The July 3, 1938 Smith and Reifsnider fire caused serious
concerns in Westminster
Seventy years ago, Carroll County
was still reeling from the aftermath of fireworks of an unwelcome variety - one
of the biggest fires in the county’s history – the July 3, 1938 Smith and
Reifsnider fire on John Street.
Ironically, today, the property where the fire occurred has
been occupied by the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department since October 24,
1998.
On July 8, 1938, the now-out-of-print Democratic Advocate
newspaper carried a front page story headlined by: “The Blaze Was of Incendiary
Origin--Fear Was Entertained That the Fire Would Go To Main Street, But Was
Confined to the Yard--16 Fire Departments With 19 Pieces of Apparatus Poured
Tons of Water on the Blaze and Was Conquered After Three Hours' Battle--Several
Firemen Overcome--Chief Brown and All Firemen Are commended for Their Heroic
Accomplishment--The Loss is Heaviest in the County's History.”
The first paragraph of the news article immediately shows
the concern of the community. It read “Westminster citizens had the scare of
the their life time Saturday night when a fire from an incendiary origin was
discovered in the lumber yard of Smith & Reifsnider, which caused an
undetermined loss, but estimated at $125,000.”
At the time the company was solely owned by Mr. John L.
Reifsnider, Jr. According the article, Mr. Reifsnider; fed the firefighters “sandwiches
and coffee at the American Restaurant after the fire was brought under
control.”
The first fire alarm was sounded at 11:45 p.m. by the night
watchman John Baile and the two pieces of firefighting equipment, owned by the
Westminster Volunteer Fire Department at the time, responded.
The fire department chief at the time was Leroy Brown. He
immediately put in a call for additional help. Firefighters from Union Bridge,
Hampstead; Manchester, Taneytown, Pleasant Valley,
Sykesville, Emmitsburg, Catonsville, Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Glyndon, and Pikesville responded.
Union Bridge arrived in 14 minutes; slightly before Reisterstown, “who also broke all records for speed.” The
newspaper estimated that more than 200 volunteers fought the flames, using an “estimated
17,000 feet fire hose…”
The article was also meticulous in reporting where each
piece of firefighting apparatus obtained water. Hampstead arrived with two
trucks which hooked-up at the railroad and Cover’s Stock Yards. Manchester
“coupled up at Klee’s Garage...”
Chief Brown was praised for “his masterly generalship” in bringing
the fire, “which was a raging furnace,” under control by 3 a.m.
“Every fireman fought as if it depended upon his life,
knowing if the fire was not held in the lumber where it started the city was in
for a big loss and would sweep to Main street. A high wind kept blowing the
debris over the city and fear was entertained for the buildings in its path,
but citizens protected their homes and buildings by pouring water on the
roofs.”
Firefighting, to this day, remains dangerous business. It
was certainly no different 70 years ago and the newspaper went to great lengths
to report upon the firefighters who were injured fighting the blaze.
“William McCoy, a volunteer fireman from the Sykesville
company, was overcome by smoke and burned about the face and hands. Dr. S.
Luther Bare set up an emergency station and treated McCoy and the others. One
fireman from the Hampstead company, suffered a broken nose and three others
from the same company were burned … (O)ther firemen were treated for slight
burns and returned to fight the blaze…”
The four Hampstead firefighters who were injured included
Hampstead Fire Chief John W. Murray and "Bud" Arbaugh, who were
overcome by smoke. Charles R. Williams and Oscar Armacost suffered cuts and
bruises… and Stewart Thompson bruised.
The Maryland State Police “were rushed to the scene
immediately to handle the traffic… One autoist was arrested when he ran his car
over a line of hose… The reflection of Saturday night's fire brought people from
York, Hanover,
McSherrystown and Frederick. The crowd was estimated at about 5,000 that watched
the firemen from the railroad tracks and surrounding points.”
To this day, the constant vigilance and protection of
volunteer firefighters remains the same. Please keep the selfless public
servants who protect us, in your prayers, as you celebrate a safe summer with
friends and family.
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