An article from the Harrisburg Telegraph, July 26, 1921, describing the huge fire at Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, which also resulted in a labor dispute at the Lesher and Bausher Hosiery Mills:
FIRE FOLLOWS EXPLOSION AT WILLIAMSTOWN
$10,000 Loss in Conflagration Which Sweeps Four Houses and General Store
Williamstown, Pennsylvania, July 25 [1921] — One of the largest fires in the history of this place, which totally destroyed the interior of our houses and a general store and rendered a score of persons homeless, was extinguished last evening at 6:30 o’clock with a loss of more than $10,000, none of which was covered by insurance. The fire occurred when an oil stove being used to heat water in the home of George Klinger, at 233 Tower Street, exploded, spraying oil throughout the kitchen.
The fire spread quickly on both sides and carried with it the homes of David Klinger, 335 Tower Street; Clark Cessna, 337 Tower Street; and Mary Shumpers, 339 Tower Street. It spread through the general store of Albert Maiden and 229 and 231 Tower Street, which was recently remodeled. It is estimated that Maiden suffered a loss of $6,000, while the other four homes owned by Amos Lebo, of Harrisburg and D. M. Stein of Elizabethville, are valued at $4,000.
Dam Stream to Get Water
The explosion occurred at 1:45 o’clock and by 2:30 o’clock a general fire alarm was sounded and help secured from Lykens and Tower City. There were twelve streams of water playing on the flames which threatened to sweep the town and a shortage of water served to make matters worse. The problem was solved by damming the Williamstown Creek.
One fireman was seriously injured and three others slightly hurt during the fire
James Meehan, a member of the Williamstown Company, while alone on the roof of one of the burning structures, was tossed to the ground many feet below when the building caved in. He was rendered unconscious by the fall and taken to the office of Dr. H. A. Shaffer where he was revived and later removed to his home. His condition is regarded as serious.
Save Furniture
Most of the damage, however, was done by water, and the residents were able o remove the greater portion of their furniture to safety before the flames destroyed the buildings. The property of Albert Maiden, which was located two building blocks from the the place where the fire originated, was destroyed, although the owner was able to remove his valuables and the greater portion of his stock.
Families rendered homeless are: Clark Cessna; Harry Thompson; George Klinger and David Klinger; and Mary Shumpers. Several other families were obliged to temporarily vacate their homes as it was feared they would be destroyed also, but the fire was finally checked and they were able to return.
The cause of the oil stove explosion could not be learned, but an investigation will be made by officials of the State Fire Marshal’s Bureau.
During the course of the fire, one of the girls employed at the Lesher and Bausher Hosiery Mills, left the building without permission to witness the blaze and was discharged. After her discharge the entire force of more than twenty-five girls went on strike and were still out at a late hour this morning. The girls declared that they would not return to work until the management reinstated the discharged girl.
The blaze attracted considerable excitement throughout the region and brought hundreds of spectators. The blaze was officially placed under control at 4:30 o’clock, although the fire was smouldering practically all night. The firemen from Lykens and Tower City left the scene at 6:30 o’clock last night.
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News article from Newspapers.com.
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