The Steer Steak House, Johnny’s Motor Lodge, and the Capital Inn

On July 28, 1965, the Steer Steak House at 1625 Louisburg Road burned. Or as the road was later named, North Boulevard, and even later named, Capital Boulevard. Fire was reported at 3:55 a.m. by a passing motorist. Crews battled the blaze in a heavy rainstorm. The one-story structure (plus basement) suffered extensive damage and …

Continue reading ‘The Steer Steak House, Johnny’s Motor Lodge, and the Capital Inn’ »

Vintage Brochure – Fire House Museum of Old Salem

Bought this on eBay, an old brochure from the Fire House Museum of Old Salem, NC. That’s the original half of Winston-Salem, and where the state’s first fire engines are still displayed. Delivered in 1785, the two hand-pulled, hand-powered pumping engines were built one year after the town’s tavern burned. The metal parts were purchased …

Continue reading ‘Vintage Brochure – Fire House Museum of Old Salem’ »

Vintage Photo of West Mecklenburg 1964 Ford Tanker… And Other Old Photos

Found for sale on eBay, a vintage photo scanned from a 35mm slide, of West Mecklenburg Fire Department’s old Tanker 3, which was a 1964 Ford F-700/Irvin’s Body Shop (!), 500/1000. Originally served Moores Chapel FD, which merged with Wilkinson Boulevard FD in 1984. The new entity was named West Mecklenburg FD. Click to enlarge: …

Continue reading ‘Vintage Photo of West Mecklenburg 1964 Ford Tanker… And Other Old Photos’ »

Hurricane Matthew Memories – Wake County Engine Company Strike Team

On Thursday, October 13, 2016, a Wake County engine company strike team was dispatched to Bladen County, to assist with flood relief efforts and emergency responses in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. Apex, Bay Leaf, Eastern Wake, Fairview, Knightdale, Stony Hill, and Wake Forest each sent a single engine plus members. Notes this News & …

Continue reading ‘Hurricane Matthew Memories – Wake County Engine Company Strike Team’ »

Restaurant Burns During Busy Night at NC State Fair, October 1964

On Tuesday night, October 13, 1964, a restaurant building at the fairgrounds was destroyed during a busy night at the North Carolina State Fair. Thousands were attending the fair, and watched with rapt attention as a “portable” restaurant was consumed by flames. The $100,000 structure was a loss, and the blaze likely inspired the creation …

Continue reading ‘Restaurant Burns During Busy Night at NC State Fair, October 1964’ »

Car Strikes Durham Fire Station, Fire Captain Narrowly Escapes Injury or Worse

How’s that for a dramatic headline? Dateline Durham on Monday about 4:15 p.m., where Capt. Andrew Johnson had been sitting on a bed at Fire Station 14 on Umstead Road. Thirty seconds later, a car crashed through the wall and struck the very spot where he’d been sitting, reported the Herald-Sun. Herald-Sun photo The four-door …

Continue reading ‘Car Strikes Durham Fire Station, Fire Captain Narrowly Escapes Injury or Worse’ »

Matthew in Raleigh – Firefighters, Water Rescues, and Rescued Rescuers

Contents Part I – Hurricane Matthew Part II – Old Stage Road Part III – Rose Lane Part IV – Numbers Part V – Wake County Water Rescues Part VI – Sources Part I – Hurricane Matthew On Saturday, October 8, heavy rain and winds pelted Raleigh and Wake County as Hurricane Matthew passed along …

Continue reading ‘Matthew in Raleigh – Firefighters, Water Rescues, and Rescued Rescuers’ »

Water Rescue Teams Operating in North Carolina After Hurricane Matthew

Let’s start a list of the swift-water rescue teams operating in North Carolina since Saturday and the arrival of Hurricane Matthew: Apex FD ARR-MAC (Arrington FD, Mar-Mac FD) Asheville FD (as TF2) Cary FD Carolina Beach FD Chapel Hill FD (+ as TF8) Charlotte FD (as TF3 and NCHART) Clayton FD Cumberland County SO (as …

Continue reading ‘Water Rescue Teams Operating in North Carolina After Hurricane Matthew’ »

Burlington Opens Sixth Fire Station

The Burlington Fire Department recently opened a sixth fire station. Located at 3644 Bonnar Bridge Parkway, Station 6 was activated on Thursday, September 29. It houses Engine 6, Truck 2, and Battalion 2. Engine 6 is a 2008 Spartan Gladiator/Smeal pumper, 1500/750. Truck 2 is a 2010 Spartan Gladiator/Smeal rear-mounted aerial ladder, 2000/350/105-foot. Battalion 2 …

Continue reading ‘Burlington Opens Sixth Fire Station’ »