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WFD HISTORY

"The Big One"

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The Wolf Building Fire

On a cold and windy Friday, March 02,1900 a massive fire tested both volunteer fire companies. A fire in the three story Wolf building destroyed 26-28-30 East Main Street and damaged 23,38,40 and 42. The Silsby Steamer pumped for six hours, and cracked in the boiler that put in in the shop for weeks.

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December 17,1924  -  58-68 West Main Street - Fire and explosion in the "Sanitary Lunch" This fire took out almost one full block. The Sanitary Lunch and James Baboes Shoes and Shoe repair were total losses. The Goodwill Fire Company (Chambersburg) and First Hose (Hagerstown MD) came to assist.

Mechanics Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company #1 Take best appearing steamer with the Silby Steam Pumper. At the Eagle Fire Company number  2 (Hanover PA) 25th anniversary June 02,1928

August 21,1940 at 12:55 in the morning, a fire started from a welder torch spread quickly through The Geiser Manufacturing plant and complex. It destroyed the plant that cover the about four square blocks of Waynesboro. The glow of the fire could be seen for miles. The only building to survive was office on the north west corner of Walnut Street and East Second Street.

January 19, 1930 - The Wayne Building Fire - 94 West Main Street and Potomac Street

The fire was discover near the bake ovens in the Bon Ton Bakery,14 Business were destroyed in the blaze.

Firemen were hampered by the cold weather and the lack of fire gear. Most of the firemen did not have fire coats or fire helmets. Five residents were rescue by ladders. The borough allowed the firemen to use the trolley cars to keep warm. The owner rebuilt the new four story building with steel and concrete.

The business were: Bon Ton Bakery, FM Reynolds's Music, J.H. Bower, Karns Photographer, Pryor Tire Shop, Conella Clayton, Blair's Drug Store, J.A. Strite, J.C. Blood Shoe Shop, Cleman Lohman Dentist, Krep's Printing, Fraternal Home Insurance, Girl Scouts, Kindergarten, the Baby Clinic and Shockey & Miller.

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January 16,1940 the King Warehouse and Apartment building fire.

1946 - The Always There Hook and Ladder Company Number 1, Band and Drill Team in Frederick Maryland with 50 members marching and playing in the band.

1946 - The Always There Hook and Ladder Company Number 1,Drill Team in Greencastle for the "Old Home Week" parade.

January 13, 1949 at 4:30 AM - The Brake Pontiac Garage on South Potomac Street was a total loss at an estimated value of $100,000.00. Firemen were almost trapped when a wall blew out.

August 13,1949 car fire in the 300 block of Fairview Avenue (1927 LaFrance)

June 21, 1953 at 3:15 AM - Three houses were destroyed by fire on Mulberry Street in Waynesboro.

March 19,1965 - A gas stove explosion left 15 people homeless at the corner of South Church Street and Gay Street in Waynesboro.

November 21, 1966 about 12:30AM - Hazardous Materials Incident - Train derailment. Two railroad cars loaded with petroleum naphtha exploded and burnt. The car were among the eleven that derailed that morning. The newspaper report that sky was lit up that read a newspaper when the tank car carrying flammable liquid blew up on the Western Maryland Railroad tracks in Waynescastle.

January 25,1968 at 8:10 AM - A hard fought fire at  Mathias Restaurant and Tavern on Cleveland Avenue at Ridge Avenue, lead to the Mechanics' Lieutenant C. Nevin Barnhart rescuing Mr. A.S. Kennel from a burning up stairs apartment. The weather was biter cold about -8F degrees. The department's medal of valor is named after "Barney". He insisted that "Every man there deserves credit. anyone here would have done the same". They drafted water out of the basement and reused on the fire. The building was a total loss. Mathias' was rebuilt and still servicing some of the best food in town.

August 1969 - The Colonial Fair Department Store Fire - This building was saved and now has a Mexican restaurant, Beck and Benedict Hardware Store, Gold's Gym, and hosts live blue grass music on the weekends.

May 22,1970 - West Main Street at the Owls Club - A quick attack with proper ventilation saved the building.

March 26, 1971 at 5:17 PM - 126 North Church Street in Waynesboro. The dwelling fire was started by a plumber's torch. The last unit cleared the scene at 7:30 PM. No injuries were reported.

July 11, 1972 - A crane is being used to lift a Valley Transit Company truck that over turned at a home construction site at Shriner's Knob, off Mentzer Gap Road. The driver was not hurt but the truck was a total loss due to the hardening of the concrete and the chassis was badly damaged.

Photo by Raymond Thompson.

June  28, 1973 - Sherman Clothing Store fire - As the story goes, The owner reported that a bird flew into the store and drop a cigarette in to a trash can.  The bank next door bought the damaged properties for parking.

December 22, 1973 - The White Swan Hotel and Tavern fire was a stubborn fire to fight in the cold weather.

The law office of Robert P. Shoemaker was burnt out from a fire that started in the basement. Six firemen were hurt fighting this fire. Tom Smith, Tom Rollins and Ray T. Waltz suffered smoke inhalation. James Valentine cut his finger and Fire Chief Ken Lemmon had a rusty nail puncture his right boot and foot. And one of the fireman did not want his name in the paper. All of the firemen were treated at the Waynesboro Hospital. Rescue Hose Company covered the South Potomac Street station and Mont Alto transferred to Virginia Avenue fire hall. The building was 184 years old at the time of the fire.

Fairview Avenue Elementary School fire

October 04, 1974 - A student set a fire in the coat room shown above. It took the  students and teachers 40 seconds to evacuate the school. The fire got into a common roof, the entire school received damage. The school was razed and students used local churches until the school could be rebuilt. The pull station that sounded the alarm and one of the fire alarm bells is in the day room at South Potomac Street Fire Station.

July 1976 - Engine 2-3  at the first Pennsylvania Pump Primer Harrisburg PA

The Anthony Wayne Hotel Fire

December 03, 1976  at 2:30 AM- The Anthony Wayne Hotel Fire. Firefighter nearly did not make it out when the roof collapsed, bring the hotel sign crashing on to the forth floor. The crew from the city of Hagerstown was credited with keeping the fire at bay with a back-up line until additional 2 1/2 lines could be brought to the fire floor. This building has been restored ( less half the forth floor) and is now a extended living complex. It also has automatic detection, pull stations and stand pipe for fire protection. The investigators said the fuse (opposite the arrow) caught fire in a fourth floor electrical panel. The fire was under control at 6:30 AM. There was not major injuries to firefighters or residents. The loss was list as $80,000.00. During this fire there was a dwelling fire two houses from Renfrew Park on East Main Street. The 1950 Mack did a U-turn around the Christmas tree in the square and the engine from Blue Ridge Mountain Volunteer Fire Company stopped at the scene to assist.

April 17,1977  at  2:13 AM- First Assistant Chief Ray T. Waltz helps Sue Patterson of Fairview (Quincy Twp) after fire gutted their home. She and her children, Windy 2 years old and Timmy four months, escaped and were not injured.   

July 1977 - Waynesboro Fire Department takes home two second place trophies at the Second PA Pump Primers in Harrisburg. The first was Arena Pumping and the other was in the Bucket Brigade

Kneeling - Terry Huff, Doug Robson, Robert Reynolds. Standing - Ronnie Rohrbaugh, James Poper, Jerry Hartman, Rick Mitchell, George Bailey and Allen Brake.

December 30, 1977 - Fatal house fire at the corner of East Main Street and Walnut Street. Hagerstown City's truck 1 assisted on the call.

March 5, 1978 - 253 South Church Street in Waynesboro - Working dwelling fire six resident were saved by Waynesboro firefighters. A 72 year old woman lost her life in the fire.

August 13, 1978 at 5:03 AM - Fire destroys "Hot Dog Stand" Waynesboro R.D. 2 ( Buchanan Trail East and Cold Springs Road) The fire was set to cover up a break-in. For 30 years the Sprenkle's supplied Waynesboro with the best home made root beer, hot dogs and steamers.

December 23, 1978 at 11:48 - House Fire - Working fire on the second floor. A mother and her two children were displaced. Estimated damage was $6000.00.

March 12,1979 - Fire causes heavy damage to the home of Dennis Bingaman at the intersection of Honodal and Iron Bridge Roads in Washington Township. Greencastle and Leitersburg assisted on the fire.

August 24,1979 at 11:00 PM - as part of the Cumberland Valley Fire Volunteer Fireman's Association's 78th annual convention & WFD's 100th anniversary hosted a Shirt tail parade.

August 25,1979 - CVVFA Grand parade - The Rescue Hose Company - Greencastle PA.  Won the oldest hand pumper and best appearing antique

August 25,1979 - CVVFA Grand parade - Halfway MD won the Best Truck

 WFD's 100th anniversary float

June 7, 1980 at 16:10 - Hazardous Materials Incident - Box 2-17  just off of Fort Stouffer Road in Quincy Twp. Fourteen cars of a 90 car train came off the tracks carrying coal, paper, steel bars, yellow phosphorus residue and propylene.  Three Waynesboro firefighters were injured when they removed the cover on the phosphorus car. Firefighters Ray T. Waltz Jr (Rusty), Colby F. Decker and William J. Cook were treated at the Waynesboro Hospital for burns. Their gear had to be destroyed. Over two million gallons of water was hauled to the scene from Waynesboro and Greencastle. The incident lasted for three days.

October 6, 1980 - A blaze destroyed the Buchanan Trail East home of Paul Williams

August 3, 1981 approximately 10 AM - Barn Fire on the Ridge View Fruit Farm - 11105 Buchanan Trail East. The barn and most of farm equipment was lost, But no livestock was lost. Firefighters from Waynesboro, Blue Ridge Summit and Fort Ritchie were on the scene for over two hours.

August 10, 1981 at 4 PM - Burning trash sparks shed fire - 5803 Tick Ridge Road.

February 2, 1982 at 4:40 AM - Assisting on the 4 box - Working house fire with burn patients. 12862 Old Route 16 in Washington Township. Two brothers were seriously. Tanker 2-12 had 13 personal on board -

4 in the cab,3 in the hose bed and 6 on the tailboard.

1982 - The Mack Aerial scope first use was at Beck & Benedict's Hardware Store 86 West Main Street.

October 16, 1982 - A Ford Bronco slammed into a parked tractor trailer.

December 30, 1982 - House fire 33 Penn Street in Waynesboro.

June 20, 1983 at 12:28 PM - Fire in storage building - To the rear of Harold's Gun Shop. First reports were that there was black gun powder in the building. Crew made a quick knock down! It was later discovered that the space was rented out Hull Boating supplies and that boxes stored to close to a light caused the fire. There was no gun powder in the building. Waynesboro firefighters were on the scene just over a hour.

September 1983 - Silo Collapse Wayne Highway on the farm of Jay Fry. One man was killed and another was seriously injured.

September 26, 1985 at 4:14 AM - Paul Stouffer Lawn Mower Shop - Walnut Street and East Second Street.

Fire Chief Terry Reiber said that firefighters faced a number of problem at the fire, first the number of lawn mowers, engines and parts. There were minor explosions from the stored oil, gasoline and the magnesium.

The exposures on the north and south sides of the fire building were scorched. It took 20 minutes to bring the fire under control, but units remained on the scene until 6:15 AM hitting hot spots and cleaning up.

January 25, 1986 just before 10 AM - The Mountain Inn and Bar Fire 14131 Buchanan Trail East in Blue Ridge Summit. An explosion occurred when the owner Sue Wagaman tried to light a kerosene heater. She was treated at the Waynesboro Hospital for smoke inhalation and burns, later transferred to Walter Reed Medical Center

October 04, 1986 - Engine 2-3 and crew traveled to Washington DC and brought home three awards from the Fifth Annual Firefighter's Parade & Muster. First place for Longest Distance Traveled under own power. Second Place for Drafting Contest for a centrifugal pumper, and forth place Best Appearing Antique.

Left to Right - Terry Reiber (Fire Chief), Arley Scott, Don Ringer, Ray Waltz Sr.( Mechanic's President) and Gary Summers

August 08,1988  about 10:30 AM - Antrim Faith Baptist Church - South Potomac Street. A roofer's torch caused the fire that burnt the roof off of the main chapel. The fire had spread through out the false ceilings before the arrival of the fire department. Aggressive truck work saved many of the church belonging, even some of the pews were saved. The tower and rescue squads crews used almost all of the department's salvage covers. Engine Company Captain Gary Summers was injured when he was struck by part of the roof when it collapsed. He was able to get his crew out of the chapel just before the collapse. He was treated and release from the Waynesboro Hospital. The last unit left at 3:15 PM

November 19, 1988 - Frick Company Office and Pattern Warehouse Building Fire. Four separate fires in two attached building, with many renovations and drop ceiling sent it fire to nine alarms.

June 11, 1990 at 17:10 hours -100 CV Avenue in Waynesboro - Dumpster fire next to a building - Upon arrival unit found the Frick Research Building on fire. Fire Chief Don Ringer called for a second alarm due to size of the building and that there were hazardous materials in the building. The Freon and ammonia was not in the area of the fire. The fire was under control within 20 minutes.

March 30,1992 - Shortly before 5 PM - 11008 Old Forge Road at the home of Robert Reynolds, life member of the Mechanics Hose Company. The fire that started in the garage caused $15,000.00 damage. There were no injuries.

August 16, 1994 at 17:30 hours - Plane Crash - 152 South Potomac Street in Waynesboro. Four people were killed when a twin engine 320 Cessna crashed into a house on South Potomac Street. There was two people in the house and two in the plane. There was 150+ Firefighters,15 EMS providers,20 Police Officers, 60 Fire-Police, Local EMA was staffed with seven,4 people from State EMA, 5 from the Franklin County Corner's office, 2 C.I.S.D team members, The NTSB have a three person team, 2 people from FAA and the Lieutenant Governor were on the scene. About 23:30 hours the scene was decleared under control, at time the incident became a  accident investigation. The fire department remained on the scene unit 17:30 hours on August 17th. The investigation took over four months and was ruled engine trouble.

December 09, 1994 - Tower 2 operating at the Ollie's Fire on Lincoln Way East.

February 20, 1995 - Saint Paul's United Methodist Church Fire - Second Street Chambersburg - Six million dollar fire loss. Tower 2 operating on side 4.

March 27,1995 at 19:05 hours - Working Fire -"The Bakery"  27 East Main Street in Waynesboro.  Box 2-01. 

The fire was cause by disgarded smoking materials in a plastic trash can. The fire was knocked down in less than ten minutes, but still caused $2500.00 damage.

August 17,1996 at 09:10 Hours - Newcomer's Truck Parts - Nunnery Road - Box 2-17 in Quincy Twp.

The building was filled with vehicle upholstery and vehicle parts. An employee was using a cut torch when the vehicle exploded. The employee was uninjured. One firefighter was treated for exhaustion. It was estimated that the height of the fire, over 3000 gallons of water a minute were being used to protect the Office and other warehouse. Ten other local fire departments assisted with the all day operation. Assistant Fire Chief Gary Summers released the last unit at 14:35 Hours.

January 15, 1997 at 04:46 hours - Wayne Highway south of Prices Church Road - The driver of a pick-up hit and was wedged under a 45 foot trailer loaded with lumber. The impact broke the king pin off the fifth wheel.  Washington Township police believe that the accident happened around 3 AM, but was not reported until 4:46. Special request for Rescue Squad 40 from Blue Ridge Summit and a fork lift from Frick Company to unload the trailer was made within minutes of arrival. It took just about a hour to free the driver the was flown by Maryland State Police Helicopter to Washington County Hospital.

June 15, 1997 at 19:56 hours - 721 South Church Street in Waynesboro. This fire was in the home of long time member Mark Dale. Six pets were rescued. The fire was caused by a malfunction in the stove.

January 17, 1997 at 21:00 hours - Working house fire with entrapment - Box 2-70 - 234 South Landis Avenue in Washington Township. The first to arrive was Assistant Chief Gary Summers and reported dark brown smoke puffing from under the door and the front window rattling and that he had a backdraft situation. The building was not opened up until two positive pressure ventilation fans were running and hose lines in place. Windows on the other end of the fire room were open at the same time entry was made, with the back to back fans blowing. As the hose team knock down the fire, the first rescue crew did a right hand search and found the badly burnt body of Mrs. Garver. At the same time the second rescue crew did a left handed search and found Mr. H. Lane Garver. He was transfer to the waiting ambulance and medic 2 crew. He was later transfer to University of Maryland Stock trauma Burn center. When the house was ventilated steam hit the 9 degree weather outside and put coating of ice on the side 4 porch, Truck Company Captain Jody Sanders fall and broke his left leg in two places and was transported to the Waynesboro hospital. He had to have surgery to have pins, screws and plates installed to fix the fractures. The State Police Fire Marshal, Washington Township police ruled that fire accidental. The Franklin County Coroner Ken Piffer Jr. listed the cause of death as asphyxiation and burns. The rescue crews earned the department's medal of valor, while the attack and vent crews earned a unit commendation. Mr. Garver made a full recovery and visited the firefighters at fire station to thank everyone involved.

December 21,1997 - The caretaker's house at the Waynesboro water treatment plant on Rattlesnake Run Road in Quincy Township. The fire was cause by a extension cord.  Crews had a tuff time making the fire floor, until the tower crew opened the house up!

February 11, 1998 - Dwelling Fire - 7903 Lyons Road in Washington Township.

May 17, 2003 at 04:18 hours -  2 Alarm House fire with exposures - 500 Block of West Main Street in Waynesboro. Box 2-01 - The original house and the side 4 exposure were damaged beyond repair. A firefighter called a May-Day when his leg went through the floor, He was assisted the Longmeadow's Truck Crew (WC Truck 27) He had only minor injuries. Units cleared the scene just after 08:00 hours.

Tower 2 in Operation at a single family dewelling fire in Blue Ridge Summit's first due on Hearthwood Drive.

Sept. 24, 2005  House fire - Box 2-01 - 210 Park Street in Waynesboro.

September 07, 2007 at 07:13 Hours- The incident first was dispatched as a fire with entrapment in an apartment over Arturo's Pizzeria & Restaurant at 5261 Buchanan Trail East,The mother and her two children, however, had not spent the night in the apartment, Fire Chief Ron Flegel said. The fire was caused by an apparent electrical malfunction in a light fixture in a bedroom closet.

2005 - Tower 2 first use on a call was on a 4-01 box Pennersville Rd in Washington Twp.

Jan. 23, 2007 at 0527 hours - Warehouse Fire - Mulberry Street just off the Rotary  parking lot. The building owned by Waynesboro Floor Coverings was filled it carpet and service vehicles. The building and its contents was a total loss. The fire was believed to have started in a Ford van. Units were on the scene until 09:40 hours.

When the Waynesboro Floor Covering's warehouse was rebuilt it was designed to reflect a 1900s fire house. As seen in the background.

Oct. 22, 2006 The White Swan Hotel on center square - 2 Alarm fire.

March 04, 2006 about 3:30 AM - 3 Alarm vacant apartment building fire - units were on the scene well into the next afternoon finding hot spots.

April 05, 2007 - 300 block of South Church Street in Waynesboro three houses on fire at dispatch. There was four alarm dispatched to the location.

May 02, 2008 - Single family dwelling -  Rachael Court Washington County Maryland - Tower 2 first due truck!

July 2008 - Appartment building fire in the unit block of 34 South Church Street in Waynesboro.

July 21, 2008 at 14:34 hours - Apartment building fire - 82 West Main Street in Waynesboro - Box 2-01 - Air temputure was in the 90s and heat index was 100+, Units cleared at 17:30 Hours

(Photo by the Record Herald)

Jan. 16, 2010 at 15:44 hours - Commercial Building fire - Freeland Metal Recycling - 100 East Sixth Street in Waynesboro - Box 2-01 -A  warehouse  that was being used as a metal recycling center was gutted when a worker cutting parts off vehicle ignited three other vehicles inside the building. there was a total of 8 vehicles in the building. Engine 2-1, Engine 2-2 ,Engine-Tanker 2, Tower 2 and the Rescue Squad responded from Waynesboro. The commercial assignment brought Engine Companies from Mont Alto, Blue Ridge Summit and Leitersburg, Ladder Truck from New Franklin and a second ambulance and the Re-Hab unit from Waynesboro Ambulance Squad.The fire was quickly contained, but due to the vehicles that was stacked on top of each other and flowing fuel fire an Airport Crash Truck (Crash 19) was special requested. They used Class-B foam  and dry chemical fire extinguishing agent to knock down the fire and control the vapors. Units were placed in service at 17:38 hours

May 10, 2010 at 19:02 hours - Working out building fire - Monterey Lane - Box 4-01 - One Blue Ridge Summit firefighter was injured at  the working  garage fire with a full second floor above. Waynesboro responded with Engine 2-1 and Tower 2. Uits cleared the scene at 21:00 hours.

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