The front page of the Lykens Standard, July 11, 1930, with banner headline, “$80,000 BLAZE IN WICONISCO JULY 4.”
The story that accompanied the headline follows here:
Forman Store, Dwelling And Stock Complete Loss; Davis Property Damaged By Flames
Eight Fire Companies Fight Blaze; Saving the Botdorf Novelty Store On West Side
A fire which without doubt stands out as one of the most destructive in this section for many years, occurred at 7:20 o’clock in the combined store and dwelling of Mayers Forman, Wiconisco, in which the complete stock of furniture, floor covering, general merchandise and the large frame structure was completely destroyed, reaching an estimated loss of more than $80,000; $28,800 of which is covered by insurance.
The home of Lafayette Davis, adjoining the Forman property, the closest structure, was damaged considerable by fire and water. The coverage of $4,000 insurance is expected will completely adjust the sustained loss. It requiring considerable time for the fire to reach the Davis property from the rear of the Forman store, all the furniture was removed and placed in nearby homes. At this writing, Mr. Davis was unable to place a figure of loss, it being put in the hands of a local contractor for estimate.
Having spent an enjoyable day of celebration July 41th [1930], Mr. Forman and his family were preparing to attend a theatre. His daughter having request him to place a new Buick coupe in the family garage, which was situated in the rear of the establishment, Mr. Forman drove the car in the garage and proceeded to back it into place. The motor having functioned peculiarly for several days, it was noticed upon backing into the garage, the motor persisted to backfire. Not sensing any danger the car was finally placed and upon stepping from the car, Mr. Forman noticed a small blaze from several accumulated clothes in the rear of the garage and set afire from the backfire of the car he just completed backing into the garage.
Going immediately to the then small blaze, he attempted to smother the fire with his foot. Before realizing what had happened his trousers were aflame and before they could be extinguished he sustained burns of the legs and hands.
Suffering severe pain and upon turning his attention once more to the burning clothes, he was astonished to see flames leaping from the floor boards of the coupe he had placed in the garage a few minutes before.
Rushing from the garage to the alley he requested a nearby neighbor to summon the town fire department, after which he made his way with smoldering clothing to the living quarters of the the home, who promptly conveyed him to a physician where his injuries were dressed.
Upon the arrival of the Wiconisco fire company, the first company to reach the scene, the fire had gained considerable headway, presumably because of the inflammable character of the stores stock.
The fire rapidly raining headway it was deemed advisable to call surrounding companies, to which call the fire departments of Tower City, Orwin, Elizabethville, Millersburg and Gratz promptly responded.
Water was played on the flaming structure which upon the connecting of several fire hose had completely enveloped the entire rear of the building.
Altho valiant work was accomplished by all attending companies, the fire rapidly spread until the entire building with the exception of the front of the dwelling, was a seething mass of flames.
Not until all the flames were leaping from the large show windows in the front of the store more than thirty feet and reaching in the air higher than the building, did the numerous streams playing on the building seem to retard their progress.
Slowly the brilliant light from the fire which was in progress more than two hours, began to diminish and a secure feeling that the blaze was under control was generally felt.
Beside the building and Forman stock, the Buick coupe which was responsible for the blaze, a large truck use in the furniture business and costing $3,000 less than two years ago were also a complete loss.
A garage and other outbuildings on the property of Miss Elizabeth Driscoll, at the rear of the Forman property were burned to the ground. Other buildings nearby were also lost.
House roofs in the neighborhood were kept wet to prevent sparks from spreading the fire, which at one time threatened so dangerously that the stock and belongings were taken from the store of John Batdorf and the home of Nelson Zerfing, adjoining the burning store.
With a huge mass of smoldering embers after the flames were definitely extinguished, it was thought advisable that firemen with ready hose at their disposal remain on duty during the night, should the blaze start anew among the debris. The services of the men who remained on duty were quickly and willingly offered, the supervision over which was in the hands of the Wiconisco fire company.
During the fire and following the unfortunate happening, much criticism was heard concerning inadequate water supply. This cannot be questioned by the writer, altho during an interview with Supt. W. B. Geise, Tuesday… we were advised that the… from which Wiconisco… water supply was… fire alarm sounded… in that condition during… placed a man in the pump station north of this borough to adequately fill that part of the task. We were also advised by Mr. Geise the reduction valve placed in the Wiconisco main for the purpose of reducing pressure during the normal use of water, was thrown open five minutes following the sounding of the fire alarm. According to Mr. Geise, Wiconisco‘s water pressure with the valve in operation is 110 lbs. and opened is 130 lbs. [Note: The first few sentences of this paragraph are incomplete due to a missing piece of the paper from which this article was obtained].
Altho a large safe kept in the Forman store was in the midst of the blaze during the duration of the fire, all the store records were removed the next morning in comparatively god condition. A Philco radio which stood in the fire, partly burned and water soaked, was removed the next morning, stood in the engine room of the Wiconisco hose house and after thoroughly dried was connected to the light circuit, played as usual, apparently none the worse from the heat.
Until a permanent building can be effected on the site occupied by the destroyed structure, Mr. Forman will in the near future open temporary quarters. He is at present transacting business and wishes to announce to his many friends he will under the circumstances strive to give the same courteous service as has been his custom in past business years.
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The story was also covered in the Harrisburg Telegraph, July 5, 1930:
$100,000 FIRE SWEEPS WICONISCO BUSINESS CENTER
Warehouse, Store, Garage and Dwellings Burn After Explosion
A fire which took close to $100,000 toll in the business section of Wiconisco was brought under control shortly after 10 o’clock last night. The fire was caused by the bursting of a tank in the garage underneath the Forman Brothers’ store.
The large building, which housed a store and garage and adjoins a large warehouse, was destroyed by the fire.
The following business places were burned: warehouse, store and garage, all three owned by Myers Forman and John Forman, brothers.
Two homes and three smaller buildings also went up in smoke.
The home of John Forman, which adjoins the store, was badly damaged, as was that of Lafayette Davis, nearby.
Fire Fighters Hampered
Lack of water hampered the work of the fire fighters. Hose lines were pieced together and water was drawn from a creek almost a quarter of a mile away.
Charles Williams, a Wiconisco fireman, who was fighting the fire, was knocked down when a large gasoline tank blew up. He was un-injured.
Girl Drives car to Safety
One of four cars in the garage owned by Myers Forman, was saved. His daughter, Alice Forman, was at the wheel and drove through flying sparks, narrowly escaping injury.
Firemen From Eight Towns
Firemen from eight up-county towns gathered to fight the rapidly spreading blaze. Apparatus from Lykens, Tower City, Williamstown, Millersburg, Gratz, Elizabethville and Orwin was on the scene.
Wet Down Roofs
Roofs of nearby houses were kept wet to prevent the spread of the blaze. The stock was partially removed from the store of John Batdorf, nearby, and the home of John Zerfing, which adjoined the burning store.
Auto Backfire Probable Cause
Firemen are of the belief that the backfiring of an automobile was the direct cause of the blaze. A gasoline tank was, they think, ignited therefrom.
Furniture and household furnishings of all kinds are handled at the Forman store.
The garage was underneath the store.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, July 10, 1930:
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 waster 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 Forman extinguished his burning clothing. The blaze spread quickly 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 Forman, who was wed to David Peril at Wilkes-Barre the following day. Other outbuildings on the property of LaFayette Davis and Elizabeth Driscoll were also burned.
The total loss is estimated at close to $100,000. Forman claims 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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News articles from Newspapers.com.
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