Pottsville Fire Company, No. 1

Pottsville Fire Company, No. 1 The Pottsville Fire Company, No. 1 is the product of the merger between the Humane Fire Company and the Phoenix Fire Company.

While the Pottsville Fire Co was established in 2025, its legacy companies, the Humane and the Phoenix, date back to 1829.

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 90 Years Ago Today - A hat trick in the 5th Ward...May 13, 1936 – Box 53 – 17:40 ...
05/13/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 90 Years Ago Today - A hat trick in the 5th Ward...

May 13, 1936 – Box 53 – 17:40 – 425 Minersville St. Occupant: George Hilton; Cause: Unknown, “looks like it was set on fire.” Loss: $629.

Three separate alarms of fire were transmitted for this house the same evening. Firefighters arrived in response to Box 53 – 6th & Minersville Street - at 17:40 to find smoke pouring from the frame home. Several booster lines were operated and at least one 2 ½” line. After companies had cleared, Box 53 was again transmitted for the same address at 20:15 hrs. Chief Smith and the companies again arrived to find the home burning. The fire was placed under control and units later cleared the scene. Just before midnight, Chief Smith and the Humane (Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1) arrived in response to a Still Alarm to find fire burning along the chimney line in the home. This fire was handled with a booster line.

The Sanborn Fire Insurance map and the Dallin survey photo show the location of the home on Pottsville’s long-gone Minersville Street (white star). The photo also shows the location of the Humane's (Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1) former firehouse (red star).

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 130 Years Ago Today... May 11, 1896 – Box 72 and Box 73 – 00:30 – Fire at Wei...
05/11/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 130 Years Ago Today...

May 11, 1896 – Box 72 and Box 73 – 00:30 – Fire at Weissinger’s Black Diamond Hotel and the stock yard of David Neuser, corner of Coal and Nichols Sts. Loss: Appx. $11,000.

Pottsville Police Patrolman Zack Madara was walking his beat along Centre Street. Upon crossing Nichols, he noticed heavy smoke on Nichols Street at Coal. Running to the scene, he found flames showing from Weissinger’s hotel, threatening to extend to a barn and another outbuilding. He pulled the hook on Box 73 – Coal & Nichols (note that Yorkville was not a part of Pottsville yet and the 6th & 7th Wards occupied what is now all of the 6th Ward).

Mr. Weissinger, the owner of the hotel, awoke to find a closet in flames in the building and venting to the exterior. He ran for a pail of water. He was unable to return as the heat, smoke, and flames had driven him back. He immediately began arousing the other occupants. As this was occurring, David Neuser, with the help of Philip Roehrig, a passerby, ran to the barn on Neuser’s property and freed the horses. As others arrived, they assisted Neuser in saving his horses, cattle, and sheep.

Companies arrived and immediately placed 2 ½” lines in service. The Humane (Pottsville Fire Company No. 1) steamer operated from the hydrant at Centre & Nichols. Good Will’s steamer (Good Will at the time was still quartered in its original Prospect St firehouse), operated at the hydrant at Coal & Railroad Sts, supplying two good 2 ½” streams. Good Intent was positioned on Nichols St near the Pennsylvania Railroad bridge. American Hose operated from a hydrant on Coal Street, south of the fire. Phoenix (Pottsville Fire Company No. 1) utilized hooks to bring down the charred walls and to tear away weatherboards.

As the sun rose the next morning, the damage was extensive. The 3-story frame Black Diamond Hotel was destroyed, as was a large barn to the rear of the property. Several buildings of David Neuser’s stockyard were also destroyed, although the livestock was saved.

The area of Coal and Nichols St (prior to the Good Will firehouse being built on the northwest corner). The red box on the photo delineates the fire area in 1896. You can make-out “Neuser’s” on one frame building. The Sanborn Fire Insurance map dated April 1896 – one month prior to the fire – shows the properties involved.

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 35 Years Ago Today - May 2, 1991...05/02/1991 – Box 115 – 02:36 – 221-223 N. Cent...
05/02/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 35 Years Ago Today - May 2, 1991...

05/02/1991 – Box 115 – 02:36 – 221-223 N. Centre St; Fire originated in bags of trash and other Class A materials on the rear roof outside of the 2nd floor apartment above the E.T. Trophy shop. This was a very large, 3 ½-story duplex mixed occupancy. The first floor of the building, which extended to Downing Street in the rear, was much deeper than the upper floors.

When the tenant of the 2nd floor apartment looked out of her bathroom window early that morning, she saw the flames. Grabbing a fire extinguisher, she shattered window in an attempt to fight the fire. She was immediately hit with a blast of heat and smoke, causing her to retreat. The flames then drove into the apartment and soon found the eaves and void spaces, spreading fire throughout the building. City police officers arrived quickly after the alarm was sounded and escorted the tenants to safety. Fire ran the walls and ceilings of the occupied apartments and eventually consumed much of the roof.

Companies were out approximately 5 hours, with the fire having been placed under control at 04:30 hrs. Damage was estimated at over $150,000. These buildings no longer stand on Centre St. The cause of the fire, which left 8 homeless, was undetermined. Schuylkill Haven Rainbow and Liberty and Port Carbon provided mutual aid.

The fire was investigated by Fire Chief March, Pottsville Police Detective Joe Murton (RIP), Officer Bill Dewald, and State Police Fire Marshal Tom Slane (RIP). Detective (and former Police Chief) Murton was a life member of the Humane Fire Company (Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1) while Bill Dewald is today an active member of the Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1 as well as a past city Assistant Fire Chief.

04/29/2026

Truck 21 and Engine 32 responding to 525 Greenwood Ave in the City for a Working Structure Fire on 4/29/26.

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 85 Years Ago Today...April 21, 1941 – Box 18 – 23:30 – Centre & Mahantongo Sts; W...
04/21/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 85 Years Ago Today...

April 21, 1941 – Box 18 – 23:30 – Centre & Mahantongo Sts; Woolworth Store; Cause: Painters using paint remover in the front of the building. Some unknown person walked in the doorway and lit a cigarette causing the paint remover to ignite. Fire burned through the store from front to back on the first floor and up through the partition walls; Loss (to all properties and businesses affected): $113,000.

Companies arrived with heavy fire showing from the first floor display windows of the Woolworth store. Several 2.5” handlines were used to knock-down the main body of fire. The first floor store was gutted. Much of the stock in the basement was damaged by water. The offices and businesses on the upper floors were heavily damaged by smoke. There was some fire extension to the second floor via the partition walls. Fire Chief George Smith had “Command.” Eight firefighters were injured including Lloyd Martz (Good Intent), who was also a member of the School Board and for whom the famed “Martz Hall” is named. He suffered a laceration to the hand as he fell while entering the store and fell onto the broken display windows.

As mentioned previously, Woolworth’s was a bit of a fire magnet in Pottsville. It was believed to have been the origin of Pottsville’s “Great Fire” of 1914 when it was located on the West side of Centre St. between Norwegian and Mahantongo. After the fire, the store moved to the Northeast corner of Centre & Mahantongo. Here it was the scene of a serious fire on 2/10/1920, which caused $41,433.04 in damage. Then came the fire of 1941. On December 2, 1950, a massive fire heavily damaged the building and resulted in $302,300 in damage. It was following this fire that the Woolworth building went from 4 stories to one story! The original building (albeit one story) still exists as a doctor’s office today.

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 115 Years Ago Today - April 15, 1911 - the first working fire in the "City of Pot...
04/16/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 115 Years Ago Today - April 15, 1911 - the first working fire in the "City of Pottsville."

The City Charter was approved by the Courts on March 22, 1911 and officially presented to Borough Council on April 15, 1911 for adoption. Pottsville then became a Third Class City. A little later that evening...

In their apartment on the 4th floor of “The Flats” apartment complex on North 2nd Street, Mrs. William Biever struck a match in order to locate an Easter basket for her child. She evidently set fire to nearby packing materials. Mrs. Biever and her child escaped the apartment as someone ran to pull Box 57 – 2nd & Fairview. Companies arrived to find heavy smoke banking from the 4th floor. Advancing several chemical lines into the building, firefighters found heavy fire in the Biever apartment. Eating a good deal of smoke, firefighters managed to knock the fire down within half an hour. They remained on scene for 2 hours. Some extension was found via the partition walls.

Many Easter shoppers were downtown at the time of the fire and migrated to the scene on N. 2nd St, at times hampering the efforts of the fire department. Fire Chief Lynaugh had “Command.” Asst. Fire Chief Bray was also on scene. “The Flats” in the 400 Block of N. 2nd St. in Pottsville’s 5th Ward kept firefighters busy for many years.

From the fire record: 04/15/1911 – Box 57 – 21:03 – North 2nd St. Flats; Cause: Spark from match; Loss: $2,985.43.

This was also one of the last fires for the Humane (Pottsville Fire Company No. 1) horse-drawn Holloway chemical engine and horse-drawn hose wagon. The Humane chemical engine and hose wagon would soon be replaced by a motorized 1911 Knox hose and chemical wagon. The Humane is pictured with "the fleet" next to the company's 1890 firehouse, located just a couple of blocks from "The Flats" apartment complex.

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 30 Years Ago Today - April 13, 1996...Box 341 was transmitted at 17:25 hrs for 73...
04/13/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back - 30 Years Ago Today - April 13, 1996...

Box 341 was transmitted at 17:25 hrs for 737 Schuylkill Ave, a 1-story single-family dwelling that was heavily damaged by fire. This home was an odd configuration for this neighborhood and was to have been a bar/tavern at one point in time. The photo shows Pottsville Fire Company (Phoenix) firefighters operating with the company's 1978/92/59 American LaFrance 100' tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck. On another note, the frame homes in the background were heavily damaged by fire in 2014.

Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1 Looking Back – 130 Years Ago Today – The Great Norwegian Street Switcheroo…By April 1896, the ...
04/07/2026

Pottsville Fire Co. No. 1 Looking Back – 130 Years Ago Today – The Great Norwegian Street Switcheroo…

By April 1896, the Phoenix Fire Engine Company # 2 (Pottsville Fire Company No. 1) was exclusively assigned as a “hook & ladder” company by Pottsville Borough Council with no hose or pumping capability. Located on the east side of Pottsville on East Norwegian Street, the Phoenix was the only fire company on that side of town and, perhaps more importantly, on that side of the railway lines. This effectively left the east side without a fire company that could deliver appreciable water on any blaze that may break-out.

At the Town Council meeting of April 7, 1896, the Fire Apparatus Committee made two important recommendations. The first was to have the Good Will firehouse moved to a more convenient location in order to give the citizens of the 6th & 7th Wards (Yorkville Borough was still not yet part of Pottsville) more effective fire protection. The second was a doozy: The Phoenix and the American Hose were to swap firehouses. This would place the American Hose (an engine company located at 4th & WEST Norwegian Street) on the east side of the city.

As can be imagined – particularly in that era – the wheels came off this idea right quick! The American Hose Company promptly passed a resolution on April 20, 1896 strenuously objecting to the proposed move, particularly in light of that fact that the company was the original owner of the property on which the firehouse was built. The property was later sold to the city with the express understanding that it remain the company’s home in perpetuity. The protest was signed by company secretary P.H. Boltz.

The Phoenix also passed a resolution but was much more direct. The Phoenix simply refused to relocate to the American Hose firehouse. The resolution was signed by Phoenix President James F. Whalen.

Council immediately sensed the prevailing winds on this one and promptly bounced it back to the Fire Apparatus Committee without comment. Thus brought an ignominious end to the Norwegian Street Switcheroo!

On the plus side, however, the Good Will firehouse would successfully make the move from Prospect Street in the Jalappa section to the company’s current location at Coal & Nichols Street.

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back – 35 Years Ago Today…April 6, 1991 – Box 14 – 01:43 – Losch Plaza, Progress Ave. A...
04/06/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back – 35 Years Ago Today…

April 6, 1991 – Box 14 – 01:43 – Losch Plaza, Progress Ave. As the former commercial building was being converted into office space, a fire erupted. The fire was quickly knocked down; however, it resulted in a very heavy smoke condition throughout. A firefighter depleted his air supply and became lost in the large, open building. He made it to a window and was removed without incident. A “Mayday” before we were officially using the term. Asst. Chief G. Witmier (Good Intent) had command.

In the photo, Pottsville Fire Company (Phoenix) Ladder 21 – 1978/59 American LaFrance 100’ tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck – operates on the “B” side of the fire building.

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back – 25 Years Ago – In the 5th Ward...April 5, 2001 – Box 522 – 11:30 – 419-421 Laurel...
04/06/2026

Pottsville Fire Company Looking Back – 25 Years Ago – In the 5th Ward...

April 5, 2001 – Box 522 – 11:30 – 419-421 Laurel Blvd. Three, 3-story frame dwellings heavily damaged. Companies arrived with heavy fire involving the rear of the properties. Cause: Incendiary. Arson charges were later filed against the property owners.

In the photo, Pottsville Fire Company (Phoenix) Ladder 21 prepares the ladder pipe on the company's 1978/92/59 American LaFrance 100' tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck as Pottsville Fire Company (Humane) Engine 32 operates the wagon pipe on the company's 1999 Seagrave 2250 gpm pumper.

On this Easter Sunday, the Officers and Members of the Pottsville Fire Company No. 1 offer deepest condolences to the Wa...
04/05/2026

On this Easter Sunday, the Officers and Members of the Pottsville Fire Company No. 1 offer deepest condolences to the Walnuttown Fire Company of Berks County following the devastating loss of both their Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief while operating at an incident last evening.

Godspeed...

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200 Humane Avenue
Pottsville, PA
17901

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