Allison H & L No. 2

So sad to hear the passing of our good friend Joe Blackie Kufrovich. Blackie was a staple in the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society. It never failed to come around the corner and see the garage door up with the guys sitting there and a big smile on Blackies face, or to see the same reaction when you would come across the SHFS stand at Pump Primers every year. Rest In Peace big guy. The Allison H&L members are thinking of all of our Schuylkill brothers during this time.

Tis the season! The tree is up and we are ready for Christmas. Actually we will leave this baby up until probably April!!

To all Progress 32 Alumni Brotherhood, past and present. In very recent discussion with Chief's Dick Cray and Jason Lloyd and in consideration of the great unc...ertainty of what the next couple of months may hold with these trying times due to the pandemic, it was agreed to postpone the annual Christmas gathering until spring sometime and hope and pray for much better conditions so that we may all gather again at the Allison Hook & Ladder House in brotherhood and fellowship. See more

Kris Kringle. . .32 Years ago. . .December 1, 1988 This is yet another story you WON’T read about in the Dave Houseal’s latest book THE REILY CHRONICLES. . .so ...here’s a brief report of what occurred 32 years ago today. Those were some hot times in Old Harrisburg! At 0227 hrs. the Uptown B Platoon companies were sent out on what turned out to be yet another arson fire set in a pile of wood in the second floor rear bedroom of a three story frame vacant house at 1418 N. Sixth St. The arriving companies quickly knocked down the fire with a two and a half gallon can (pressurized water extinguisher). The significance of this very minor event was the end of two weeks of numerous arson jobs in the Mid-Uptown area that had Harrisburg’s Bravest very busy and the city on edge. Christopher Lange, age 23, also known as Kris Kringle, who listed his address as the Bethesda Mission, 611 Reily St. was arrested on charges of arson for the above fire and probably most of the fires in the previous two weeks. He was caught at the phone booth at 6th and Reily Streets with dye all over him that the arson investigators placed at 1418-20 N. 6th. The B Platoon was working. Later that day. . . at 1941 hrs. the A Platoon companies were toned out to a reported fire at 562 Forrest St. Arriving companies found a well-involved vacant two story frame building. Supply lines were dropped in the street and two hand lines pulled but the building was gutted. This was another suspected arson fire but obviously not related to the Kris Kringle fires. The job was marked under control at 2023 with the first alarm companies out almost two hours. Loss was listed at $5,000. Less than one hour later at 2338 hrs. while cleaning up equipment at the firehouse from the Forrest Street job, an automatic fire alarm (AFA) came in for the Jackson Building, (1401 N. 6th St.- a highrise for the elderly) quickly backed up by a phone call for a reported fire in Apt 811J. Fire caused by careless smoking gutted the apartment. Heavy smoke and smoke damage to floors 8 thru 13 was incurred. Water damage was done to floors 8 and 7. Numerous doors were damaged in forcible entry. Fire was under control within a short time at 2338 but the companies were out nearly four hours. Three alarms were struck bringing outside companies to the city. Fire was showing out the rear windows on arrival. Two hand lines were connected to standpipes and used. Over 100 persons rescued/ evacuated from upper floors. A Platoon did a highly commendable job at this fire. A Harrisburg Police Officer was also rescued from the 13th floor unconscious due to smoke inhalation and eight residents taken to both hospitals. -------------------------------------------------------- Make sure you pick up your copy of THE REILY CHRONICLES soon in person at the Pa. National Fire Museum (open Friday thru Sunday-with extended days the two weeks surrounding Christmas). Proceeds benefit the Pa. National Fire Museum. Makes a great Christmas present for those hard to get for firefighter relatives and friends! The author. . .Dave Houseal. . . will be in this Friday to happily personalize your book. Hours are 10-4 p.m. All of his books are available on line at the fire museum website located at- PNFM.org or Davehousealbooks.com.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Allison

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!NOW AVAILABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!