KING BUILDING - 1956

 

Photos: Wikipedia

Night of raging flames (top) and morning after (below)

On Sept. 15, 1956, a roaring fire engulfed the King Building at 21 South Fountain Ave. in Springfield, Ohio. The King Building was located between the State Theater and the Arcue Building in the heart of downtown. Fire division ladder pipes and master streams propelled cascades of water on the flames breaching the roof and arched-facade. The King Building was owned by the family of Robert Quigley King, who served as Springfield's fire chief from 1879 until 1891.  

RESCUE 1

In 2020, the Springfield Fire Rescue Division placed new Rescue 1 in service - with a ceremonial shove - and retired old Rescue 1, which served the city for 22 years. Rescue 1 is based at Fire Station No. 1 on North Fountain Avenue. 

WOODFORD DRIVE - 2021

Photos: Springfield Fire Rescue Division

Incident report from Springfield Fire Rescue Division Facebook page: "Just after noon on 8/8/21, C Unit was dispatched to 2810 Woodford on a report of a house fire. Responding companies were E5, E7, T4, R1, M4, and Battalion 1. First due companies found heavy fire venting out both the front and back of the house. A transitional attack was started in an attempt slow the fire's progress, but when companies tried to make entry for an interior attack, they found the building was already collapsing inside. All personnel were withdrawn and a defensive strategy was used, with multiple hand lines and the ladder pipe from T4."

FIRST MOTORIZED RIG

Post card of Springfield's first motorized fire engine. The firefighter seated closest to the camera appears to be Fire Chief Samuel Hunter.

PUPPY RESCUE - 1973

 

Firefighters Mike Rucker, Jim Powell. Glenn Caudill, Capt. Bill Murphy (left to right) and Barney at old Fire Station No. 9 in Springfield, Ohio in July 1973

On July 19, 1973, Barney, a curious beagle puppy, wedged himself in an old milk can. Members of the Springfield Fire Division carefully freed him - proving man is a dog's best friend.

The firefighters at old Fire Station No. 9 - at 17 West State Street - first punched a hole in the can so the puppy could get some fresh air. Then tried cooking oil to slide his head. Finally, they went with a metal cutter.

Firefighters Mike Rucker, Jim Powell. Glenn Caudill and Capt. Bill Murphy performed the tender extrication.

These photos from the Springfield News & Sun were transmitted to newspapers across the U.S. by the Associated Press. They were shared with the Springfield Fire Journal by retired Lt. Dave Aills of Rescue Company 1.

LARCH STREET - 2020

Photos: Springfield Fire Rescue Division

Incident report from Springfield Fire Rescue Division Facebook page:

"Just before 0100 on 6/11/2020, B unit was dispatched to 2100 Larch St. on a report of a fire in this building, which was originally built as the Hoppes Manufacturing Co. over 120 years ago. The building now housed a pallet manufacturing factory. First arriving companies found heavy fire already venting through the roof and before it was over, the fire went to a third alarm. Responding companies were E3, E6, E7, T4, T8, R1, M4, M6, Battalion 1, Chief 1, Chief 2, Chief 3, Marshal 1, and Box 27 Associates. The factory building itself was heavily damaged, with only a small part being saved. Larch St is very narrow, and directly across the street is an older residential neighborhood. Many of the houses along Larch suffered radiant heat damage, but quick actions by R1 and T8 on the D side of the factory provided exposure protection hose lines to these homes, and kept them from igniting as well."

SIGNAL 3

 

Photo: Springfield Fire Division 

"Signal 3" was the Springfield Fire Division radio call for a working fire. Judging by the equipment on the scene this could have been a second alarm assignment. Date and address unknown. Probably late 1950s.

HOUSE FIRE -1951

Photo: Springfield Fire Division

Aftermath of April 15, 1951 house fire at 1304-1308 S. Yellow Springs Street in Springfield, identified as the Burke residence. We have no idea what the fireman is holding opposite of his pail. It certainly looks scorched.

COMMAND STAFF - 1905

Photo: Springfield Fire Division

This is the Springfield Fire Division's command staff in 1905 with Fire Chief Samuel Hunter at center. The top and bottom roses are the captains of the city's fire stations - No.1 to No. 8. On the right of Hunter is the superintendent of the fire alarm telegraph system. On Hunter's left is the superintendent of machinery.