..65 years ago. 1960.

This fire was said to be one of the coldest ever in the history of Carlisle (-15 degrees). It was said that some of the hose was carried back to the stations in frozen lengths to thaw. Around 6:30 AM the owner of 317 N. East Street was awakened by smoke and discovered a fire in his basement. He went to the Kunkle residence next door (319) and called the Cumberland Fire Company. Upon arrival at the scene by the Cumberland engine, they pulled Box 41 at North and East Streets to summon help. The box did not work. The Union hearing the call responded on their own. The Union engine then called by radio to the dispatch center and requested the other Borough companies. The Cumberland engine hit the hydrant at Elm and East and layed in. They apparently drove to the scene and then went past it and laid back. The Union engine layed in from North and East Streets. This was the first major fire this engine went on as it was put in service September of 1960. The Goodwill engine was sleeved on the hydrant at Biddle Mission Park. It is unknown where the Friendship engine was at. There was no hydrant at Penn and East then. The hydrant system in those days was all 4” in that area. The big water main that now exists on North Street was put in during the reconstruction of E. North Street in 1964. A picture is included of the fire area as it looks today. The fire started at 317 N. East Street. The fire started in the basement and spread south to the 5 other attached row houses. The house at 319 was unattached. The houses were covered in ice with 317 and 315 really gutted. The next 4 had severe damage to the attics and water damage.

Borough Fire Chief – Ray Kelley
Assistant Borough Fire Chiefs – Paul Nicholson and Ben Beittel

Cumberland Foreman – George “Fat Pete” Peters
Union Foreman – Sam Otten
Friendship Foreman – Art Monismith
Good Will Foreman – Harry Breen
Empire Foreman – William Hartzell

Apparatus:

Cumberland – 1947 Ahrens-Fox 1000 G.P.M.
Union – 1961 American LaFrance 1000 G.P.M.
Friendship – 1953 Peter Pirsch 750 G.P.M.
Good Will – 1937 Seagrave 750 G.P.M.
Empire – 1953 American LaFrance 75’

Drivers:

Cumberland – Red Hays
Union – Merl Nace or Charlie "Hose Nose" Jacobs ?
Friendship – Laverne Baker
Good Will – Steele (?)
Empire – Dave Myers