Springfield firefighters saved Myers Hall at Wittenberg University from a prank gone awry in the early 20th Century, according to the Spring 2001 edition of Wittenberg Magazine.
The late Rev. Willard Hackenberg, Class of 1901, recalled that two students set fire to coal bins at the rear of the dorm:
“What a fire that was! Think of the many tons of coal that were burned. ... The Springfield Fire Department came with great force, but because the water pressure was so low, all the firemen could do was protect the dorm.
"They had to allow the coal and the bins to burn, using all the water on hand to keep the very hot flames from reaching the most important building.” The article didn't mention the date of the fire.
