January 2014 Looking Back - Pottsville Fire Department

Pottsville Fire Department
Looking Back
January
Mike Glore
5 Years Ago
1/1/2009 – Box 324 – 11:05 – 1324-1326 Mahantongo St. Residents of the large, 2story occupied multiple dwelling were alerted to the fire by neighbors who had seen
smoke pouring from the roof. The buildings were destroyed and no longer stand.
Asst. Chief Mike Messner (West End) had command of the 3-alarm fire. These
buildings were also heavily damaged by fire on November 10, 1963.
Coal Region Fire Photos 1/1/2009
15 Years Ago
1/11/1999 – Box 63 – 01:30 – 820-822 Ravine Street; Fire heavily damaged a 2 ½
story duplex. As with most of the January fires, the weather was bitterly cold at the
time. SHFD RIT also responded. MAYDAY called when interior staircase to attic
collapsed taking Good Intent FF Gene Morgan to the first floor of the home. He
sustained minor injuries.
Companies operating on Ravine Street 15 years ago. Lt. Andy Bernetskie (Good Intent) facing
PFD photographer Bob Piccioni.
25 Years Ago
1/4/1989 – Box 22 – 05:20 – 635 Edwards Ave; Fire originating in the basement
damaged the single-family dwelling. Fire damaged a portion of the basement with
minor extension to the first floor.
American Hose Engine 71 (1984 American LaFrance “Century Series” 1500 gpm pumper)
operating on Edwards Ave 25 years ago. West End Ladder 51 (1977 Seagrave 100’/1000 gpm
quint is behind the engine. MPO Evan Williams is in the blue coat.
Humane Engine 33 (1980 Seagrave WB Model 1250 gpm pumper) operating just in front of
Engine 71 on Edwards Avenue in 1989. MPO Mike Matz is in the red coat.
30 Years Ago
1/16/1984 – Box 112 – 21:36 – Radio station WPAM, Lawton’s Hill; Cause:
Flourescent light ballast; Loss: $1,000.
1/18/1984 – Box 511 – 17:50 – 9th & Laurel Blvd, Reiland Potato Chip Company;
Cause: Unknown; Building a total loss: $665,000; Good Intent recalled 1/19 at 14:52
for a rekindle; Humane recalled 1/21 at 16:57 for a rekindle. See Part II “The Chip
Factory”
35 Years Ago
1/15/1979 – Box 531 – 18:02 – 818 N. 3rd St; Occupant: John Smith; Cause:
Unknown; Loss: $2,000.
1/21/1979 – Box 523 – 18:14 – 517 N. 8th St, Willie Webb’s Tire Service; Cause:
Portable kerosene heater upset; Loss: $11,000; Returned 04:28 on 1/22 for Box 523
and again at 07:30 on a still (Humane and Good Intent).
As the owner of the building was moving some tires, he upset a portable
kerosene heater, which ignited a fire. Companies arrived with heavy smoke and fire
from the 1-story warehouse portion of the building along N 8th St. The fire was
confined to this portion of the building, but proved to be persistent as it burned into
the cockloft. The fire was placed under control in 1 hour. American Hose firefighter
Robert Ventresca, Jr suffered an ankle injury suffered as he was boarding Engine 71
to respond to the call. The fire occurred during Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers
earned their 3rd Super Bowl victory by defeating the Dallas Cowboys 35-31. The Webb
Tire building would stand for 3 more years…
Companies operating in the rear warehouse portion of Webb’s Tire Company in 1979. The
hosebed of Humane’s 1953 Seagrave 70th Anniversary Series 1000 gpm pumper is visible in the
lower right.
The front of Webb’s Tire Company in 1979 as Good Will Enigne 41 (1963 GMC/American 750
gpm high-pressure pumper) and Yorkville Truck 61 (1967 Maxim 1000 gpm quad) go in
service. The front of Webb’s would look very different early on the morning of March 27, 1982,
when fire destroyed the building. Note Box 523 on the utility pole to the left. The late Jack
Reinmiller (Yorkville) runs toward the photographer.
1/23/1979 – Box 14 and Box 17 – 20:03 – 110 E. Arch St; Seider’s Printing Company;
Cause: Arson; Loss: $98,500.
Within a minute of each other, Box 14 and Box 17 were pulled bringing
companies to the area. On the approach, heavy smoke was showing from the Seider’s
Printing Company on the northwest corner of E Arch St and Railroad St (Progress
Ave). Fire originated in the southeast corner of the first floor and extended to the 2nd
floor and roof via an interior wooden staircase. The fire burned through the roof in
two areas. The rear portion of the building was heavily damaged. Fire Chief Todd
March placed the fire under control in 30 minutes. Companies began clearing the
scene in an hour and a half. Humane firefighter Jay Jacoby was treated for smoke
inhalation. An investigation by Chief March, PSP Fire Marshal Tom Slane, and Asst.
Fire Chief Earl Blum (West End) revealed that the fire was intentionally set. This
building still stands today.
PREH photo of Seider’s Printing in 1979. Good Will Engine 41 (1963 GMC/American 750 gpm
high-pressure pumper) in service to the left and the tiller portion of Phoenix Ladder 21 (1978
American LaFrance 100’ tractor-drawn aerial ladder ) to the right.
40 Years Ago
1/2/1974 – Box 68 – 18:10 – Peacock Street Housing Project #15, 16, 17, 18, and 19;
Cause: Unknown; Loss: $72,500.
The Peacock Street Housing Project was new when a fire was discovered on the
2nd floor of # 17. A civilian ran to Box 68 – Centre & Coal Sts – and pulled the hook
just as the Desk Sergeant at City Hall was receiving a telephone call reporting the fire.
When companies arrived, heavy fire was showing from the 2nd floor of # 17. Fire
entered the cockloft and broke-through the roof of three of the homes at #16, 17, &
18. Numerous handlines were placed in service as were the ladder pipes on both the
Phoenix and West End aerial ladders. In all, 4 units in the 42-unit complex were
gutted and another heavily damaged. The fire was placed under control at 09:45. Fire
Chief Andy Hoke had command and was assisted on scene by Assistant Chiefs Dennis
McCabe (Good Intent) and Bobby Ventresca (American Hose). Three firefighters
maintained a firewatch overnight: John Simpson (Humane), George Schneck
(Yorkville), and Manuel Alves (Phoenix). One firefighter – James Hollenbush (Good
Will) – was admitted to the Pottsville Hospital after being overcome by smoke. Five
families were left homeless.
A bit of a controversy developed over the fire when some firefighters on scene
evidently complained that a still alarm was initially transmitted for the fire, rather
than a box, thereby delaying the department’s response. It was also reported that
some fire apparatus drivers had to be called by telephone to respond as a result of the
delay. Fire Chief Andy Hoke vehemently denied this report – and it is unknown what
triggered the complaints. Sometimes these things take on a mind of their own.
Particularly curious is the fact that a street box was pulled for the fire, thereby
turning-out the entire department. The Pottsville Housing Authority also defended the
construction of the units after questions arose as to the quality of the workmanship
and materials used considering the fire spread. Those questions I am familiar with as
my dad – after operating West End’s ladder pipe at the fire – also remarked at how
quickly the fire spread through the homes. Again, this was the PFD’s first experience
with fires in these housing units.
These homes were again involved in a fire eight years later: 2/3/1982 – Box 68
– 09:32 – 14-15-16-17 Peacock St; Fire in basement crawlspace as a result of a
propane leak and fire; Loss: $5,300.
Firefighters operating in the rear of the homes on Peacock Street in 1974.
1/4/1974 – STILL – 01:16 – 664-666 N. 2nd St; Cause: Overheated chimney;
Occupants: Edward See and Frank Harvey; Loss: $200.
1/4/1974 – Box 75 – 20:15 – 1732-1734 West End Avenue; Cause: Unknown; Loss:
$24,000; Occupants and losses:
1732 Lucy Lynch $22,500
1734 Robert Fox
1,500
Fire originating on the 2nd floor of 1732 and extended to the third floor of that
home and the third floor of 1734. Companies were out for 2 ½ hours. These homes
still exist on West End Ave.
1/13/1974 – STILL – 16:51 – George Gately house in Mechanicsville; Chief sent
American Hose, West End, and Greenwood Hill. Not much info on this fire… The 2nd
and 3rd floors of the home were damaged. Companies were out 1 ½ hours.
45 Years Ago
1/11/1969 – Box 541 – 21:15 – 633-635 Harrison St; Occupants: Robert Horning and
Mrs. H. Pellish; Cause: Overheated furnace; Loss: $9,000.
Fire originated in the basement of the Robert Horning home at 635 Harrison as
a result of an overheated furnace. This ignited the first floor joists along the basement
ceiling. Fire quickly found the balloon-frame walls of the 2 ½ story duplex and spread
vertically to the upper floors. This was the childhood home of City Solicitor Tim
Pellish.
1/30/1969 – Box 522 – 18:15 – 315 Laurel Street; Occupant: John Sherry; Cause:
Unknown; Loss: $2,050. This building would also be the scene of a fire on May 29,
1982 when fire caused $5,700 in damage to the 3rd floor apartment as a result of
careless smoking (Box 522 at 01:20).
50 Years Ago
1/19/1964 – Box 214 – 13:06 – Anderson & Mauch Chunk Sts; Occupants: Willie
Smicker; Cause: Overheated stove; Loss: $250. Fire originating on the 2nd floor of
the 2-story, frame home gutted the building.
1/23/1964 – STILL – 09:40 – Oak Hill Breaker, Duncott; Cause: Torch ignited
materials; Chief sent Yorkville and West End.
55 Years Ago
1/4/1959 – Box 26 – 09:36 – Centre & Howard Ave, Trinity Episcopal Church; Cause:
Overheated decorations on manger scene; Loss: $300.
1/5/1959 – Box 71 – 12:52 – 1704 W. Norwegian St; Occupant: Howard Fernsler;
Cause: Bad electrical plug at floor outlet; Loss: $1,000.
60 Years Ago
1/23/1954 – Box 53 – 20:58 – 500 Minersville St; Occupant: Jim Carrigan; Cause:
Partition wall and floor on fire from overheated furnace; Loss: $300.
1/24/1954 – Box 53 (again!) – 06:10 – 420 Minersville St; Occupant: Boyce Cash;
Cause: Unknown, television set on fire; Loss: $900.
65 Years Ago
1/11/1949 – Box 51 – 03:30 – 206 and 208 Laurel St and rear 317 N. 2nd St; Cause:
Unknown, fire started in alley at garage in rear of 317 N 2nd St and burned through 2
garages to 3rd floor of Philip Kline residence; Loss: $1,471; Occupants and losses:
206
Joulwan
208
Mr. Grady (garage)
206
Philip Kline (furniture)
Rear 317 N. 2nd – H. Kainsger
$1,221
50
100
100
While on routine patrol, Police Sergeant Witmer and Patrolman Coles radioed
Patrolman Storch at City Hall asking him to transmit the alarm for a fire involving a
garage in an alley to the rear of the original Humane firehouse at 3rd & Minersville
Sts. Patrolman Storch promptly placed the code wheel for Box 51 – Centre &
Minersville Sts – on the Gamewell system. Fire began on the exterior of a garage to the
rear of 206 Laurel and extended to the 3-story frame dwelling. The building at 206
was owned by Joulwan and occupied by Kline. Fire Chief George Smith had
command. This is an interesting incident primarily based on the location. These
homes would have stood generally where the rear overhead door is on the current
Humane firehouse at the corner of Humane Alley and N 2nd St.
This is the west (odd) side of the 300 block of N 2nd St. The 317 N 2nd St property, in which the
rear was involved in the fire, was mid-block in the photo. The 206 and 208 Laurel Street
properties would be to the left of the large corner building which is fronting N 2nd St in the
photo (and was addressed as 313 N 2nd). Photo courtesy Joe Szeliga.
70 Years Ago
1/3/1944 – Box 12 – 19:15 – Rear 571 E. Norwegian St; Occupant: Miss Edith
Miehle; Cause: Overheated stove set fire to partition wall; Loss: $1,000.
1/17/1944 – Box 512 – 21:48 – near York Farm patch; Frame building owned by
Lehigh Coal Company; Cause: Side of building used for church services set on fire;
Loss: $100.
1/31/1944 – STILL – 22:00 – 1317 Mahantongo St; Occupant: Mrs. O’Reilly; Cause:
Cigarette set fire to papers on desk; curtains, wallpaper, bed on fire; Loss: $189.
75 Years Ago
1/8/1939 – STILL – 17:50 – Call for help at Mossolino coal breaker at Indian Run;
Small shanty burned-down; Chief sent Yorkville.
85 Years Ago
1/4/1929 – STILL – 02:15 – Assistance for Pt. Carbon; Humane and American Hose
sent by Chief.
Addressed as 127 Coal Street was the 2 ½ story home of Joseph Kempski, who
operated a barbershop and insurance firm. His home was heavily damaged, but the
fire was prevented from spreading to nearby properties. By the time Fire Chief
Stevenson and the Pottsville companies arrived, the fire was largely contained.
Damage was estimated at $5,000. Port Carbon Fire Chief W.W. Wilson was injured
when a portion of the 2nd floor of the home collapsed, dropping him to the floor below.
He suffered a fractured shoulder and a laceration to the head.
1/4/1929 – Box 45 – 18:45 – 304 N. 9th St; Occupant: Mrs. Harris; Cause: Lamp
exploded; Loss: $265.
1/8/1929 – Box 51 – 02:45 – 412 N 2nd St; Occupant: H. Joulwan; Cause: Unknown;
Loss: $10,200.
The clerk at the Eagle Hotel at Centre & Minersville Sts discovered smoke
pouring from the 4-story apartment building at 412 N. 2nd St. – across from the
Courthouse. He pulled the hook on Box 51. Companies arrived with heavy fire in a
1st floor rear apartment. Fire extended to the 2nd floor via the partition walls. The fire
was placed under control in approximately 1 hour and companies began clearing the
scene shortly thereafter. A rekindle was discovered at 05:30 and it was found that fire
had now spread to the 3rd and 4th floors of the building. The heavy fire conditions
coupled with the previous fire damage resulted in an interior collapse. The second fire
was placed under control at 08:00 with companies remaining on scene until 11:00.
During the overnight hours, firefighters were given refuge from the bitter cold in the
Schuylkill County Courthouse.
1/11/1929 – STILL – 13:20 – 1815 Mahantongo St; Occupant: T. Pepper; Cause:
Gasoline explosion; Loss: $400.
90 Years Ago
1/6/1924 – STILL – 09:30 – Assistance for Cressona; Seifert’s Wagon Works; Humane
and Good Intent sent by Chief.
The Cressona Auto and Wagon Works was located near the Schuylkill County
Fairgrounds (generally to the rear of the Hubert Inn on Pottsville Street, Cressona,
today heading toward the SAPA plant. For the 3rd time in 5 years, fire struck the
business. The first fire – from the November “Looking Back” – was in November, 1918.
That fire destroyed the business. The 2nd fire occurred in 1921 and damaged several
automobiles. The business was owned by William Seifert of Cressona and Albert
Johns of Schuylkill Haven. The 1924 fire was believed to have originated in one of the
autos in the business for repair. The fire completely destroyed the 3 frame buildings
of the Wagon Works as well as 21 automobiles. Fire threatened several homes along
Pottsville Street for a time. Damage was estimated at $75,000. The fire was placed
under control at 12:30.
1/31/1924 – Box 53 – 04:30 – 423 Minersville St; Occupant: A. Barket; Cause:
Matches; Loss: $150.
95 Years Ago
1/11/1919 – STILL – 02:40 – Assistance for Port Carbon; American Hose, Good Intent,
and Humane responded.
Charles Steckroth operated a business in very large Emerald Hall building then
located at Coal and Pike Sts in Port Carbon. The building also housed several other
businesses, including the American Stores Company grocery store (later known as
ACME Markets). Steckroth’s business was not going well. After drinking heavily that
evening in his store, he started a fire with the intention of collecting on his insurance
policy. The fire spread rapidly, eventually destroying the 25-year old Emerald Hall. In
addition to the Pottsville companies, Palo Alto sent a combination truck and the Alert
of St. Clair sent a steamer to assist the Port Carbon Fire Department. The fire was
placed under control at 02:00. The Schreadley property on Pike Street and the Brown
property on Coal Street were also destroyed. 2 injuries were reported. Damage was
estimated at $75,000.
Photo from 1979 Good Will, Port Carbon County Convention ad book: Aftermath of the
Emerald Hall fire in 1919.
1/31/1919 – Box 17 and Box 19 – E. Norwegian & George and 21 N. George St;
Occupants: Pottsville Foundry Company and F. Yaissle; Cause: Incendiary; Loss:
$600.
100 Years Ago
1/23/1914 – Box 44 – 22:30 – 13 East Norwegian St; 5-story apartment house owned
by Mrs. Pilgrim; Cause: Wires short circuited by telephone wires; Loss: $1,719.69.
115 Years Ago
1/12/1899 – Box 25 – 17:25 – Slight fire at the residence of Professor D. W. Herbert,
9th & Mahantongo St.
1/23/1899 – Box 53 – 15:20 – Slight fire in a stable on 7th St between Harrison and
Fairview; Occupied by Mr. Glassmire.
1/30/1899 – Box 42 – 21:10 – Fire at A. Reinhart’s stable, 9th & W. Market St. Loss:
Appx. $400. Note that West End’s original firehouse was located behind Anton
Reinhart’s Hotel at 10th & W. Market.
130 Years Ago
1/7/1884 – Alarm of fire from Conrad Miller’s hotel, at drove yard.
145 Years Ago
1/30/1869 – Slight fire at the residence of John Ebert, West Market St; Damage about
$400.
150 Years Ago
1/30/1864 – 22:00 – Four dwellings destroyed; The bake house of John Henry Moser
on West Market Street; The residence of Charles Oerther, and property owned by John
W. Roseberry, Esq, and Mrs. John Simmons; There was a heavy rain falling at the time
of the fire; Mr. Moser’s loss was $1,000; Mr. Oerther’s $600; Mr. Roseberry’s house
was occupied by John Y. Wren; the loss was about $1,400 on Mr. Roseberry’s
property. These properties stood on the north side of the 1200 block of West Market
St just before the Charles Baber Cemetery – generally where the homes are today
across from the West End Hose Company (the company didn’t exist at the time).
Thanks to Dr. Pete Yasenchak of the Historical Society for pinning-down the location
of the properties.

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