing what would happen if motorists were permitted to drive close to the scene, stopped all of them on the east side at the foot of the hill near Willow Lake. On the west side they were stopped on the brow of the hill. The fire burned itself out within twenty five minutes. |
The Call of December 22, 1938 FIRE DAMAGE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN The Schuylkill haven fire companies responded to an alarm, Wednesday morning about 10:30 o'clock. The fire was on Becker Street and apparently began in the kitchen of the home of Mrs. Ira Batdorf from a gas range and spread through the partition to the next door residence of Mrs. Edward Sell. Although the fire was extinguished with little difficulty, the damage was estimated at approximately $100. |
The Call of December 25, 1942 SLIGHT FIRE AT ALMSHOUSE MONDAY Fire broke out on Monday morning in the ladies' ward of the County Almshouse hospital, starting in the partitions going up a little to between the roof and ceiling. The damage was not extensive but some forty patients had to be moved into the hallways. The hose companies were misdirected and had great difficulty in locating the fire. The Schuylkill Hose Company reached the scene but they did not need to connect their hoses as employees extinguished the fire by means of their own industrial hose line. |