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;

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;

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;

Gas mask drills and demonstrations are being given every Tacoma fireman this week. Following a lecture on the methods of combating noxious gases, a gas mask drill is held in a special smoke chamber filled with heavy sulphur fumes. The men are roped together to prevent their being separated in the dark room. A squad is shown carrying its instructor-victim, Lieut. Claude Bray, from the smoke chamber at Station No. 5. Left to right, Francis E. West, Earl P. McCormick, Arthur M. Kelchner, Lieut. Bray, Aldus F. Willis and Capt. Clarence A. Potter. (T. Times, 10/30/1935, p. 12).

Fire prevention; Fire engines & equipment; Gas masks; Poisons; Safety; Vocational education; Fire fighters--Tacoma; Fire stations--Tacoma;

In October of 1935, Bremerton firemen T.R. Tillett, left, and Assistant Fire Chief Ernest Yett polish their fire engine until they can see themselves. They use special mitts that fit over their hands to polish. The engine's siren is mounted near the upper fireman, with his knee on the driver's seat, and the engine's bell near the ground level fire fighter, with his foot on the running board. A reeled hose can be seen behind the bell. For every hour that they spend fighting a fire, the firemen spend an additional two checking and cleaning their equipment. When on duty, they had the choice between a 14 hour night shift and a 10 hour day shift. They also cleaned the Bremerton City Hall after the other workers left and filled in for the police department when it closed at midnight. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun. Also cataloged as image D404-2. (Bremerton Sun 10/11/1935, pg. 1)

Fire stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Bremerton--1930-1940; Tillett, T.R.; Yett, Ernest;

Three firefighters from the Bremerton Fire Department, left to right Ted Tillen, Glen Buettgenbach and Ernest F. Yett, were photographed in November of 1935 working like Santa's elves repairing a large pile of discarded toys in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season. In their spare time at the station, these firemen doubled as toy repairmen to make the holiday a happy one for needy children. In 1934, more than 1200 rejuvenated playthings were turned over to the Salvation Army for distribution and in 1935 that amount was expected to grow. Photograph ordered by the Bremerton Sun. (Bremerton Sun 12/13/1935, pg. 1)

Fire stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Bremerton--1930-1940; Toys; Tillen, Ted; Buettgenbach, Glen; Yett, Ernest;

The old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Company plant were destroyed by fire shortly after noon on Tuesday, January 7,1936. Flames and thick black smoke engulfed the warehouse building and dock while firemen and equipment on land fought to quell the fire. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs were also called into action and together, they managed to contain the fire to stop it from spreading to other nearby warehouses and docks. It was reported that a wood dust explosion caused the $260,000 fire. The Waterside Milling Co. specialized in the manufacture of wood flour, which was a finely powdered form of wood. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1-article; T.Times 1-8-36, p. 1+-article; TDL 1-8-36, p. 1-article & various photographs; 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smoke--Tacoma; Waterside Milling Co. (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On January 7, 1936, the City Fireboat and four Foss tugs were called in to fight the blaze at the old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. A passenger steamer, reported to be the Virginia V, was tied up at the adjacent Tacoma Municipal Dock. The Milling Co.'s wheat warehouse was gutted due to a spontaneous dust explosion. Flames shot 150 feet into the air and caused damages totaling $260,000. The fireboat and tugs kept the blaze under control with powerful streams of water, but the damage was too extensive and the structure could not be saved. (T. Times, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95, T.Times 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1) For additional images of this event, see series D638 images 1,4,8 & 9.

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. City fireboat and Foss tugs dousing flames at waterfront Waterside Milling Co. warehouse. Thick plumes of smoke drift into the Bay as the Tacoma Fire Department tries to staunch the enormous blaze. Wood dust exploded in the Waterside wheat warehouse causing the building and dock to be gutted; damages were set at $260,000. Thousands of residents lined the 11th St. Bridge and surrounding hillsides to watch the spectacular sight. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Old London Dock and the Waterside Milling Co. on Tacoma's waterfront were destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936. The City fireboat and four Foss tugs are shown fighting the enormous blaze which had earlier threatened the Municipal Dock, Western States grocery and Younglove grocery warehouse. The 2000 foot Waterside Milling Co. warehouse was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. The fire walls on the south end of the London Dock helped to stop the blaze from spreading in that direction. There were no reported fatalities among the sixteen workers on the dock at the time of the fire, although one man suffered burns. Total damages, according to the Tacoma Daily Ledger, were set at $260,000. The ruins of the Tacoma Hotel and the city skyline loom in the background. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Old London Dock destroyed by fire on January 7, 1936, as the Waterside Milling Co. wheat warehouse is engulfed by flames. The 2000 foot structure was divided into long sections separated by brick fire walls. It is believed that wood dust exploded causing the fire; fortunately, there were no fatalities listed. Damages were set at $260,000. The city fireboat, led by Chief Emory Whitaker, and four Foss tugs succeeded in successfully containing the blaze. (T. Times, 1-7-36, p. 1, TDL 1-8-36, p. 1, 100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 94-95).

Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireboats--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In June of 1936, Norman E. Whiteman, left, and Detmer H. Ketler, two Tacoma fire fighters from the Tacoma Avenue station, modeled and demonstrated fire equipment from the 1880s for the Tacoma Times. Whiteman wears the belt and hat of the "Alert" Hose Co. #2, a volunteer organization established in 1885. He is holding the hose belonging to the first two wheel hose cart owned by "New Tacoma." Ketler is garbed as one of "Our Boys," another volunteer firefighting unit from the 1880's. He shouts orders through the old chief's silver plated trumpet. (T Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1)

Fire fighters--Tacoma--1890-1900; Tacoma Fire Department (Tacoma); Whiteman, N.E.; Ketler, D.H.; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1890-1900;

At 6:30 p.m. on June 19, 1936, Tacoma Fire Truck Companies 1 & 2 staged a spectacular life line drill at 9th & Commerce to the delight and awe of spectators. It was all part of the first ever Northwest Fire College, held in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936. The two big trucks hoisted their 75 foot ladders overhead in an inverted "V" with life lines running on both sides for the fire fighters to run up, slide down and rescue victims. This photograph shows six firemen standing on a ladder truck marked T.F.D. No. 1. The firefighters are wearing white uniforms with wide canvas belts around their waists. Downtown crowds observe the training activity. (T. Times 6/16/1936, pg. 1)

Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma); Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ladders;

As part of the Fire College held in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936, a three hour fire fighting demonstration was held at the Stadium Bowl on June 19th. The finale was the setting fire of a 1 1/2 story structure. The fire was allowed to engulf the building; the Tacoma Fire Department then extinguished the flame. Here one man stands on a ladder at the second story window holding a can of gasoline; another man poses inside the window. They are getting the building ready to be sent up in flames.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The Spokane Washington Fire Department demonstrates the use of ladders during the Firefighting demonstration on June 19, 1936 that capped off the first ever Northwest Fire College. Paid and volunteer fire departments from Washington, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia met in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936 to share fire fighting techniques and information.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The Firefighters' Convention was held June 17-20, 1936 in Tacoma. The highlight was a nighttime firefighting demonstration at Stadium Bowl on June 19th. An audience of 25,000 crowded into the Bowl to watch the 3 hour free show, which included a display of 50 years of fire fighting equipment. An early fire fighting vehicle and current fire engine are parked on the field. A large crowd of spectators pack the concrete bleachers. Stadium High School and other buildings in background. (T. Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Firefighter's Convention demonstration of fire fighting techniques held June 19, 1936 at the Stadium Bowl. The three hour show went on into the evening. In this night scene, you can see the five story sample structure used by the Tacoma Fire Department to demonstrate techniques on tall buildings. A 1 1/2 story house was hauled onto the field and burned as a demonstration. Pictured are structures, fire trucks, ambulance, medical personnel and firefighters in mock demonstrations. (T. Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1; 6/19/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The highlight of the June 17-20, 1936, Firefighters College was the three hour demonstration at the Stadium Bowl. A 1 1/2 story house was hauled out to the field and torched so that Tacoma firefighters could extinguish the blaze. A shiver went through the crowd as the fire raced through the building, almost getting away from the firemen. (T. Times 6/19/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Six unidentified firemen from the combined Fire Departments of Puyallup and Auburn performed a life line drill at the firefighting demonstration held at the Stadium Bowl on June 19, 1936. The dramatic "rescue" from a specially built five story structure was one of the highlights of the three hour public performance of firefighting techniques presented during the First Northwest Fire College held from June 17-20. In this photograph the upper men are hooked to the life line and are sliding downward while holding the other men in a hand to hand grip. The audience for the presentation was estimated at 25,000.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Tacoma Fire Department Truck Company 2 performs a life saving drill in this photograph taken during the 3 hour firefighting demonstration at the Stadium Bowl on June 19, 1936. The demonstration was held for the public to enjoy the daring exploits of the Northwest firefighters at the conclusion of the Fire College held in Tacoma June 17-20. In this photograph, ladders are being used to access the interior of this mock up five story building. A dummy is being lowered on a platform; the platform is attached to and controlled by the aerial ladder on the fire truck.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

As a part of the firefighting technique demonstration at the Stadium Bowl on June 19, 1936, the combined fire departments of Puyallup and Auburn performed a drill with Pompier Ladders. The scaling ladders were invented in the late 1800s when tenements bloomed to house incoming immigrants. The tenement buildings were so tall that they were beyond the reach of conventional ladder companies. The Pompier Ladder was invented to save lives in these cases. It had a saw tooth hook on one end and rungs on the long end. The hook part was plunged through a window and hooked onto the sill. The firefighter could then climb up and into the window and the procedure could be repeated to access even higher windows.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Providing a little comic relief at the June 19th, 1936 Firefighting demonstration at the Stadium Bowl was the Skagit County fire department with their "day in the life of a fire fighter." In this photograph, the fire alarm siren has just sounded and the firemen rise from their bunks in their mock up station, preparing to respond to the call.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The highlight of the June 1936 Firefighters College was the 3 hour free show at the Stadium Bowl June 19th. 25,000 spectators crowded onto the concrete benches to watch fire departments, such as the Spokane department pictured here, perform drills. The Spokane Fire Department is demonstrating the use of ladders.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

On June 17-20, 1936, Tacoma hosted Northwest Firefighters at the first ever Fire College. The highlight for the public was the activities of June 19th. The evening began with an aerial truck drill on Broadway, followed by a parade from Broadway to the Stadium Bowl and a free three hour demonstration of fire fighting techniques. The audience was estimated to be 25,000. (T. Times 6/18/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

In June of 1936, Tacoma hosted the Northwest Firemen's Convention. The highlight was the evening demonstration June 19th of firefighting techniques at the Stadium Bowl. In this photograph an early fire hose truck is being prepared for action. A photographer adjusts a movie camera in the foreground, ready to capture the action. The three hour free show had thrills galore as Northwest firefighters showed off their most death defying techniques.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Members of the Central Washington Firemen's Association and the Auburn Fire Department pose in their life line uniforms on June 19, 1936. The hooks on the broad belts around their waists hook to the "life lines." The fireman can then climb up or slide down the life line. They are holding aloft Capt. Joe Cook of Seattle, the drill instructor. All of the firemen participated in the three hour demonstration of fire fighting techniques at the Stadium Bowl, held in conjunction with the Northwest Fire College in Tacoma.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Tacoma Fire Department ladder truck #2 demonstrates an aerial ladder drill at the Stadium Bowl firefighting technique demonstration on June 19, 1936. The 3 hour show was the most public event of the Northwest Fire College held in Tacoma June 17-20th. It is estimated that 25,000 viewed the spectacle from the concrete bleachers.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Ladders; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

On Friday evening, June 19th, 1936, Tacoma Truck Companies 1 & 2 staged a life line drill at 9th & Commerce to the delight of spectators. They hoisted their 75 foot ladders to meet overhead in an inverted "V" and ran life lines down both sides. Pictured are three firefighters climbing the high extension ladders. One man is sliding backwards down the life line. This exposition was all part of the hoopla surrounding the first ever Northwest Fire College. The Firefighters' Convention and Fire College was held in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936 at the Hotel Winthrop. (T. Times 6/16/1936, pg. 1)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Ladders; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

The Skagit Valley Fire Department takes a bow in their costumes at the end of their comic turn during the June 19, 1936 firefighting demonstration at the Stadium Bowl. The three hour show was the highlight of the Washington Fire Chiefs convention and Northwest Fire College held in Tacoma June 17-20, 1936.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma);

Tacoma played host to the first Northwest Fire College June 17-20, 1936. The school was an opportunity for professional and volunteer fire departments from across the Northwest to train together and share techniques. The remains of the burned out Tacoma Hotel had been left intact for training. On Thursday, June 18th, 1936, eerie red lights once again glowed inside the hotel as Tacoma's various fire departments sped to the scene. The first floor is well-lit in this night-time exposure. Automobiles are parked in front of the fenced-off hotel. The Balfour dock, destroyed in a January 1936 fire, was also left intact for training. (T. Times 6/19/1936)

Fire fighters--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northwest Fire College (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);