Men passing buckets of water up to roof of the M. Kibe house in Fife, which was saved from a disastrous fire at Fife Corners. Fire is visible behind house. Photograph was taken near Milton Avenue (20th St. E.) and West Side Dairy Rd. (54th Ave. E.) near the site of present Fife Swimming Pool; at the time of the fire, Fife Corners was located a half mile south of Andre's Market and the Century Ballroom. A property loss of $25,000 was attributed to the wide ranging fire. Fire fighting efforts were hampered by a lack of water and fire fighting equipment. (T. Times 5/10/1935, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

Fires--Fife--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Fife--1930-1940; Kibe, M.--Homes & haunts; Disasters--Fife--1930-1940;

Smoke fills the air as part of Fife Corners burned down in May of 1935. Strong southwest winds spread burning shingles from building to building, causing damages of over $20,000. Residents and volunteers fought heroically with buckets of water and soaked gunny sacks but at least eight buildings were destroyed and many others damaged. The lack of fire fighting equipment and enough water hampered efforts to put out the fires. (T.Times 5-10-35, p. 1-article & various photographs; TDL 5-10-35, p. 1-article)

Fires--Fife--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Fife--1930-1940; Disasters--Fife--1930-1940; Smoke--Fife;

Weary and stunned residents of Fife Corners check out the remnants of homes and businesses demolished by fire on May 9, 1935. The air is still thick with smoke as eight buildings were destroyed and many others damaged by the fire which was carried by strong winds. Although residents and volunteers tried their best, and managed to save or minimize damage to some buildings, their efforts were hampered by lack of water and fire fighting equipment. (T.Times 5-10-35, p. 1-article & various photographs; TDL 5-10-35, p. 1-article)

Fires--Fife; Fire fighting--Fife--1930-1940; Disasters--Fife--1930-1940; Smoke--Fife;

Exterior view of Tacoma Fire Station No. 2, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church on left side, Tacoma's Fire Department fleet is parked along Tacoma Avenue South. The fleet includes: Peter Pirsch aerial ladder trucks, Pirsch 1250-GPM pumpers, 1000-GPM Mack pumpers, 1000-GPM pumpers, 75 foot aerial ladder truck, 750-GPM Type 85 Mack pumpers, hose wagon, line truck and a light line truck; in 1948 all staff cars were replaced. TPL-10080

Fire stations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Ladders; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 2 (Tacoma);

Tacoma Fire Department has been in existance for many many years, the first paid fire department was established in 1885. Since this time the department has dramatically increased to help meet the needs of the community. Exterior view of Tacoma Fire Station No. 2, located at 2701 Tacoma Avenue South, seven fire trucks, three have their all-metal ladders up; Mount Rainier in background. TPL-9236

Fire stations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Ladders; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 2 (Tacoma);

In 1944 the Tacoma Fire Department began an extensive modernization program aimed at upgrading its aging fleet of fire fighting equipment. This picture, taken in June of 1948, shows the fire departments impressive collection of trucks lined up along Tacoma Avenue South in front of Station No. 2. The fleet includes 3 Peter Pirsch 1250-GPM Pumpers with aerial all-steel ladders. TPL-10051

Fire stations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Ladders; Fire fighters--Tacoma; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 2 (Tacoma);

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);

ca. 1955. View in 1955 of the tall doors to the garage bay where the fire engines are stored at Tacoma Fire Department's Engine Company #17. A reader notes that although signage over the doors indicated that Truck Co. #5 also operated from this station, the Tacoma Fire Department never established a staffed Truck 5 out of this station or anywhere else and still operates to this day with only four ladder companies city-wide. In addition to room for a thousand gallon pump truck and 75 ft aerial ladder truck, the building contained accommodations for 18 firemen and six officers. Lighting in the apparatus room came from large clerestory windows. Radiant heating panels were installed in the floors over which the trucks stood, to keep them warm and ready in all types of weather. The station had an enclosed outside garden court adjacent to the living quarters. It was closed when Engine Co. #17 moved to Fircrest. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information provided by a reader)

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

The Gig Harbor fire department's trucks, firemen and firefighting apparatus posed for a November 2, 1955, evening photograph, outside a local Chevrolet dealership. In 1955, the volunteer fire department of Pierce County Fire District #5, headed by fire chief Charles L. Summers, answered 14 calls with only one major fire. One new and one used truck, perhaps the ones shown in the above picture, were added to help firefighters. A new station was built in Arletta to cut down on the time to answer calls. Firefighters presumably would have taken care of fires and other emergencies in the peninsula area. Photograph ordered by the Gig Harbor Firemen's Association. (TNT 1-22-56, B-7)

Fire engines & equipment--Gig Harbor; Fire fighters--Gig Harbor; Gig Harbor Firemen's Association (Gig Harbor); Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1950-1960;

ca. 1940. Ground level view of volunteer fire members and dog aboard Model T firetruck with ladder. Vehicle is parked "P.F.D." which may stand for the Parkland Fire Department.

Fire fighters; Fire engines; Ford automobile; Community Service; Dogs;

This photograph of Fire Chief Emory N. Whitaker was taken at Station # 2 on October 17, 1941. Mr. Whitaker served as the chief for Tacoma from May 1932 until September 9, 1944, his 63rd birthday. His career with the department began in 1903 when horses were used to pull steam-pressure fire engines and red hose-wagons. He worked his way up through the ranks to Chief. Born in Utica, NY in 1881, he died in December of 1958 at the age of 77. (T. Times 10/11/1941, pg. 1)

Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Whitaker, Emory; Fire stations--Tacoma--1940-1950

This is the aftermath of a spectacular fire that broke out on May 9, 1959, on the Tideflats at the plant for the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. The fire, the year's most spectacular, completely destroyed the plant and the equipment and materials of the eight smaller companies that occupied the building. The financial loss in the fire was estimated at $400, 000. Sixteen fire companies aided by a fireboat and off duty firemen battled the blazes, whipped up by a 50 mph southwesterly wind, to keep them from spreading to other volatile industries, such as Buffelen Woodworking, the tanks at Reichhold Chemical and the Rock Wool Co. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1-article & alternate photograph & 5/10/1959, pg 1 & alternate photograph)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

The raging fire at the old Tacoma Sash & Door Co. plant broke out in a building where several people employed by Nordlund & Silva Boat Co. were working on small pleasure boats. All individuals escaped without injury. However, in the two hour fight to contain the blaze, 21 fireman were overcome by smoke or exhaustion or suffered acid burns. The flames at time shot to an estimated 150 feet in height, fed by the mahogany, school desks and fertilizer stored at the plant. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1, 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma firemen bravely try to contain the blaze at the buildings formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on the Tideflats. Over 21 firemen were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation, exhaustion and acid burns. The fire was fought by sixteen companies aided by a fireboat and off duty fireman. The fire did over $400,000 in damage to the structure and the inventories of the eight small businesses that occupied the buildings. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

Firemen fight bravely to subdue the flames at the old Tacoma Sash & Door Co. plant on the Tideflats. Fire broke out at approximately 11 a.m. on May 9, 1959 and raged for over 2 hours, sending sparks flying far enough to start a brush fire on a Northeast Tacoma hillside across the Hylebos Waterway. Firemen from 16 companies responded to the blaze and Fire Chief Fisk sent out a call for all off duty firemen to respond as well. At stake were the surrounding factories and plants, Buffelen Woodworking, Acme, Reichhold Chemical, Justus Co. and Rock Wool Co. All of these companies worked with highly flammable materials, but sustained only light fire damage. Completely lost were the materials and stored inventories of the eight companies occupying the sash and door plant. Ironically, the buildings were for sale. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1; 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

The plant formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on the Tideflats was destroyed by a $400,000, 2 hour fire on May 9, 1959. The building had been abandoned by the previous company and was now occupied by 8 smaller businesses, including Nordlund & Silva Boat Co., Educators Manufacturing, Nu Life Fertilizer, City Millwork, General Hardwood Co. and Thunderbird Water Ski Co. All of the businesses suffered extensive losses, most were insured to some extent. The fire was started by an oil burner and tank that were installed without the Fire Department's knowledge. Three-fourths of the sprinkler system had been turned off a few days before the fire due to its leakage on desks stored in the plant by Educators Manufacturing. Firefighters kept the flames from spreading to surrounding plants. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1; 5/10/1959, pg. 1, TNT 5/19/1959, pg. 3)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

Firefighters from 16 companies fought for two hours to subdue the blazes consuming the plant that formerly housed the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. At times the flames reached an estimated 150 feet in height and a brisk 50 mph wind blew sparks into the firemen's eyes and damaged roof tops of surrounding businesses. The heat was so intense that workers at the Buffelen plant 100 feet away could not stand to be outside. After the fire was subdued, 3 chimneys of the original structure were all that was left standing. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

Firemen pause in the fight against the raging fire that destroyed the plant formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. Firemen from 16 companies answered the call that came at around 11:30a.m. on May 9, 1959 to fight the fire on the Tideflats. Firemen battled the blaze for more than two hours before containing it. The building, which was occupied by eight small businesses, was totally destroyed. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

The Fircrest volunteer Fire Department poses with their ladder truck for a group picture.

Fircrest Fire Department (Fircrest); Fire engines & equipment--Fircrest; Fire fighters--Fircrest;

The Fircrest and University Place volunteer Fire Departments posed with their ladder trucks for a group picture in December of 1941. The UP fire truck on the right was recently purchased with donations from the citizens of UP and the other areas served by the department. The reconditioned commercial truck was equipped with hose, an extension ladder, chemical fire extinguishers, a 500 gallon water tank and tools. The UP fire department was under the direction of chief Lesley B. McGaw, who served as chief until he retired in 1966. (T.Times 12/18/1941, pg. 5)

Fircrest Fire Department (Fircrest); Fire engines & equipment--Fircrest; Fire fighters--Fircrest; University Place Volunteer Fire Department (University Place); Fire engines & equipment--University Place; Fire fighters--University Place;

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;