HOLIDAY FIRE DESTROYS WICONISCO STORE
Fire which was started by backfire of an automobile engine shortly before six o’clock, last Friday evening destroyed the store and dwelling of the Forman Brothers and an adjoining home owned by LaFayette Davis, in Wiconisco.
Meyer Forman and Harry Forman operate stores in Wiconisco and Lykens. The former brother and his family reside in the Wiconisco property. Mr. Forman had returned home and driven the car in the garage. The backfire of the car ignited a pile of waste and the blaze quickly spread.
Forman’s clothing caught fire when he battled the flames and he ran to the dwelling for help. His wife and daughter, Florence, extinguished his burning clothing. The blaze spread rapidly to the garage and home.
The Wiconisco Fire Company soon saw the need for help and called on companies from Orwin, Tower City, Williamstown, Lykens, Gratz, Elizabethville and Millersburg, all of whom responded. Lack of water hampered the firemen however, who laid hose lines to the mines of the Susquehanna Collieries Company, the Wiconisco Creek, and another nearby stream.
Owners and residents of nearby houses carried much of their household goods to the street and kept the roofs damp, to prevent damage from sparks. A number of these however were slightly damaged and scorched, while the window panes of others were broken by the intense heat.
A warehouse, with stored furniture, smaller outbuildings on the Forman property, and two automobiles were also burned. One of the cars was a gift to a daughter, Florence, who was wed to David Peril at Wilkes-Barre the following day. Other outbuildings on the properties of Davis and Elizabeth Driscoll were also burned.
The total loss is estimated at close to $100,000. Formans claim a loss of $80,000 part of which is covered by insurance.
Mr. Forman received burns of his arms and legs which are not serious and Charles Williams, was thrown to his back while fighting the fire, but was not injured. The last of the flames were quenched shortly after midnight.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 10 July 1930, via Newspapers.com.
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