Smoke pours out of the top floors of Manning's Market on September 21, 1963. Several firemen are on the overhang trying to contain the massive fire and one man is midway on the 100 foot engine ladder. The $400,000 fire gutted the interior of Manning's, a longtime institution in Tacoma that contained a coffee shop, cafe, meat market, bakery and beauty salon. In addition, Mierow's Jewelry and Raff's Shoe Store on Broadway were total losses. Thrifty Drugs sustained smoke and water damage. Estimated damages for the entire fire were set at $700,000: $250,000 for the Warburton and Slayden buildings and $450,000 for contents. Altogether, 13 engine companies, four truck companies, two rescue units (one from the Midland Fire Dept.), and three chiefs were dispatched to the fire. Fifteen injuries were reported but none serious. Company owners planned to rebuild after the fire. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 136; TNT 9-22-63, A-1) TPL-9890

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

Firemen gather at the South 11th & Broadway side of Manning's Market on September 21, 1963, to try to put out a massive fire that ultimately gutted the building. (The Bon Marche can be seen in the background.) Flames had engulfed the open area of the coffee shop and firemen were forced to retreat. The loss was estimated at $400,000. This was a 3-11 B-Shift fire which involved 13 engine companies, four truck companies, two rescue units, and three chiefs along with the off-shift. Although there were fifteen injuries reported, apparently none were fatal. The summer of 1963 was a bad one for fires: just a few days before this massive fire, the Tradewell supermarket at 6th & Union was declared a total loss with damages of $400,000 and Pier 7 burned in July in a C Shift fire with over a million dollars in damage. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 136-37, p. 132-35; TNT 9-22-63, A-1) TPL-9891

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Yards of hose lay entwined on the street as firemen fight to contain the massive September 21, 1963, fire at Manning's Market, 1102 Commerce St. A 100-foot ladder is extended to the top floors of the building. 13 engine companies, four truck companies, two rescue units and three fire chiefs responded to the blaze that gutted the interior of Manning's and totaled Mierow's Jewelry and Raff's Shoe Store on Broadway. Estimated damages for the entire fire were $700,000. See D137300, Image 535, for another view of fire. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 136; TNT 9-22-63, A-1) TPL-9892

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;

Eight men, all unidentified members of the Tacoma Fire Department, posed at the fire training school on July 10, 1964. They were standing in front of a hook-and-ladder. The training tower in the rear was located in the Port Industrial area. The TFD would later lend equipment and training facilities such as the tower to the Tacoma Vocational-Technical Institute for a new 18-month course to train future firemen. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising.

Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Heavy smoke billows from the remains of the C & S Foundry, 3018 So. Chandler St., destroyed by a fast burning fire on March 23, 1943. In 45 minutes, the fire was contained but the foundry was lost, sustaining $15,000 in damages. Quick work by 11 fire fighting companies, civilians and members of the Coast Guard stopped the fire from spreading to the surrounding Center St. industrial district. (TNT 03-25-1943 p.1)

Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; C & S Foundry (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A lone firefighter is silhouetted against the sky as he battles the blaze at the C & S Foundry on March 23, 1943. The fire was the result of sparks from molten metal and it burned hot and spread quickly. Firemen, civilians and members of the Coast Guard fought the 3 alarm fire for 45 minutes. The foundry was destroyed with an estimated $15,000 in damages and the blaze also spread to nearby Tacoma Millwork Supply Co. and Anderson Fir Finish Co., causing slight damage. (TNT 03-25-1943 p.1; T. Times 3/25/1943, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; C & S Foundry (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

At appoximately 4:30 p.m. on March 23, 1945 sparks from molten metal started a fire at the C & S Foundry, 3018 So. Chandler St. The fire was so hot that it spread to both the Tacoma Millwork Co. and the Anderson Fir Finishing Co. A Northern Pacific switching crew rescued railroad cars from sidings at the burning plants. The blaze eventually brought out eleven fire companies, and both Civilian Defence auxiliary firemen and a squad of U. S. Coast Guard sailors. Fire Chief Emery Whitaker gave high praise to both the auxiliary firemen and the coast guard sailors for helping to contain the fire. (TNT 03/25/1943 p.1; T Times 3/24/1943, pg. 1+))

Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; C & S Foundry (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

For 45 minutes, beginning around 4:15p.m. on March 23, 1943, eleven fire fighting companies plus civilians and members of the Coast Guard fought a 3 alarm fire at the C & S Foundry that threatened to spread to the surrounding Center St. industrial district. In the end, the foundry was destroyed, sustaining an estimated $15,000 in damages, and the Tacoma Millwork Supply Co. and the Anderson Fir Finish Co. were slightly damaged. (TNT 03-25-1943 p.1; T. Times 3/24/1943, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; C & S Foundry (Tacoma); Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A medical team from Fort Lewis and their civil defense counterparts load a "victim" into an Army ambulance in front of Fire Station #1 during a March 21, 1943 civil defense drill. The drill simulated an enemy bomb raid on Tacoma. Certain buildings were designated as "bombed" with the people inside "victims." (TNT 3/24/1943, pg. 4)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma;

Boy Scouts that assisted in the March 21, 1943 civil defense drill pose in front of the historic Fire Station No. 1, 425 Tacoma Ave. So. It is believed that the scouts posed as victims that were evacuated from the surrounding buildings.

Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

On March 21, 1943, a practice "incident" took place in Tacoma; a Civil Defense drill simulated a enemy bombing of the city. Men in Army medical units, on loan from Fort Lewis, lay out their field dressings preparatory to bringing out "casualties" from the "bombed" buildings.

Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma;

City Firemen and their Fireboat #1, pictured, cooperated with the Coast Guard in an exercise on May 7, 1943 demonstrating their ability to cope with waterfront fires. The fireboat and the Coast Guard's five fire barges drilled off Old Town Dock, pumping a combined 23,700 gallons of water a minute. The drill also called attention to the last few days of the Tacoma Waterfront Defense Committee's clean up drive. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p. 14)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

These two members of the Coast Guard took part in the May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. The pair are aboard one of the smaller CG fire barges. These smaller barges were designed to fight fires under the docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

The three larger Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma are photographed in formation on May 7, 1943. They were taking part in a drill along the Tacoma waterfront. The Coast Guard had a total of five barges assigned to Tacoma. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1, as well as five Coast Guard fire fighting barges, took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The group was showing their ability to effectively stamp out waterfront fires. They were also calling attention to the clean up drive along the front sponsored by the Waterfront Defense Committee. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Three of the Coast Guard's fire barges are photographed during the May 7, 1943 drill off Old Town Dock. The vessels can pump 4,000 gallons of water a minute each and move very quickly across the water. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

A spray of water calls attention to a May 7, 1943 fire fighting drill off the Old Town Dock. Participating are Tacoma's Fireboat #1 and five Coast Guard fire barges assigned to Tacoma. Together the vessels can pump over 23,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, with several streams of water shooting into the air, demonstrates its ability to defend the waterfront from fire during a May 7, 1943 drill. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, Tacoma's Fireboat #1 took part in a drill with the Coast Guard, demonstrating the city's ability to fight a waterfront fire. The city's fire boat and five Coast Guard fire fighting barges went through their paces, shooting 50 streams of water high into the air. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with fire barges. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. Brown's Point is visible in the background. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

In May of 1943, Tacoma Fireboat #1 was used to patrol Tacoma's 36 miles of marine shoreline. Tacoma's first fireboat, it was launched in 1929 and served for 53 years, putting out waterfront fires and responding to emergencies such as sinking vessels and water rescues. During the war years, the city fire department and the Coast Guard patrolled waterfront businesses looking for fire hazards and awarding Waterfront Defense "Good Housekeeping" pennants. Fireboat #1 was retired from service in 1982 and designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989. She is displayed in a permanent dry berth at Marine Park off Ruston Way. The long, low and narrow riveted steel hulled vessel is 96.6 feet in length and could reach speeds of up to 15 knots. She is one of 10 vessels constructed as fireboats greater than 50 years of age left in the US. Of the five 1920's fireboats, she is the least modified and has not undergone extensive modernization. (T.Times, 5/10/43, p.14; National Park Service website under Maritime Heritage Program) TPL-8671

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Coast Guard off Old Town Dock in Commencement Bay with five fire barges during a May 7, 1943 drill with the city's Fireboat #1. The fire barges are displaying streams of water used to extinguish marine fires. The three larger barges could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. The two smaller vessels in the center were designed for fighting fires under docks. They could pump 600 gallons a minute. (T.Times, 5/8/1943, pg. 3; 5/10/43, p.14.)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

On May 7, 1943, five Coast Guard fire fighting barges took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock, showing their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. Also participating in the drill was Tacoma's Fireboat #1. The three larger barges can be seen in the background with the two smaller ones, designed to fight fires under docks, in the center. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coast defenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Military personnel--Tacoma;

Tacoma's Fireboat #1, shown underway, participated in a May 7, 1943 drill, showing its effectiveness in fighting waterfront fires. The drill was part of a campaign to clean up debris along the waterfront, removing fodder for deliberately set fires. The number one enemy of our port and waterfront defense industries was fire. (T. Times 5/8.1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

On May 7, 1943, five fire barges from the Coast Guard took part in a drill off the Old Town Dock. The drill was intended to show their ability to stamp out waterfront fires. The three larger barges are pictured. They could pump 4,000 gallons a minute. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

One of the three Coast Guard fire barges stationed to protect Tacoma's waterfront showed off its water pumping abilities in May of 1943. U.S. Coast Guard inspectors were visiting Tacoma to look for fire hazards and award "Good Housekeeping" pennants to the waterfront businesses that had eliminated fire hazards on their property. Accumulations of waste wood and bark, drifting logs and oil on pilings and bulkheads were the most serious problems found. The fire barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could scoot around the waterfront at very rapid speed. (T. Times 5/10/1943 p.14)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

One of the five Coast Guard fire barges stationed in Tacoma showed off its pumping ability during a May 7, 1943 drill. The barges were propelled by two engines at the rear and could move across the water very rapidly. (T. Times 5/8/1943, pg. 3)

Fireboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

Exterior of fire station #9. Fire Station #9 moved from its longtime location on No. Pine St. to 3502 Sixth Ave. in 1965. The modern one-story was a three bay frame designed by architects James Harris and William R. Reed. Emerging from one of the bays is the battalion chief's car; two fire engines are also side-by-side. The fire station would be dedicated on June 24, 1965. It was built with 1963 bond issue funds. (Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 174; TNT 6-23-65, D-2) TPL-10052

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 9 (Tacoma); Fire stations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Spanaway/Elk Plain Fire Department practices resuscitation techniques on one of their own on November 29, 1967. One fireman is being given oxygen by his fellow firefighters at the Spanaway fire station. They were part of Pierce County Fire District #7. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Opportunity.

Fire fighters--Spanaway; Fire engines & equipment--Spanaway; Artificial respiration;

Satterly - Teamsters Union. A small fire engine has Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation,"Number 1" painted on the side of the door and there are dials the valves on the side just in front of the door. A siren is attached over the hood and "Tacoma Division" is painted on the engine cover.

Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950;