Sunday, July 22, 2012

The July 3, 1938 Smith and Reifsnider fire caused serious concerns in Westminster


The July 3, 1938 Smith and Reifsnider fire caused serious concerns in Westminster


By Kevin E. Dayhoff kevindayhoff@gmail.com Sunday, July 22, 2012

Seventy years ago, Carroll County was still reeling from the aftermath of fireworks of an unwelcome variety - one of the biggest fires in the county’s history – the July 3, 1938 Smith and Reifsnider fire on John Street.

Ironically, today, the property where the fire occurred has been occupied by the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department since October 24, 1998.

On July 8, 1938, the now-out-of-print Democratic Advocate newspaper carried a front page story headlined by: “The Blaze Was of Incendiary Origin--Fear Was Entertained That the Fire Would Go To Main Street, But Was Confined to the Yard--16 Fire Departments With 19 Pieces of Apparatus Poured Tons of Water on the Blaze and Was Conquered After Three Hours' Battle--Several Firemen Overcome--Chief Brown and All Firemen Are commended for Their Heroic Accomplishment--The Loss is Heaviest in the County's History.”

The first paragraph of the news article immediately shows the concern of the community. It read “Westminster citizens had the scare of the their life time Saturday night when a fire from an incendiary origin was discovered in the lumber yard of Smith & Reifsnider, which caused an undetermined loss, but estimated at $125,000.”

At the time the company was solely owned by Mr. John L. Reifsnider, Jr. According the article, Mr. Reifsnider; fed the firefighters “sandwiches and coffee at the American Restaurant after the fire was brought under control.”

The first fire alarm was sounded at 11:45 p.m. by the night watchman John Baile and the two pieces of firefighting equipment, owned by the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department at the time, responded.

The fire department chief at the time was Leroy Brown. He immediately put in a call for additional help. Firefighters from Union Bridge, Hampstead; Manchester, Taneytown, Pleasant Valley, Sykesville, Emmitsburg, Catonsville, Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Glyndon, and Pikesville responded.

Union Bridge arrived in 14 minutes; slightly before Reisterstown, “who also broke all records for speed.” The newspaper estimated that more than 200 volunteers fought the flames, using an “estimated 17,000 feet fire hose…”

The article was also meticulous in reporting where each piece of firefighting apparatus obtained water. Hampstead arrived with two trucks which hooked-up at the railroad and Cover’s Stock Yards. Manchester “coupled up at Klee’s Garage...”

Chief Brown was praised for “his masterly generalship” in bringing the fire, “which was a raging furnace,” under control by 3 a.m.

“Every fireman fought as if it depended upon his life, knowing if the fire was not held in the lumber where it started the city was in for a big loss and would sweep to Main street. A high wind kept blowing the debris over the city and fear was entertained for the buildings in its path, but citizens protected their homes and buildings by pouring water on the roofs.”

Firefighting, to this day, remains dangerous business. It was certainly no different 70 years ago and the newspaper went to great lengths to report upon the firefighters who were injured fighting the blaze.

“William McCoy, a volunteer fireman from the Sykesville company, was overcome by smoke and burned about the face and hands. Dr. S. Luther Bare set up an emergency station and treated McCoy and the others. One fireman from the Hampstead company, suffered a broken nose and three others from the same company were burned … (O)ther firemen were treated for slight burns and returned to fight the blaze…”

The four Hampstead firefighters who were injured included Hampstead Fire Chief John W. Murray and "Bud" Arbaugh, who were overcome by smoke. Charles R. Williams and Oscar Armacost suffered cuts and bruises… and Stewart Thompson bruised.

The Maryland State Police “were rushed to the scene immediately to handle the traffic… One autoist was arrested when he ran his car over a line of hose… The reflection of Saturday night's fire brought people from York, Hanover, McSherrystown and Frederick. The crowd was estimated at about 5,000 that watched the firemen from the railroad tracks and surrounding points.”

To this day, the constant vigilance and protection of volunteer firefighters remains the same. Please keep the selfless public servants who protect us, in your prayers, as you celebrate a safe summer with friends and family.

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The firefighting equipment and ambulance are shown in this early 1930s Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 photograph from when the firehouse was located at 66 East Main Street. Much of the equipment displayed in this photograph may have been used to fight the July 3, 1938 Smith and Reifsnider fire. Photograph courtesy of the collection the Kevin Dayhoff and the Babylon Family. http://twitpic.com/aam2zr Also See: The July 3 1938 Smith & Reifsnider fire caused serious concerns in Westminster http://tinyurl.com/cscd8uq  -  http://www.westminstervfd.org/news/fullstory/news/Westminster%20Volunteer%20Fire%20Company%20fought%20Smith%20and%20Reifsnider%20fire%20on%20July%203,%201938
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Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

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