The Rishel Furniture Fire, November 1965 Hughesville Pa

November 4th 1965, The Rishel Furniture Plant which took up a full city block north of the fairgrounds, was completely destroyed by fire.

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Lacquer barrels shot 50 feet into the air when they exploded, and  the homes on 3rd St had blistered paint from the heat

The fire began at 12:30 am, half an hour after the second shift had left the plant.  Flames could be seen for a distance of 20 miles.  High winds fanned the fire.  One witness reported explosions shot off pieces of the metal roof which came down as far away as Trick’s garage.

I believe, but am not certain, that the photos of the fire  were taken by Garman Zehner.

A dozen homes nearby suffered from paint blistering, smoke damage, and small rooftop fires.  Three homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Nince companies and 300 volunteers fought the blaze, with 36 pieces of apparatus.

“Firemen shooting water on the blaze were cooled by fellow firemen further to the rear, dousing water on them. Their helmets were so hot, steam could be seen when the water hit their head gear,” said Garman Zehner

There were no fatalities, and no serious injuries.

The entire structure was leveled to the ground, and was a complete loss.

At the time of the fire, Rishels already had a second plant in Williamsport.  Within a week of the fire, many of the 190 employees had been transferred to the Williamsport factory.

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The Williamsport Plant had suffered a fire

 4 years prior, in July of 1961

The Williamsport Plant, 1908 Advertisement

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The Hughesville Plant

BEFORE THE FIRE

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Rishel's Factory Before The Fire

The J.K. Rishel Company began as a planing mill, owned by James Laird in the 1850s.  In 1869 Dr J.K. Rishel, Laird's son in law  Dr J.K. Rishel formed a partnership with his brother in law John Laird. The Rishel furniture factory produced bedroom suites.   In 1896, Ralph T. Smith of Muncy joined the company.

The factory was located at the foot of Academy Street between Third and Fourth Streets, the current site of the Friend’s Church.

At one time Rishel advertised that it was the largest factory in the united states, with a combined floor space of 295,932 sq feet.  It consisted of two buildings, both 3 story structures.  A 75 foot enclosed conveyor belt connected the two buildings.

By 1900, J.K. Rishel had merged with the Otto furniture plant in Williamsport.  The company then began producing matched dining room suites as well as bedroom suites.

An ornament given to employees at Christmas time

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EXAMPLES & ADVERTISEMENTS

Rishel furniture can be found in many antique and resale stores.

Personal Note - after looking at various pieces, and knowing the company was in Hughesville, I wonder if my bedroom set, which came out of the old Muncy hotel, may have been made by the J.K. Rishel Factory.  I have not found any markings on the furniture, but it would be an early piece from the company, if made by them.

1933 - Philadelphia Showroom Closing

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November 15 1965