On November 6, 1915, the “largest fire in Raleigh’s history” threatened an entire city block, as the News & Observer and other buildings burned. Two firemen escaped death, as a building collapsed upon them, as they sprayed water from a rooftop. Windows melted across the street, flying embers started fires. Sound familiar? The 6:05 a.m. blaze …
Continue reading ‘Spectacular Blaze Sweeps Four Buildings – November 1915’ »
Last week, the Durham Fire Department activated their new Station 9, at 1648 Midland Terrace. It was placed in service on April 13 at about 9:00 a.m. The single-story engine house as three bays and 8,908 square-feet. It houses Engine 9. The facility cost $4,321,600. Features include separate accommodations for eight firefighters per shift, fitness room, captain’s …
This is a blog archives posting from January 2014. The page is corrupted on the old site, so we’re re-posting here. January 2014 Last week’s North Raleigh News (and Midtown Raleigh News) featured an informative article by Colin Campbell about the “ghost roads” of Falls Lake. He writes about barricaded sections of Possum Track, Choplin, …
This is a blog archives posting from June 2011. The page is corrupted on the old site, so we’re re-posting here. And a random artifact for your Monday enjoyment. This is the constitution and by-laws of the original incarnation (PDF) of the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association (web site). Same is scanned from a photocopy of the …
April 17But wait, Batman, one of these isn’t Wilmington, NC. Top left, the Ford/Swab rescue is Wilmington, DE. Thanks to our readers on Facebook for that correction. April 16Found for sale on eBay are these pictures of vintage Wilmington rigs. We’ve seen some of these before, in similar postings. Scroll down for a list of …
Continue reading ‘Vintage Wilmington Fire Apparatus Photos – 1960s, 1970s Rigs’ »
This is a blog archives posting from October 23, 2009. The page is corrupted on the old site, so we’re re-posting here and with some updates. For your Friday enjoyment, let’s look at early fire helmets in the Capitol City. During the volunteer era, a few firemen had helmets. Such as this Carnes High Eagle …
Continue reading ‘The Evolution of the Raleigh Fire Helmet – 1920s to 1980s’ »
From another history buff, Kirk Beard of Kannapolis, comes one of the neatest vintage pictures we’ve seen in a while. Group photo of Mecklenburg County fire apparatus and vehicles circa 1960s. Picture is courtesy of Vicki Robbins, Beard’s aunt. He has deep roots in Mecklenburg County. His grandfather Robert Beard was a volunteer firefighter at …
Continue reading ‘Vintage Group Photo of Mecklenburg County Fire Departments’ »
This is a blog archives posting from September 5, 2014. The page is corrupted on the old site, so we’re re-posting here. Here’s a treat of a treat. Abandoned bridge over Crabtree Creek, just west of Crabtree Valley Mall. Specifically opposite Morehead Drive at Glenwood Avenue. Can be accessed both from the sidewalk on Glenwood, …
The Cary Fire Department yesterday received their new Engine 9, a 2017 Pierce Enforcer 1500/500. It was delivered to Atlantic Emergency Solutions in Fayetteville on March 30, and arrived at Station 1 on Tuesday. Lee Wilson paid a visit and snapped this picture. See his photo album. Lee Wilson photo It replaces a 2003 Pierce …
Continue reading ‘Cary Receives New Pierce Pumper… And Some Trivia’ »
April 6Transcription of the old articles added, scroll to the bottom. April 2Speaking of great fires in the city’s history, did you know that the original State Capitol was destroyed by fire? The building was called the State House and it burned one morning in June 1831. Jacob Marling painting, 1818 Awful Conflagration! June 21, 1831. Tuesday morning. …
Continue reading ‘Destruction of the State House – June 21, 1831’ »