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.);

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.);

The most deadly fire in Tacoma's history started early Saturday morning on February 17, 1945 at about 2 a.m. when the Maefair Apartments, 721 Fawcett Avenue, burst into flames. At the fire inquest held in March it was determined that 19 people died in the fire. Most of the occupants in the three-story plus basement brick faced structure were war workers, soldiers and their families, including many children. The fire was believed to have been caused by an explosion in the Hamilton Candy Company located in the building's basement. Flying embers were carried by high winds throughout many blocks in the surrounding areas but steady rain and snow flurries helped to protect against new fires. The glare from flames was visible at Browns Point across the bay, bright enough to wake sleepers. Later in the morning of the 17th firemen were still pouring water on the smoldering debris of the gutted building. (T. Times, 2/17/45, p. 1-article; Talbot: 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington p. 102-104)

Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Disasters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Maefair Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Maefair Apartment fire is the deadliest in Tacoma's history. Before dawn on February 17, 1945 fire broke out in the Hamilton Candy Company at 721 Fawcett Avenue. The fire quickly spread upstairs to the Maefair. By the time the first alarm was received at 2:12 a.m. the building was already engulfed in flames. Twenty two of the buildings 85 occupants died before they could be removed from the burning four-story brick building. (T. Times, 2/17/45, p. 1).

Fire fighting--Tacoma; Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Disasters--Tacoma; Maefair Apartments (Tacoma);

A fire of undetermined origin, completely destroyed the privately owned McChord Dry Cleaning plant near Ponders corner in Lakewood. The Lakewood and McChord Field Fire department responded to the call. View of site where McChord Dry Cleaning Shop previously stood; the fire completely destroyed the business; no one was hurt (T.N.T., 5/12/49, p. A-9).

Fires--Lakewood--1940-1950; Disasters--Lakewood--1940-1950; Fire fighters--Lakewood; Fire fighting--Lakewood; Fire engines & equipment--Lakewood--1940-1950; McChord Dry Cleaning Shop (Lakewood);

ca. 1955. Nalley Valley Fire Station, Engine Company #17 located in the industrial section near So. 35th St. and Union Ave. The station was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, architect, of frame construction. It contained an area of 5,200 sq. ft. The outside was dark stained textured plywood contrasting with light colored stucco. It was Tacoma's first one floor fire station. The station began operation in March of 1955. Information received from a reader indicates that this station is now closed. Engine #17 was relocated to the City of Fircrest's fire station and that station re-designated as Station #17 when Tacoma assumed fire protection responsibility for Fircrest. The building at 3471 South 35th still exists and remains owned by the Tacoma Fire Department. It has been heavily remodeled and no longer resembles a fire station from street view. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information obtained from a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

Fire fighters are battling the fire at Harold E. Dahl Company from ladders set against the rear of the building. Three fire fighters are standing on the same ladder, possibly to help hold and lift the hose, with another standing at the bottom. A ladder truck provides access to the roof of the building. The Harold E. Dahl Company sold office supplies, desks, typrwriters and safes. TPL-9237

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Harold E. Dahl Co. (Tacoma); Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma;