Massillon Fire Department History Part 3

Dense black smoke attracted several thousand spectators, who braved the cold and watched, as it took firemen
over four hours to extinguish the fire. The Style Center store was a total loss, and there was smoke and water
damage to the Kerby Shoe Store, 154 Lincoln Way West, J. L. Fromholtz Jewelry, 162 Lincoln Way West and
Davis Brothers Café, 168 Lincoln Way West. Fire had extended into the Davis apartment above the café, and
fearing the fire would spread to the entire block of buildings, Chief Earle ordered the Weslin Theater, 140 Lincoln
Way West, evacuated of its 350 patrons, and the apartments above the Arcade Market, 152 Lincoln Way West were
evacuated. A dollar loss was not made pending an investigation by the insurance company. The State Highway
Patrol assisted Massillon Police with crowd control, and the Salvation Army was on hand with refreshments.
January 18, 1951. In the annual report for 1950, Fire Chief Ray Earle reported that the Department responded to
267 fire calls during the year, with 1950 having the lowest number of calls for many years. Total calls for 1949
were 335. Estimated fire loss for 1950 was $186,360. The Chief again stressed the need for additional personnel,
recommending that the strength of the Department be increased to thirty men. This would permit assigning sixteen
firemen to central, and seven each at number two and three stations.
March 24, 1951, a new Motorola VHF high band, two-way radio system was put in service after undergoing
extensive testing. The City can now say it has one of the first two-way radio communication systems in service by a
city of comparable size in the country. The system includes two portable "walkie-talkie" units that firemen can
carry for communications with the mobile units, and remote control base stations at police headquarters and central
fire station. Radios have been installed in the fire department’s three pumpers, Disaster Unit, chief's car and the
truck used by City Electrician Ivan Getz.
No. 3 Station - (Ret. Chief Tom Matthews’s photo)
On Monday August 8, 1951, new number three
fire station on Wales Road at Kendal Avenue NE,
went into service at 7:00AM, after official
dedication ceremonies two days earlier (Saturday).
The new building was turned over to and accepted
by Mayor S. Robert (Junie) Weirich from Stanford
Reams, vice president of the general contractor,
Brown Construction Company. After the
ceremonies, an open house was held and attended by
a large number of visitors who were asked to sign
the official logbook of the station. The building has
two apparatus bays with electrically operated
overhead doors, and a hose dryer capable of drying
five hundred feet of fire hose at a time. South of off
the apparatus bays, is a dormitory with individual
lockers and a bathroom with shower. North off the
bays is a kitchen with individual food lockers, a
dayroom and Captain's office. In the middle of the
tiled dayroom floor in large letters is; MFD No. 3.
The building is heated with a gas fired hot water
boiler, and the exterior is red brick with white trim.
An innovative feature of the station is an automatic
system that turns on the interior lights when a Box
alarm is received. The building cost $47,900 without
furnishings and equipment, and replaces a building
located at 715 State Street NE that was constructed
in 1906.
August 11, 1951. A new boat and motor was
purchased by the Massillon Chapter of the American
Red Cross, for use by the Disaster Unit operated by
the Massillon Fire Department. The new fourteenfoot boat is all aluminum, powered by a seven horsepower outboard motor, with grappling hooks, and tools. It will
be towed to the scene when needed for a water rescue, in any of the sixteen Townships of Western Stark County.
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CHIEF EARLE RESIGNS
October 15, 1951. Fire Chief Raymond H. Earle submitted his resignation to Safety-Service Director John
Young. A member of the Department since 1935, he was appointed Chief in January 1943. In his letter of
resignation, Chief Earle announced that he had accepted an executive position with the Harper Manufacturing
Company in Maumee, Ohio. The letter also stated that the reason he had sought other employment was the wage
discrepancy he had previously discussed with City officials. Several weeks ago, Chief Earle, 42, had requested a
six-month leave of absence that was denied by the City. Mayor S. Robert Weirich and Director Young accepted
Chief Earle’s resignation with regret. Before leaving for Maumee, a party was held at central fire station honoring
Chief Earle. At that party, firemen presented him with a badge making him an Honorary Chief of the Massillon Fire
Department. It is believed that this is the only time in the history of the Department that this was done. Chief Earle
had retired to South Carolina, where he passed away on February 10, 2006 at the age of 96.
December 1, 1951. Captain Donald E. Simon was
named Chief of the Massillon Fire Department, after
achieving the highest score on an examination given by the
Massillon Civil Service Commission. Chief Simon, a
member of the Department since 1940, is a life resident of
the City, a graduate of the Massillon School System, and
attended Wooster College. Prior to joining the fire
department, he had been employed at the Eaton
Manufacturing Company for eleven years. At age fifteen,
he was seriously burned in an explosion that destroyed his
Tremont Avenue SW home, which killed his parents and
grandmother. He has been secretary of the Massillon Fire
Pension Fund the past five years, and Department
Drillmaster the past four years.
Chief Donald Simon with 1950 Chevrolet car - (Bob Studer photo)
December 6, 1951. The fifty-six hour workweek approved by the voters at the general election November 6, 1951
went into effect. It replaced the seventy-two hour week schedule firemen had previously worked. The reduction in
hours required that the Department be divided into three platoons rather than two as in the past. This created less on
duty staffing. The City discussed keeping the Department on the two platoon system and paying firemen overtime,
at time and a half for the additional sixteen hours a week they were working. Mayor Weirich estimated it would
cost $1,000 for overtime to pay the twenty-two members of the Department to do this for the remainder of the year.
The City was unable to find the funds necessary to pay the overtime. This left the City with but one option, close a
fire station. It was decided to close the [new] No. 3 Station on Wales Road NE, that had only been open for a few
months. The reasoning behind this decision was that No. 2 Station on Tremont Avenue SW, provided protection to
the residential and industrial plants located in the southwest and northwest sections of the City. On December 6,
1951 at 7:00AM, No. 3 Station was closed for an indefinite period, and a sign prominently displayed notifying the
public of the same. The pumper was relocated to No. 2 Station where it was to be used as a reserve truck. Personnel
from the closed station were reassigned to the other two stations to ensure that there would be five on duty at central,
and two at No. 2 Station on all three platoons. Department officers advised council, that the City would have to hire
five additional firemen before No. 3 Station could be reopened.
January 25, 1952. City Council appropriated funds that would permit hiring five additional firemen to the
Department, and the appointment of three new Captains. All of the above would take place February 1, 1952. With
these additions, No. 3 Station was scheduled to be reopened on February 16, 1952. The new Captains are; Sheridan
(Tut) Johnson, Ralph Hansen and Arvine Ricosky. The new firemen are; Richard Ielsch, George Fellabom, Walter
Shafrath, Courtney Urban and Virgil Edie.
June 25, 1952, the bell tower at central fire station on Charles Avenue SE was being torn down. The structure
that also served as a hose-drying tower, high enough that fifty-foot sections of hose could be hung full length. The
top had deteriorated, and since the bell was no longer used to receive alarms, it was decided to take the tower down
to a level just a few feet above the roofline. Wet hose now needed to be double-hung to be dried in the tower.
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Several years earlier when the fire alarm system had been upgraded, the tower bells at all three-fire houses had
been silenced, and replaced with ten inch “gongs” in all stations. A controversy arose when the company doing the
demolition, S. H. Tuber, of Wickliffe, Ohio, claimed ownership of the “tower bell.” The contract with the Tuber
Company gave them the right to keep any salvageable material from the tower, however gave the City the right to
keep any “regular equipment” of the fire station. It was estimated that the bell had a scrap price of a few hundred
dollars. The bell had been part of the station since its construction in 1893, and was recast in Baltimore Maryland in
1930 after it had developed a large crack. The City prevailed, and the bell was moved to City Hall Park where it
remains today, next to the Massillon Museum (in 2006).
July 21, 1952, layoff notices were sent to the five additional firemen appointed February 1, 1952, and the three
Captains promoted at that time, were notified that they would be reduced in rank back to fireman (see January 25,
1952 for names). Both actions were to be effective August 31, 1952. City Council took this action as an economy
measure. Council was made aware that due to this action, one of the two outside fire stations would have to be
closed. Neither Fire Chief Don Simon nor Safety Director John Young would reveal which station would be closed.
August 15, 1952, City Council unanimously voted to repeal the layoff notices and rank reductions previously
ordered for August 31, 1952. City Auditor Norman Putman disclosed that anticipated shortage of more than
$21,000 would probably be offset by revenue increases and that the City could use $7,000 from the contingency
fund to make up the difference.
April 28, 1953, Progressive Chevrolet was awarded the contract for a new red 1953 Chevrolet 4-door sedan for
use by the fire chief. Their bid was $900, with a trade in of $900 for the 1950 Chevrolet currently in use by the
chief.
The end of Capt. Harold Boerners “writings”
April 28, 1953.
Finefrock
Wallace Motor Company was
awarded the contract for a 1953 oneton Dodge Power Wagon cab and
chassis for $2,368.92.
The fire
department then installed the body,
tank and new 500 gallon per minute
American-Marsh front mount pump.
The hose bed was removed from the
1927 Seagrave Suburbanite chassis,
that was then scrapped. Minuteman
Harold Studer, of Studer’s Tin Shop
at 1248-17th SW, fabricated a 200gallon, 18-8 stainless steel tank.
Massillon
Republic
Steel
Corporation
furnished
the
ENDURO® stainless steel at no cost
to the City, in a deal struck by Chief
Don Simon and management at
Republic. It was delivered with
single rear wheels, but duals soon
added to facilitate off road use. The
truck was used primarily to respond to grass and vehicle fires. It replaced the 1933 Diamond-T that was sold to the
Village of Navarre, who still owns it, (in 2006).
July 20, 1954. At 4:25PM, pumpers one and two, the Disaster Unit and aerial, responded to Union Drawn Steel,
401 Rose Avenue SE. Upon arrival, they found fire through the roof of Plant II, located at the extreme east end of
the plant complex, just west of Sixteenth Street SE. The fire was confined an area approximately 180 x 100 feet in
the 600 foot long building. Production equipment appeared not to be damaged, but the plant was closed for a twoweek vacation shutdown when the fire occurred. Twenty regular firemen and five minutemen worked for almost
three hours to extinguish the blaze. Chief Don Simon estimated the loss at $50,000, but a cause was not listed.
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December 30, 1954. At 5:39PM, pumpers one and three
and the Disaster Unit responded to Massillon Auto Parts,
1930 Lincoln Way East. Upon arrival, they found the
building fully involved. All off duty firemen were recalled,
bringing the total number of regular firemen to thirty and
three minutemen, who fought the fire in a blinding snowstorm
for two hours. The interior of the single story brick building
was gutted. Two sports cars in the lower level were saved
except for minor water damage. Damage was estimated at
$30,000 and the cause was under investigation.
1956. Chief Don Simon received a new Plymouth station
wagon. It was of course all red, and replaced the 1953
Chevrolet sedan.
Massillon Auto Parts - 1945 Seagrave “at work”- (Inde photo)
August 15, 1957 at 2:30PM, the Power-Wagon responded to a report of a grass fire on the south side of Oak
Avenue SE at Independence Street. Upon arrival the fire was found to be in a dump at that location, and a full
response was requested with pumpers one and two responding. The fire created large amounts of black smoke and
was very difficult to extinguish. Off duty firemen were called in to provide relief for those at the fire and man the
stations. A backhoe was called in, and the Department was on the scene for two days. September 11, 1957 at
9:05PM, pumpers one and two, the DU and aerial responded to Massillon Spring and Rivet, 132 Walnut Road SW.
Fire was found to be burning up high on the underside of the roof. Several two and a half inch hose lines were
advanced into the building, and the fire was extinguished without incident.
October 9, 1957 at 2AM, a fire in the downtown area of the City seriously damaged the studios of Radio Station
WTIG, 46 Erie Street S. The radio station was located on the second floor of a building at the southeast corner of
Diamond Court and Erie Street S. It was feared the fire would spread to other buildings in the block, but firemen
were able to confine it to the radio station. Damage was estimated at $45,000. Blatz Shoe Store occupied the first
floor and received smoke and water damage.
1958. A new red Ford half-ton pickup truck was purchased for use by the Heating Inspector, replacing a 1949
Chevrolet half-ton pickup. The truck also served as a utility vehicle on occasion. The rank of Platoon Captain was
created, and they were to be in-charge of their respective shifts, and would assume command in the absence of the
Chief. Those appointed to the new position were; Captains Charles Stranger, Harold Zimmer and Ralph Hansen.
While responding to a fire call, the engine in No. 2’s 1941 Seagrave pumper “blew up.” The department mechanic
removed the drive train, including the engine, transmission, transfer case and pump from the chassis. It was put in a
City dump truck and taken to the Seagrave Corporation in Columbus, OH. for repair. The drive train was rebuilt in
less than a week, returned to the City, and the Department mechanic replaced it in the chassis. The pumper served
the City for seven more years.
May 14, 1959. Fireman Charles Snyder (49) died after suffering a heart attack while on duty at No. 3 Station.
He died just a few minutes after arriving at Massillon City Hospital, and the second fireman to die in the line of
duty.
March 16, 1960 at 3:40AM, Firemen at Central Station were awakened by the sound of an explosion in the
downtown area, and were waiting for an alarm. Engines, one, two, the DU, and aerial responded the City Club, 31
Federal Avenue NW. Upon arrival, the two-story building was found to be fully involved. A general alarm was
immediately ordered recalling all off duty firemen. The building and business owned by Gus Peters, was a total loss
with damage to cars in the used car lot west of the building. The fire was thought to have been connected with Mr.
Peter's “underworld” ties; however, those responsible were never caught. Damage was estimated at $135,000.
July 25, 1961 at 11:39PM, pumpers one, two, the DU, and aerial responded to Walt Green Tire, 233 First Street
SW. The building was located directly behind the Workingman’s Store, the Southwest corner of Tremont and Oak
Street SW. Fire was found to be in the second floor of the two-story building where tires were stored. As with
most tire fires, the fire was hot and smoky. Hose lines were advanced into the building and the fire extinguished
without incident.
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July 1961. The Department received
its first new Class A triple combination
pumper in over fifteen years. A 1961
Seagrave custom, canopy cab forward
1000 GPM pumper was delivered from
the factory in Columbus, Ohio. It was
powered by an 817 cubic inch, 300
horsepower Waukesha gasoline engine,
a standard transmission, 1000 GPM
Seagrave two-stage pump, and 300gallon booster tank.
Total cost,
including a full load of hose was
$27,500. This was the last Seagrave
bought by Massillon that was built
entirely in Columbus, Ohio. It was
assigned to Central Station, the 1941
Seagrave 750GPM canopy-cab was reassigned from
Central to No. 2 Station, and the 1941 Seagrave 750
GPM, three-man cab [at No. 2 Station] was put in
reserve at No. 3 Station.
1962. A one-ton Chevrolet Step-Van was
purchased by the City to replace the 1950 Chevrolet
DU panel truck owned by the American Red Cross.
Painted white over red, Chief Don Simon renamed it
the "EMERGENCY SQUAD,” the same as the old
1929 hearse that Department first used to respond to
emergencies. It was equipped with the first
“electronic siren” in the City, and the “new sound”
attracted much attention when responding to calls.
1962 Chevrolet Emergency Squad →
1963. A 1963 Chevrolet all red four-door sedan was purchased for the fire chief,
replacing the 1956 Plymouth station wagon.
Lee Furniture fire - from Tremont and Erie SW - (courtesy Museum)
July 27, 1963 at 6:11PM,
an alarm was received
from Box 235, Tremont
Avenue, and Erie Street
South. Engines one, two,
the Emergency Squad
(ES)
and
aerial
responded, and found heavy smoke coming from the
upper floors of the three story Lee Furniture Company
on the northeast corner [S. Erie and Tremont SW]. A
general alarm was sounded, bringing all available off
duty men and the reserve pumper. As with most
serious fires in the older downtown area, it was feared
the fire would spread to the entire block. Exterior
streams and a ladder pipe from the 65’ aerial were put
in operation, with hose lines advanced into the
building via a fire escape on the south end of the
building. The fire was extinguished, but as overhaul was being done, the roof collapsed, striking several firemen
working on the third floor, however none were seriously injured. Loss was estimated at $40,000. A new roof was
put on the building, and it is still in use today, (in 2006).
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August 31, 1963. Captain Walter Kritzer retired from the Department. "Cap" had served the City for over fortysix years, a record that still stands today. An excellent fireman till the day he retired, he was respected and very well
liked. Unfortunately, he only lived a few years after retirement, and his funeral was well attended by both active and
1965 Seagrave 1000 at Central - (Bob Studer photo)
retired members of the Department.
March 1965. Another Seagrave 1000 GPM
pumper was delivered from Seagrave. This pumper
was almost an exact twin to the 1961 [in-service at
Central Station], however one big difference was this
truck had an “electronic siren speaker” mounted in
the cab front, where the 1961 had a Federal "Q". It
cost $32,000, and was assigned to No. 2 Station.
Construction on this truck was started at the [old]
Columbus Ohio factory, but was completed in the
Clintonville Wisconsin plant, as FWD had purchased
Seagrave. It replaced the 1941, 750GPM canopycab Seagrave, which was put in reserve at No. 3
Station.
The 1941, 750GPM three-man cab
Seagrave (in reserve), was sold to Marshallville VFD for $600. A Dodge window van
was purchase for use by the fire prevention bureau.
August 7, 1965 at 11:55PM, Engines one, three, the ES and 65’ aerial responded to
Pelosi's Pizza, 723 Eighth Street NE, southwest corner of Eighth and State Street NE,
directly east of old [1907] No. 3 Station. The two-story building had for years housed
Bordner's Grocery, and was well involved. An exterior attack was made including the
sixty-five foot aerial as a water tower. Chief Simon thanked members of the Massillon
Radio Club who helped at the fire, and helped put the trucks back in-service after the
fire. The building was a total loss and razed. (Interior of Pelosi’s after the fire - (Inde photo)
March 1966. A Ford F-250 three-quarter ton cab and chassis was
purchased from Waikem Ford to replace the Dodge Power-Wagon. The
pump, body and tank was removed from the Power-Wagon, and put on
the Ford chassis by the Department Mechanic. The Ford chassis had a
single rear axle, and was overloaded, so wide, 16x10 inch tires were
retrofitted to provide better off-road traction. The Power-Wagon chassis
was transferred to the Street Department where a dump bed was installed,
serving there for several more years. Summer 1966, the rear wall of the
west apparatus bay at No. 2 Station was removed, and the bay lengthened
into the area that once were the horse stables. The bay would now be long
enough to accommodate the 1941, 65’ aerial truck that would soon be put
in reserve and housed there, when the new 85-foot aerial was delivered. The windows in the second floor dormitory
were also replaced with smaller aluminum windows
at this time.
July 1967. A Seagrave custom canopy-cab 85’
aerial was delivered. The drive train was the same
as the two pumpers delivered in 1961 & 1965, and
cost $48,000. This was Massillon's first Seagrave
to be built entirely at the Clintonville, Wisconsin
plant. The rear of the aerial was nearly the same as
the 1941, 65’ [aerial], including a small booster tank
and high-pressure pump. It had more compartments,
and the ladder was four sections, opposed to three
on the 65’. The 1941 aerial was placed in reserve
status in the west bay at No. 2 Station.
1967 Seagrave 85ft. aerial (Bob Studer photo)
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July 27, 1967. At almost exactly
noon, a fire was reported at the former
home of the local newspaper, The
Evening Independent on the southwest
corner of North Avenue and Erie
Street North.
The three-story
structure was being razed, and when
the Department arrived, the entire rear
of the building was on fire. Engines
one, three, the ES, and aerial
responded, immediately initiating an
exterior attack. Off duty personnel
were recalled, the reserve 65 foot
aerial was brought to the scene and set
up as a water tower at the rear of the
building, and the new 85 foot truck was used in a likewise manner at the front on N. Erie. This was the baptism fire
for the new aerial, as it was only a few weeks old. The fire created a large column of smoke, which attracted many
spectators who were able to see their new aerial in action. The fire was kept from spreading to adjacent buildings in
the block, and was extinguished without incident. A cutting torch being used in salvage operations in the building
apparently started the fire. Since the building was being razed, a damage estimate was not set.
January 5, 1968 at 8:30PM, Engines one, two, the ES
and aerial responded to the Hess Snyder Company, 251
Erie Street South. Firemen immediately knew they had
their work cut out for them when they opened the bay
doors [of old Central Station] three blocks away, the
smoke was so thick that the buildings across Charles
Street could not be seen. The large four-story building
was almost two blocks long and a half block wide.
When firemen arrived, they found the center section of
the fourth floor well involved, with windows from the
third floor blown out onto the street. A heavy exterior
attack was initiated, the reserve Engine and aerial
requested, and all off duty personnel recalled. An aerial
and Engine were requested from Jackson Township, and
a Engine from Perry Township. A second Engine from
Perry Township was requested to “fill-in” at Central
Station with Massillon No. 3 Engine. The fact that the temperature was in the teens did not make fighting the fire
any easier, taking most of the night to get the fire under control. Firemen returned to the scene several times during
the next few days extinguishing hot spots. Again, the cause was listed as a cutting torch being used in demolition.
If not the largest, this was definitely one of the larger fires in the history of the City. Ironically, this was only a few
blocks NE from the infamous 1943 Buckeye Cereal Co. fire. As of 2006, the 1970 central fire station and main Post
Office are now located on this exact site.
At approximately 11:30PM while the most of the Department was fighting the Hess Snyder fire, a call was
received for a house fire on Huron Road SE. Engine No. 3 with a crew of five responded from Central Station, and
the ES from the Hess Snyder fire. Upon arrival, the house was found to be heavily charged with heat and smoke, in
what appeared to be a routine fire. However, three small children were found in a bedroom after the fire was
extinguished. All three had perished during the fire, with the residence receiving heavy fire damage.
Summer of 1968. A new building was constructed at 54 City Hall Street SE. directly behind Central Station.
The fire alarm and traffic signal equipment located on the second floor, from the area that once was the hayloft
during the horse-drawn era, was relocated to the new building. The City Electricians also operated out of this
building, and it was named The Ivan Getz Police Fire Signal Center in honor of the longtime City Electrician Ivan
Getz, who retired just prior to completion of the building.
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The building became home to the RED (Regional Emergency Dispatch) Center in 1987. RED was a result of
Massillon and Jackson Township police and fire combining dispatch operations, and the City Electricians moved
their operations to the City Garage at 401 Walnut Road SW. The number of communities involved in RED
increased until it was necessary to move to larger facilities, and in Nov. 2003, all dispatching operations relocated to
new quarters in Jackson Township Hall at Wales Road and Mudbrook St. NW, where it is today, (in 2006).
June 20, 1968 at 4:48PM, Engines one, three, the ES
and aerial responded to The Ivydale Apartments, 219
Fifth Street NE. Heavy fire was found in the attic of the
three-story building. An interior attack was made and
the fire extinguished in about an hour without incident.
Most of the roof was burned off, and entire building
suffered smoke and water damage. The loss was
estimated at $85,000 and the cause as faulty wiring.
Ivydale Apartments (Bob Studer photos)
December 30, 1968 at 6:15PM, Engine one responded to a mutual-aid call from Perry Township, for a fire at the
Amherst Shopping Center, Lake Avenue and Amherst Road NE. The fire was in Young's Supermarket near the
south end of the building. The Massillon engine relayed water from a hydrant at Amherst and Lake NE, to a Perry
TWP Engine at the front of the store. As the fire progressed, Perry requested an aerial truck, and the 1967 Seagrave
85 foot aerial responded, and used for ladder pipe operations. The store was a total loss with damage to several
other stores. Both Massillon units were back in quarters by 11PM.
March 1969. Another new Seagrave 1000GPM
canopy-cab forward engine was delivered, and assigned
to Central Station. It was nearly a duplicate to the other
two (1961 & 1965) engines, except it was powered by a
Cummins 250 horsepower diesel engine, and had the
“first air brakes” in the Department. The 1961 Seagrave
was reassigned to No. 3 Station, with the 1945 put in
reserve at No. 3 Station. The 1941 reserve engine was
stripped and scrapped. At this time, and for the next
twelve years, all first-line apparatus were Seagrave,
canopy-cab forward models that looked nearly identical.
June 25, 1969 at 2:21AM, Engines one, two, the ES and aerial responded to the Workingman's Store, 105
Tremont Avenue SW. The two-story building was located on the southwest corner of First and Tremont SW. The
fire gutted the building and the interior walls fell into the basement. The fire had a special impact on the firemen, as
the store is where for years, firemen had purchased both their dress and work uniforms, and was owned by a former
fireman, Frank Curtis. The loss was estimated at $50,000.
October 26, 1969 at 7:42AM, Engines one, two, the ES, aerial, and Perry Township's Richville station, responded
to an ADT alarm from Superior Brand Meats, 1888 Southway Street SE. Upon arrival, heavy fire was found
coming from the rear of the building. Both an interior and exterior attack was made, and the fire was quickly
brought under control. Damage was extensive to the area of the building where it originated.
December 1970. The Department moved into a new
$440,000 Central Fire Station at 233 Erie Street South, directly
across from Oak Street SE. It is located on the northern portion
of the former Hess-Snyder complex that burned in 1968, and the
main U.S. Post Office is located on the southern portion of the
same lot. The new building has a mechanics bay and four
double deep apparatus bays in front, with two smaller bays that
exit south. Other features are a large dormitory with room for eighteen beds, classroom, large ready room, hose
drying tower and automatic standby generator. Offices are located in the front, south area of the building, with the
living area in the rear that is of split-level in design.
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February 1, 1971 at 11:01PM, Engines one, three, the ES and aerial responded to 510 Federal Avenue NE, the
northeast corner of Fifth and Federal Avenue NE. An explosion caused a large older three story house, which was
found fully involved upon arrival by first-in units…with windows (completely in frames) lying across Federal
Avenue. An interior attack was at first attempted, but quickly abandoned when it was feared the explosion may
have caused structural damage. A ladder pipe from the Seagrave 85ft. aerial and heavy exterior streams were used
to fight the fire. A temperature of five degrees below zero and a frozen hydrant hampered firefighting efforts. Little
of the structure was left standing, and the loss was estimated at $30,000. The house was owned and occupied by Mr.
Huberty, who years later went into a McDonalds Restaurant in California…shot and killed 19 people.
1971. A new International one-ton step van was put in service as the Emergency Squad (ES). The exterior color
scheme and interior layout were the same as the 1962 Chevrolet it replaced.
October 29, 1971 at 2:53AM, Engines one, three, the ES, and aerial
responded to Shaffer Motors, a Rambler automobile dealer at 1100
First Street NE. The building was well involved and the cause listed
as arson. The loss was estimated to be $150,000.
1972. A new Dodge four-door sedan was purchased for the Fire
Chief, replacing the 1963 Chevrolet.
May 12, 1972 at 2:54AM, Engines one, two, the ES, and aerial responded to Washington High School, 340 First
Street SE. Fire was blowing out several northern first floor windows in the front of the building. Entry was made
into the building and the fire was extinguished without incident. The fire was confined to the administrative offices
in the front of the building and attendance office on the Oak Street side, with heat and smoke damage to the threestory section of the building that fronted on First Street. One of the things that was destroyed that could not be
replaced, was a mural on the wall in the hall outside the attendance office, that honored WHS students killed in
World War II. A disgruntled student who broke into the building, and used copy machine fluid as a starter had set
the fire. He was arrested and charged. School was called off for several days while cleanup was completed, with
damage estimated at $135,000.
1972 fall. While responding to a fire call, the 1971 International Emergency Squad was involved in collision at
Sixth Street and Lincoln Way West. The vehicle landed on its side and was heavily damaged, but injuries to all
parties in the accident were minor. The fire prevention van was used as a squad until a new unit was obtained.
1973. A Dodge window van replaced the
1965 van for the Fire Prevention Bureau, and a
new 1973 Chevrolet Step-Van was purchased, to
replace the (wrecked) 1971 International squad.
March 1974. Chief Donald Simon retired
after over thirty-three years of service, twentytwo of those as Chief. Platoon Captain Charles
Stranger was named as acting Chief.
(BobStuder photos)
March 10, 1974 at 3:13AM, Engines one, two, the ES, and aerial responded to
Sixth and Tremont Avenue SW, where the Graber Apartments were on fire. The
initial was received by telephone, followed a few seconds later from Box 24 at
Sixth and Tremont SW. The three-story building had storerooms on the first floor
and apartments on the second and third. Heavy smoke was showing from the rear
of the building with numerous occupants waiting to be rescued. Ground ladders
were raised and rescues made. This delayed the fire fighting, with the fire gaining
much headway. It was reported that two small children were still in the building,
and every effort was made to find them without success. Off- duty personnel were
recalled, and the (reserve) 65 foot aerial brought to the scene. The fire started on
the second floor and spread upwards to the roof, with the building a total loss and
razed. The cause was never determined. Wetter’s Confectionary occupied the
corner (visible), many years earlier. The site is a parking lot, (as of 2006. .
Graber Block
Page | 49
April 1, 1974 at 2:56AM, Engines one,
three, the ES, and aerial responded to the
[historic] Erie Hotel, at Tremont and Erie
Street South, directly across from Central
Station .Heavy smoke conditions were
found on the second and third floors of the
building. The building was evacuated, and
the three-story hotel had to be searched to
insure that all residents had left, delaying
fire fighting efforts. The building was "U"
shaped making getting hose lines into the
area of the building where the fire was
located difficult. A general alarm was
ordered recalling all off duty personnel and
the reserve aerial and pumper. Mutual Aid was requested from Jackson Township responding with an engine, aerial
and fifteen men, and Perry Township with two engines and eleven men. Seven engines and three aerials were used
during the fire, and it was estimated that water was applied at the rate of 5500 GPM (780GPM average for each
engine) at the height of the fire. Several more fires occurred in the building before it was razed a short time later.
The causes were listed as arson, and the person responsible was convicted and sent to prison. The building was a
total loss estimated to be $100,000. As of 2006, the site is a parking lot used by the City.
Old Central after closing →
July 1974. Platoon Captain Michael Bednar was promoted to Chief.
A life resident of Massillon, he joined the Department December 1,
1951, was promoted to Captain in 1963 and to Platoon Captain in
1972. He replaced Chief Donald Simon who retired in March. In
October 1974, old central fire station at Charles and City Hall Street
SE, was razed to make way for a new City Hall Administration
Building. It was built in 1893 and used as a fire station until the
December 1970.
Hydro-Dyne fire - looking west from Highland & 3rd SE - (Inde/Museum photo)
November 23, 1974 at 6:56AM, a passerby
stopped at central fire station, and reported the Hydro
Dyne plant at 225 Wetmore Avenue SE was on fire.
The plant was located in one of the former Griscom
Russell (Russell & Company) buildings that were
nearly a hundred years old. Griscom Russell had
been bought out, and moved to Pennsylvania in 1962.
Since it was near the 7AM shift change, two shifts
responded with pumpers one, two, the ES and aerial.
They found heavy fire in the south end of the plant,
and were preparing an interior attack using engine
one. However, it was found that the private hydrant
needed to supply the engine was dry. This caused
plans to change, as the nearest City hydrant was
several hundred feet away.
By the time the
connection to this hydrant was made, the fire had
gained much headway and was now completely out
of control. The remaining off-duty shift was recalled, as was the reserve and number three pumper. An engine was
requested from both Jackson and Perry Townships. It took until noon to bring the fire under control, and most of the
day to completely extinguish the fire, destroying a large part of the building. The cause of the fire was accidental,
and was estimated at $750,000. Hydro Dyne rebuilt much of the building and remains there today (in 2006).
October 17, 1975 at 9:08PM, Engines one, three, and the ES, responded to a report of an explosion and fire at
867 Sixteenth Street NE. Upon arrival, a large two story house was found fully involved. The fire consumed most
of the structure, with a loss of $80,000, and the cause listed as arson. Note: It was speculated [later], that the same
arsonist might have set this fire, as the La Cuisina Restaurant fire on November 30, 1975.
Page | 50
Note: photos and accounts of this fire have been transcribed from the Evening Independent - dated December 1, 1975
November 30, 1975 at 5:26, PM, an explosion and fire
was reported at the La Cuisina Restaurant, 1731 Lincoln
Way E. Engines one, three, and the ES responded, and onscene within three minutes. A neighbor, Mr. Willard White
stated that, “four firemen were taking hoses around the west
side and northwest corner of the building.” Mr. Gene
Boerner and his family was standing next door at 1717
Lincoln Way E, and stated that, “one fireman wearing a
mask and breather pack, went to the west door, the outer
door was open [apparently having been blown open by the
first blast], but there was an inner screen door protected by a heavy aluminum grid, that was [obviously] still
locked. Boerner said, “the fireman struck the door several times, attempting to force it open.” At exactly 5:35PM,
another massive explosion with fireball occurred, lifting the entire roof and blowing the contents of the restaurant
out into the east parking lot, and into trees across Lincoln Way. Three firemen were killed and another injured,
along with a civilian in the collapsed building. One large piece of metal wrapped around a Police Car sitting on
Lincoln Way…then the walls collapsed. “The fireman at the west side door…was standing there when the explosion
occurred,” Boerner stated. Two civilian motorists driving by the building when the second explosion occurred
reported later that, “my car was lifted from the roadway,” and the other jerked enough to cause her to seek medical
attention. A civilian bystander, Mr. Norman J. Reader was nearby [in the east parking lot] when the first explosion
occurred. Mr. Willard White came to assist immediately. White stated, “the civilian [Norman Reader] was out to
where he could move a little bit, but there was a fireman [Capt. Joe Glossen] buried in there with him. The
civilian’s head and legs were pinned, and he could not get loose. The Fire Chief [Michael Bednar] approached and
said…let’s get him out of here some way,” White said, “we can’t lift the thing [a large I-beam] up and off of him.”
“The Chief said, go and get about ten strong men…I did, and we started removing the cement blocks and debris,”
said White.
Firemen: Kenneth Arnold, 28, Donald Roseman, 32 and Frank Urwin, 38 were killed in the second explosion.
Fire Captain Joseph Glossen, 41 was
injured, as was civilian Norman J.
Reader, 57.
An extensive investigation found
numerous plastic jugs filled with
gasoline in the basement of the
building, and the fire was ruled felony
arson.
In July of 1976, Myron Tilton and
Gary Thompson were found guilty of
three counts each of aggravated murder in connection
with the deaths of the firemen. They were sentenced
to three separate life terms in the Southern Ohio
Correctional Facility at Lucasville. A three-judge
panel handed down the verdicts after less than five
hours of deliberation, capping a weeklong trial. A
permanent memorial was erected at Central station
for all firefighters killed in the line of duty. The cost
of the statue was $5,780, and the dedication plaque
$350. The 35 firefighters of the Department at the
time, each were accessed $116.58. The three widows
of the above-mentioned firefighters gave $1,000, as
did the wives of current Massillon Firefighters.
Memorial at Central Fire Station - (Bob Studer photo)
Page | 51
Summer 1976. Most members of the Department took the first 120-hour Emergency Victim Care course on a
voluntary basis. Taught through the Stark County Paramedic Program at Aultman Hospital in Canton, the course
was conducted at Central Station, and would certify those passing it as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).
This training would be required in 1979 before Emergency Victim Care could be provided. Prior to this, Red Cross
Advanced First Aid was the standard training for all firemen.
August 1976. A new Seagrave custom, canopy-cab
forward pumper was delivered. This rig had several “firsts,”
making it different from the other three cab-forward
Seagrave’s. It has an Allison HT740 automatic transmission;
1250GPM two-stage Seagrave pump; 500-gallon tank; dual
booster reels, and powered by a Detroit 8V71, 350 hp diesel
engine. It was assigned to Central Station. The 1969 moved
to station three, the 1961 put in reserve at station three, and
the 1945 sold to a private collector. About the same time this
truck was being put into service, the 1965 Seagrave [assigned
to station two], was re-powered with a Detroit 6/71, 265 hp
diesel engine.
June 1977. No. 2 Station on Tremont Avenue SW, that
was closed due to lack of personnel following the La Cuisinia
fire on November 30, 1975, was reopened after six new
firemen were hired, replacing those that had been killed and
disabled at that fire. Prior to the reopening, new overhead
doors with “electric openers” were installed. On duty firemen
had also paneled the kitchen, put a drop ceiling in the
dormitory, and painted several of the rooms.
1976 Seagrave 1250 custom pumper - (Bob Studer photo)
Federal funds were obtained with which to build a new Number 2 Fire Station. As part of this project,
Seventeenth Street was to be opened from Tremont Avenue SW north to Lincoln Way West. The (new) street was
badly needed, as there were few ways available to get from the southwest to northwest side of the City. The site
selected for the new station was on the west side of the (new) Seventeenth Street NW, just north of Main Avenue
West, at 17 Seventeenth Street NW. Because Federal funds were being used, preparing specifications and receiving
bids took most of the year. After having to modify the plans due to insufficient funds available for the project as
first bid, ground was finally broken for the new station in late fall of 1978.
That winter of 1979 was extremely harsh, and all construction stopped after the walls were up only a few feet.
Construction resumed in the spring, but it would be early in 1980 before the building was finally completed. Cost of
the building was $440,000, the same as the (1970) Central Station. The site chosen is an excellent location as it is
almost exactly in the middle of the station's “response district,” and will have good access to Lincoln Way West,
Main Avenue West, and Tremont Avenue SW that all lead to the east side of the City when needed.
1979. A second fireman, Larry Barnhart was assigned full time to the Fire Prevention Bureau. In addition to
working with the Fire Prevention/Investigating Officer, Capt. Dennis Brumbaugh, he also assisted the chief with
clerical duties, and initiated a fire prevention program in the schools. This position was eventually given the title of
Fire/Safety Inspector.
1979. A new Dodge Aspen four-door sedan was purchased for
the fire chief. It replaced the 1972 Dodge sedan that was
reassigned to the Fire Prevention Officer, and the Dodge van
was now available for use by the Fire/Safety Inspector.
February 8, 1979. A house fire at 1330 Huron Road SE
claimed the lives of four small children. To this date, this is the
largest number of lives [on record] lost in any fire in the City.
1979 Dodge Aspen at No. 2 Station - (Bob Studer photo)
Page | 52
Capt. Courtney Urban, Capt. Jack Darnell,
Chief, Michael Bednar
Capt. Larry Hammer, Capt. Joseph Glossen
Capt. Tommy Matthews, Asst. Chief, George Fellabon, Asst. Chief, Donald Harwig, Asst. Chief, Richard Ielsch, Asst. Chief, Karl Neumann
Capt. Virgil Edie
1978
Ma ssil l on Fir e Depa r t ment
Capt. Michael Jorden
Emil Chovan, John Forgan , Terry Reichel, Charles Ginther, Larry Spees, Larry Steffee, James Bracken, Robert Murphy, Michael Wentzel
David Orner, Michael Sullivan, John Mosser, David Sullivan, Randall Ross, Donald Weisgarber, Joseph Notch, Joseph Tully, Gary Slinger
Harold Sirgo, Charles Kleve, Larry Barnhart, Joseph Jackson, Niles Black, John Novak, Dennis Brumbaugh, Gary Wade, David Conley
Page | 53
April 4, 1979. An early morning fire at Swanke Cleaners, 715
State Street NE, caused $20,000 damage to the building and
contents. The dry cleaners occupied the first floor with four
apartments on the second. The fire was confined to one apartment
with smoke damage to the entire building. A resident suffered
injuries when he jumped to safety from a window of his apartment,
and neighbors had used a ladder to get two other residents out of
the building before the arrival of the fire department. Ironically,
the building was originally Number 3 Fire Station that was built in
1907, and vacated in 1951 when a new No. 3 Station was opened
on Wales Road at Kendal NE.
Swankee Cleaners - old 1907 No. 3 Station - (Inde photo)
April 1979, a Chevrolet/Pierce
one-ton, 4x4 mini-pumper was
delivered. A Chevrolet 350 gasoline
engine powered it with a manual
transmission.
The
body
was
constructed of aluminum with a 400
GPM two-stage mid-ship pump, 250gallon fiberglass booster tank, small
extension ladder, booster hose and
one pre-connected 1½” inch hose.
The cost was $35,000. This was the
first piece of apparatus bought by the
City that was manufactured by
Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton,
Wisconsin. It replaced the 1966 Ford
that had the hose body, f/m pump and
tank removed, with a stake-bed
placed on the back. A snowplow was added, and the vehicle became a Utility truck used for miscellaneous
purposes, including picking up hose etc. at fires. The 1966 Ford was in Utility service as of December 2006.
A NEW STATION - A NEW DECADE
January 1980. A new Chevrolet/Pierce one-ton
Rescue Squad was put in service at a cost of $30,000.
The modular design was all aluminum with outside
compartments that gave access to the new "Jaws of
Life" rescue tool, that came with the truck. It had a
cot, and was capable of transporting one victim in the
event a private ambulance was not available. The
1973 Chevrolet Step-Van Emergency Squad was given
to the City Garage for their use.
1980 Pierce/Chevrolet Squad - (Bob Studer photo)
April 29, 1980 at 9:41PM, the Department responded to the Ohio
Packaging Corporation, 777 Third Street NW. Upon arrival, they
found numerous large rolls of paper outside the plant on fire. It
took three hours to extinguish the fire, as company forklifts had to
be used to move rolls to get better access to the fire.
Ohio Packaging Corp. fire - (Independent photo)
Page | 54
May 4, 1980 at 4:06AM. A house fire was reported at 1766 Huron Road SE. Upon arrival, firefighters were
advised that five children had escaped through windows, but that Cardine Linda Turner was still inside the house.
She was found deceased in the living room. The loss was set at $10,000 and the cause listed as accidental.
June 1980. New No. 2 Station on Seventeenth Street
NW was dedicated. The brick single story structure has
three double deep, drive-thru apparatus bays, a hose
tower, and an 8,000-gallon underground tank for pump
testing located next to the driveway, on the north side of
the building. The building is air-conditioned, heated by a
hot water system, and has an automatic back-up
generator. The new station replaces one on Tremont
Avenue SW that was built in 1905, and for its first ten
years, housed men as well as horses that were used to
pull the apparatus. In addition to housing the 1965
Seagrave pumper, the (new) building also housed the
(reserve) 1941 Seagrave 65 foot aerial.
New No. 2 Station - (Bob Willgohs photo)
July 30, 1980 at 5:03AM, fire was reported at 50 Marion Avenue SE. Upon arrival, firefighters found the entire
front of the two-story frame dwelling on fire. While a crew was extinguishing the fire, another crew made entry into
the house, and two elderly residents were found and removed to the outside. They were treated and taken to
Massillon Community Hospital by private ambulance, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. A neighbor
boy was apprehended and charged with arson, having setting a fire on the front porch. Loss was set at $15,000.
September 28, 1980, while responding to a medical call in the early
morning hours, the Rescue Squad was involved in a collision at Sixth
Street and Lincoln Way East. The squad ended up on its left side in
the intersection, and was heavily damaged. The driver of the car they
hit was not injured. Both firefighters were taken to Massillon
Community Hospital where they were treated for minor injuries and
released. While the truck was being repaired, the fire prevention van
was used as a squad.
Squad accident at Lincoln Way and 6th NE
(Bob Studer photos)
October 31, 1980, an
early morning fire at
Arthur Teacher’s Fish
N’ Chips Restaurant,
2120 Lincoln Way East,
heavily damaged the
single-story building. A
5gal. gasoline container
was found inside the
west side door of the
building, and the fire
ruled arson.
← gasoline can at West side door
rear electrical panel exploding
December 24, 1980 at 11:23PM, a fire at 406 Fifth Street SW (southeast
corner of Fifth and Green Avenue SW) heavily damaged a large two-story
frame dwelling that had been converted into three apartments. It was a
very cold Christmas Eve with several inches of snow on the ground,
making fighting the fire difficult and taking several hours to extinguish.
Damage was estimated at $49,000 and the building was razed.
Page | 55
February 21, 1981. A late morning fire on the roof of the
Massillon (McClymonds) Building at the northwest corner of
Lincoln Way and Erie Street N., caused heavy damaged to the
penthouse in the five-story structure. The penthouse was
constructed of wood used for storage, and the fire created smoke
that was visible throughout the downtown area. The building
was evacuated, and the fire extinguished by a hose line that was
extended up the aerial ladder into a fifth floor window and onto
the roof.
1967 aerial and 1976 pump “working”on N. Erie
March 8, 1981. An afternoon fire
damaged a two-story house at 2900
Lincoln Way West. The fire started in
a second floor bedroom, and extended
into the attic before it was extinguished.
July 7, 1981, Fire Chief Michael
Bednar retired after serving nearly
thirty years on the Department, his last
seven as Chief.
1965 Seagrave (No. 2 Company) “working” on Lincoln Way West
October 14, 1981. Assistant Chief Tommy R. Matthews was promoted to Chief after receiving the highest score
on an examination, given by the Massillon Civil Service Commission. A native of Massillon, Tom was appointed to
the Department May 3, 1966, promoted to Captain in November 1974, and to Platoon Captain (Assistant Chief) in
March 1979. Tom follows in his dad’s footstep, who was a fireman from 1947 to 1952.
November 1981. A pumper built in
Amlin, Ohio by Sutphen Corp. was
delivered. The custom, cab-over engine
cost $113, 972 and is the first [major]
piece of fire apparatus bought by the City
that was not a Seagrave since 1921. The
truck has a 1250GPM Hale pump, 500gallon booster tank, one booster reel,
Allison HT740 automatic transmission,
air brakes and powered by a 8V71 Detroit
diesel 316 hp engine. This is the first
pumper with a single-stage pump, left
high-side compartments, and it was
assigned to Central station. The 1976
Seagrave was reassigned to No. 2 Station,
the 1965 Seagrave put in reserve, and the
1961 Seagrave traded-in for ($3500),
sold [by Sutphen] to Louisville, Ohio.
Chief, Tommy R. Matthews with 1981 Sutphen 1250/500 pumper
April 1, 1982. The Department initiated paramedic service. The
six certified Paramedics were already members of the Department,
however victim transport would [still] be provided by private
ambulance service, and remains thus as of December 2006.
May 1982. A Chevrolet four-door station wagon was purchased
for the Chief. The 1979 Dodge sedan was reassigned to the Fire
Prevention Bureau.
(all photos by Bob Studer)
Page | 56
July 15, 1982 at 1:15AM, an explosion and fire that literally blew the house off its foundation, destroyed a twostory residence at 1000 First Street NE. During overhaul, the body of Thomas Skarpusis was found in the living
room with a 2½ gal., safety-can nearby. An investigation by Massillon PD and FD Capt. Jack Darnell, found that
the house was for sale, and he was paid $500 to torch the house by the owner. Apparently, after spreading gasoline
throughout the house, the pilot light on the water heater ignited the vapors resulting in the explosion, trapping him
before he could exit the front door of the house. The structure was a total loss and eventually razed.
“explosion” damage to rear (kitchen) area of the residence
(Bob Studer photo)
October 17, 1982. A mutual-aid call was received from Jackson Township Fire Department for an aerial ladder,
to a major business fire at the Shady Hollow Country Club on Wales Road in Jackson TWP. The 1967 Seagrave
85ft. aerial was dispatched with two firemen, assigned to the NW rear portion of the structure, to help in making a
stop of the advancing fire, and was successful. Plain TWP also sent an aerial ladder, with many other departments
sending tankers. Water was eventually drafted from a large swimming pool located at the south end of the property.
(see left photo below)
The fire was ruled arson…set by a disgruntled employee who was convicted.
front of Shady Hollow Country Club
Note: the man in the “red” jacket (far right) was convicted of arson
Massillon’s 85ft. Seagrave aerial “working” at NW rear
(Bob Studer photos)
Conrad Hotel Fire
(1880 photo courtesy of the Margy Vogt collection)
On Monday November 7, 1983 at 11:25PM, a fire was reported at
the “historic,” (118-year-old) Conrad Hotel, 60 Lincoln Way East
and First NE. The building was constructed in 1865 on a vacant lot;
fourteen years after a conflagration leveled the entire block west from
Mill (First Street NE) and Main (Lincoln Way E.) to Erie Street N.
Page | 57
Massillon businessmen, Edward B. Upham, Samuel and George Halk, Levi and Silas Rawson, and Dr. Joseph
Watson, constructed the new $15,000 hotel in 1865, naming it the American House. In 1880, Messrs, Zielley and
Bayliss, sold their south Erie Zielley House [later the Eire Hotel] to purchase and remodel the American House,
reopening it as the Park Hotel. Silas Conrad acquired the hotel in the mid 1880’s, renaming it again the American
House. On January 1, 1890, the manager [name unknown] changed its name to The Conrad Hotel as a “gift” to the
owner. The short-lived local newspaper The Massillon American, described the hotel as, “the headquarters for the
fashion and elite of the City.” In the late 1800’s, Fire Chief Andrew A. Burkle enjoyed frequent “after-lunch
snoozes” on the outside porch, and his men knew to “swing past” on their way to a fire.
Eng. 1- 1981 Sutphen on Lincoln Way E.
First St.NE - looking south
The building’s two upper floors had
been vacant since July 15, 1981, when
former Stark County Common Pleas
Court Judge Ira Turpin, ordered its 22
residents to move out, however the first
floor business tenants were not affected
by his order. When first-in units arrived
at 11:28PM, Assistant Fire Chief Donald
Harwig said, “the second and third floors
were fully charged with smoke, and it
would have been a real problem trying to
get people out of there.” A second alarm
was requested, along with mutual aid assistance from Jackson and Perry Township. Forty-nine firemen, including
twenty-five off-duty Massillon firemen fought the stubborn blaze, with four Massillon firemen receiving minor
injuries. Massillon’s 85ft. Seagrave aerial was on Lincoln Way with the 1981 Sutphen pumper; 1976 Seagrave
pumper was on the hydrant at Lincoln Way and First SE; 1969 Seagrave pumper was on a hydrant at First and
Federal NE; Jackson TWP’s ALF aerial was on First NE; and the 1941 Seagrave 65ft. (reserve) aerial was on
Federal NE used as a water-tower. Ohio Water Service Co. was contacted to temporarily raise the downtown water
pressure to supply the engines pumping during the fire.
The fire consumed most of the front, upper two stories of the building,
but a huge brick firewall halfway back (north) in the building on the
First Street side, protected this area that only received smoke and water
damage. Businesses on the street level that received only water damage
included; Keister’s Sewing Center; The Ad Factory; The Democratic
Headquarters; Coyne Flowers; Massillon Pro-Am; and Menchinelli’s
Restaurant. Fire Safety Officer Capt. Dennis Brumbaugh investigated
the blaze, and an arson suspect was eventually convicted. The building
was razed, and the lot is used as a parking lot, (as of 2006).
Fmn. Larry Barnhart Capt. Dennis Brumbaugh
at N. “firewall”
“investigating the cause”
First St. NE - looking west at height of the fire
(all photos by Bob Studer)
First St. NE and Lincoln Way - Chief Matthews in white coat
Page | 58
On Sunday January 15, 1984 at 8:40PM, Police Officer John
Blunt on routine patrol, radioed-in that smoke was emitting from the
front of Federal Bowling Lanes on Federal Ave. NE at Conrad
Place. First-due units, Eng. 1, Ladder 1, Squad 218 and Eng. 3
arrived at 8:42, confronting a very heavy, black smoke condition. A
second alarm was transmitted immediately. Entry was made thru
the front and from the parking lot, but it was apparent that the entire
interior of the building was fully involved with fire, and that a
“flash-over” could be immanent at any time. All inside crews were
ordered out for safety, and an aggressive exterior attack was started.
The outside temperature was near zero, making firefighting efforts
difficult at best, with ice forming on all surfaces. The 1967
Seagrave 85’ aerial was set-up in the east parking lot as a water tower, and soon the entire roof of the building had
lit-up. With an extensive investigation by the Massillon Fire Bureau, Massillon Police, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco
and Firearms, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the fire was ruled arson. The owner Fuzzy Kowell was convicted
of insurance fraud and sentenced. Captain Larry Steffee, firemen; Rick Annen, Larry Layne, Robert Murphy, and
Mike Wagner were injured during the blaze, however none seriously. The loss was estimated at $85,000.
looking east. on Federal Eng. 1
east side door to parking lot
east parking lot - looking west
March 31, 1984 at 12:38AM, Police Lt. Dennis Harwig on routine patrol,
reported that the area above the Alibi Bar on Erie S. and Lincoln Way E. was
on-fire. First-in units, Eng. 1, Squad 218, Ladder 1 and Eng. 2 made the
same size-up. The only access to the second and third floors was from
Diamond Ct. as the Erie stairway was blocked. The 1941 Seagrave (reserve)
aerial was eventually called and set-up as a water tower on Lincoln Way E.
at Erie. During the fire, fireman Gary Geis fell 15 feet through a skylight,
and was transported to Massillon Community Hospital with broken ribs and
internal injuries. Five other firemen; Capt. Joe Tully, John Novak, Dave
Conley, Bill Black, and Rick Annen, also received injuries and were treated
at the scene. The street level businesses affected were; Snively & Kimmins Law Offices; H & R Block Tax; P & P
Reality; and the Alibi Bar. The fire was suspicious in that the second and third floor had been vacant for some time.
Erie St. S - looking east above Alibi Bar
1941 Seagrave on Lincoln Way -“water tower”
(all photos by Bob Studer)
Page | 59
In 1984, all Gamewell “street” fire alarm boxes were removed. After a study and much thought, this was
authorized by City Council, with Fire Chief Tom Matthews recommending the action. Many reasons were cited for
the removal of the boxes: 1. much of the connecting wire used needed replaced; 2. during the 1982 insurance office
(ISO) grading of the Fire Department, ISO advised that credit was no longer given for the fire alarm “box” system;
3. over ninety-eight percent of alarms from street boxes were found to be false alarms, and those that were not false,
were not structure fires, but vehicle accidents and grass fires; 4. fifty-five “private” alarm boxes located at
industries, schools, hospital, and nursing homes remained. The old “street” alarm boxes were offered for sale to the
public at $40 each.
The ADT, American District Telegraph punch register and bell, was removed from the watch station at Central
Station. The punch register had been malfunctioning for some time, and after numerous attempts to get it repaired
with no results, ADT was ordered to have it removed. ADT was leasing the lines to Central, and it was thought that
this may have been causing the problems to the register. ADT always made a telephone call to Central to back up
any alarm received to their office. The Republic Steel Corp. had an “alarm transmitter” in the main guardhouse on
Oberlin Road SW, which consisted of removable discs. They were able to transmit an alarm to Central Station using
the appropriate disc, as to the exact location within the mill complex. Alarms from Republic Steel were preceded by
a “single-blow,” making it distinguishable from all other alarms. This system was replaced with conventional Boxes
232 and 2413 at the main office building, across from the main gate on Oberlin Road SW.
In 1984, a 900-acre annexation was accepted into the City, including the property of the Massillon State Hospital
at 3000 Erie Street South, where the City had been providing fire protection under contract until 1968. This was a
separate system with its own punch-register and bell, sent to Central via cable. When an alarm was received from
this system, the city’s Box #5 was transmitted, with Eng.1, the aerial, and squad responding. When the contract was
cancelled, the alarm system was relocated to Perry TWP, Richville Station. With the new annexation, the City was
once again responsible for fire protection to the hospital, and the hospital’s system was made compatible with the
City’s Gamewell system, with Boxes 621 thru 646. When any of these boxes came-in, they was easily
distinguishable from the City’s, as they rang much faster.
In October 1984, the last Firemen’s Ball was held at Dockside Hall, on the SW corner of Erie North and Cherry.
The annual ball had been a tradition since the late 1940’s, always held the Saturday during Fire Prevention Week.
Initially, all proceeds were given to the Firemen’s Uniform Fund to purchase uniforms, but after the City started
providing a uniform allowance, the proceeds went to the Massillon Firemen’s Benevolent Fund. The first ball was
held in the Republic Steel office building’s ballroom, on the third floor of the east wing. In the 1950’s, the ball was
moved to the American Legion Home at 427 Lincoln Way E., where attendance grew, and both the main ballroom
and the basement dining room had to be used. It was held at Amherst Shopping Center from 1960 thru the early
1970’s, with attendance continuing to grow to nearly 600 at one point. Each fireman was assigned to a district to
sell the tickets during off-duty, and on the day of the ball, off-duty firemen prepared the hall and picked up all the
supplies. During the ball, these men served as bartenders, waiters, servers, and ticket takers, with the on-duty shift
making deli trays to sell. The day after, the shift that had been on-duty cleaned the hall. Attendance declined in the
late 1970’s when the Amherst Civic Center was closed, however it was held for a year or two at the Steelworkers
Hall at 1303 Ninth SW.
April 18, 1984, a new
Pierce/Ford C-8000 series pumper
was delivered and assigned to No. 3
Station. The truck has a Caterpillar
3208 diesel engine, automatic
transmission, 1000GPM Waterous
pump, 500gal. tank, all aluminum
body
with
high,
left-side
compartments, and cost $94,309.
This was the first “commercial,”
Class-A pumper for the Department.
1984 Pierce/Ford at Central when” new”
(Bob Studer photo)
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