Castner Mill Fire, February, 1944

Fire at the Former Castner Mill,   335 Rose Street, , Williamsport, February 10th 1944

"Fire resulting in a loss of $25,000 last night [February 10th] destroyed  

three sectons of the two and three story frame buildings, which have been known for more than half a century as the Castner Mirror and Picture Frame Company, at Rose Street and Vine Avenue.  The fire gave the city it's first general alarm for several years."

At the time of the fire, the southeast section of the buildings was occupied by Williams Tire shop, owned by Leo Williams.  It contaned a large stock of used tired, rubber cement materials, and tools.

The northwest section of the building was occupied by the Radin Shop, manufacturer of picture and frame and novelties.

Neighbors at on the Rose street side noticed the fire and called in the alarm, but mistakenly gave the wrong name for the building.  Firefighters responded to the Williamsport Mirror Company, on East 3rd and Railway streets.

Quickly finding that the fire was instead at the old Castner plant, the fire company went to that location.

There Fire Chief Michael E. Clark discovered that the sprinkler system had been turned off, giving the fire a good start.

Five freight trains were held up, as streets were blocked to train traffic by hose lines.  

"Boy scouts did service by clasping hands and forming human fire lines to hold the big crows back out of danger.  Many auxilary fireman responded and had their first real taste of fire fishing. 

Extra city police responded to aid those at the fire and auxillary police were on the scene to help control the crow and direct traffic."

Fire companies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5 and ladder company responded to the alarm. Loyalsock sent is floodlight truck to light up dark areas.

The first big fire at the Castner plant was in 1878, with smaller fires in other years.