Friday July 5, 1957 - Fire In Turbotville PA
For the second time in less than 60 years, "spontaneous combustion" in a barn caused the destruction of a large part of the town of Turbotville. In 1900 it was a load of hay that suddenly caught fire, burning down 1/4 of the town. In 1957, the fire began in the second floor of a barn where items had been stored, but not touched for close to three years. The fire quickly spread through four homes, and two businesses. The newspapers reported that it was the worst tragedy in the community since 1900.
The Headlines Read:
$200,000 Loss In Fire At Turbotville
Firemen From 7 Communities Battle Flames That Destroys 6 Buildings, Badly Damage 2 others - 2 Firefighters Overcome At Scene - Three Families Left Homeless - Power & Telephone Lines Knocked Out - Cause Of Blaze Not Determined
Flames were so high that when they first jumped to main street, they set trees ablaze 75 feet away.
It was speculated that some items on the second floor of the barn farthest from the store had heated up under the hot tin roof and began to smolder. Mrs Smith estimated that it had been three years since anyone had been in that part of the barn.
Power and telephone lines were cut by the fire, leaving the town without electricity for an hour, and without phones until 9pm that evening.
Fire companies from Milton, Muncy, Montoursville, Watsontown, Danville and Washingtonville joined Turbotville in batling the blaze. Ed Rake from Washingtonville and Raymond Long of Muncy were rushed by ambulance to the hospital, after being overcome by smoke.
The Properties Lost Included:Smiths Village Store on Main Street
Residence of Mr & Mrs James Smith, owners of the store
Residence of Mr & Mrs George Somers, Parents of Mrs Smith, lived adjacent to store
Residence of Mr & Mrs Frank J. Dildine, home next to Somers
Residence of Mrs Susie Saul, located across from the store, had roof set ablaze by embers
Small garage operated by Ray Hackett, located between Somers & Dildine Homes, also leveled.
The grocery store had been purchased by Mr & Mrs Somers in 1922, and after Smith married their daughter, Clara Somers, he and his new wife assisted in operating the business. In recent years, Smith had taken over the store completely.
Dildine had formerly operated the service station next to his home, but in recent years had been employed by the Hackenburg firm. Hackett took over the station from him.
Read About The 1900 Fire Here:
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https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2020/07/turbotville-pennsylvania.html
And More Stories, Photos, & History From Other Local Towns Here:
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/p/history.html
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I've heard people talk about this and Somer's Grocery Store being burned. What I didn't realize is that the fire affected 1/4 of the town. Again, Heather, thank you for posting!
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