50 years ago today!! Long Time member James Hall said members didn’t know how to stop the spread of fire. Charlie Boyle’s (Union), James Hall, and Ed Beam decided to write off eastern end of the building which was heavily involved and cut holes in roof (now called trench cuts) and used a booster lines with high pressure fog and 1 1/2” handlines and stopped the fire. They called Mt Holly, Boiling Springs, North Middleton, and West Pennsboro for tankers. Each unit of rooms was self contained attached into a row. These units were in two rows of 20 or 24 units with a service isle between each row and a common roof over thing. The service isle was open an once the fire got into it it acted as a chimney flue. We went the Carlisle country club pool with portable pumps but the pool was dry. Gary Basehore was Fire Chief then. This fire is where the present day Blue Beacon Truck Wash is located. Apparatus for Co. 33 at the time was the 1955 GMC Engine, 1965 Chevrolet Tanker, and 1965 International Tanker. The motel rooms were located behind what was then the Twin Gables Truck Stop as indicated in the aerial picture. Thanks to John Sheaffer and Union Fire Company for their assistance. ... See moreSee less
