A photograph of the rear of the area which once contained several structures on Pottsville Avenue, Wiconisco, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, that were destroyed fire an early morning fire, December 10, 1964. The photo first appeared in the Pottsville Republican of that same date, which indicated that “dense smoke from smoldering ruins completely obliterates firemen on scene.”
A second photo, also appearing the the Pottsville Republican, was captioned:
CHURCH STILL STANDS
Almost miraculously, the Wiconisco Methodist Church is virtually unscarred after fire destroyed buildings adjacent to it. One of the structures destroyed had been formerly used as the parish parsonage.
The Elizabethville Echo used the Republican photo for its December 17, 1964 coverage, with a slightly different caption:
Pictured above is the Wiconisco Methodist Church which suffered relatively minor damage (estimated $4,000) as fire totally destroyed adjacent buildings, including a dwelling which formerly was the Methodist parsonage during the early morning hours last Thursday.
The most comprehensive news article on the fire is from the Pottsville Republican, December 10, 1964:
3 WICONISCO FAMILIES LOSE HOMES IN FIRE
Eleven members of three families were made homeless today when a fire which broke out early this morning leveled their homes and destroyed virtually all of their possessions.
The fire was discovered in the early morning hours and firemen were summoned about 3:30 a. m. Responding to the call of help were members and apparatus of the Lykens, Williamstown, and Elizabethville companies – as well as Wiconisco firemen.
Although there were about 75 firemen at the scene, the blaze had too much of a start and it was impossible to save the burning structures. Firemen were able to prevent flames from spreading to other homes on Pottsville Street.
Intense heat from the fire made the volunteers’ job difficult, precluding them from getting too close to the blaze. The heat also caused damage to several homes on the opposite side of the street, about 65 feet away, scorching the fronts of the structures.
The blaze is believed to have started in the former Wiconisco Methodist Church parsonage, which had been rented out by the church, since the pastor resides in Tower City. Living in the former parsonage had been Mr. and Mrs. Roy Reedinger and their two children, while the other half of the building served as the residence of Mr. and Mrs. William Reedinger.
Adjacent to the structure was a grocery store and residence owned by John Riegel, who resided there with his wife and three children. This structure was also completely destroyed by the fire.
According to Fire Chief George Michaels, the Wiconisco company was to remain at the scene throughout the day to keep watering down the area. As he spoke heavy columns of smoke spiraled above the leveled buildings. The assisting groups had departed at 7 a. m. after it had been ascertained that other area buildings were not in danger.
Although the parish church is situated in very close proximity to the former parsonage, very little damage was done to it. Initial investigations found that some of the lead in the stained glass windows had melted, but that the windows had not cracked; other than the presence of some smoke, nothing else was found wrong with the church building.
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The Elizabethville Echo of December 17, 1964, gave a report specific to the Elizabethville Reliance Fire Company, plus two appreciation notices:
RELIANCE PUMPS HALF MILE
Reliance Fire Company pumped water nearly half a mile to the site of last Thursday’s fire in Wiconisco, which left three families homeless in its wake.
Summoned at 4:00 a. m., Reliance firefighters stayed on the scene until nearly 8 a. m., when the blaze was brought under control.
The two Elizabethville pumpers employed 2250 feet of hose, supplying water from Bear Creek, better known as “Sulphur Creek.”
Answering the alarm were Fire Chief Charles Wertz, Jack Wertz, Don Deibler, Ken Deibler, John Hentz, Larry Snody, Paul Deibler, Lester Weida, Terry Koppenhaver, Bruce Troutman, Ken Rose Jr., Donald Shadle, Horace Schwartz, Donald Shadle, William Youells, Horace Schwartz Jr., William Yoells, Newton Wertz, Nelson Koppenhaver, and Ellard Reigel.
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APPRECIATION
The Trustees, Officers and members of the Wiconisco Methodist Church want to thank the Firemen of Wiconisco, Lykens, Williamstown and Elizabethville for their prompt response in a time of great need. Signed — Mrs. Harper Hochlander, Recording Secretary and Trustee.
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APPRECIATION
We wish to thank the Elizabethville, Wiconisco, Williamstown and Lykens Fire Companies for saving our home during the recent fire in Wiconisco. Signed – Mr. and Mrs. Robert Koppenhaver.
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Photo and news articles from Newspapers.com and from Liberty Hose Company No. 2 (Lykens), where additional information can be found under Incident Report.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.