Bower Hill VFD

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: January 2, 1988: Bower Hill VFD, along with all other fire departments in the South Hills, prepares to face a critical water shortage because of a fuel oil spill into the Monongahela River at Floreffe in Jefferson Borough. The spill has forced Western Pennsylvania Water to shut down their Hays Mine Pump Station, cutting the water supply to the region by more than half. A water buffalo for drinking water is set up at Bower Hill's fire station.

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: January 1, 1945: The Fern Garden Roadhouse at Greentree Road and Cochran Road is damaged severely by a fire that started in the wiring of a washroom. Firefighters from Scott Township's three fire departments are assisted by Mt. Lebanon, and extinguish the fire in about an hour. The three-story building was built in 1903, and was known originally as the Hope Valley Hotel. It later was renamed the Raybrook Inn, before becoming the Fern Garden Roadhouse in 1940. Extensively remodeled after the fire, it will be known later as The Colony, Cafe Euro, Jasmine Mediterranean Restaurant, Andora Catering and Club Colony. In 2021, the building houses an insurance agency.

Say what? I can become a firefighter and it won't cost me a penny!? All you need is my time and dedication? Yep, you read that correctly! We've got you covered! It's summer and there's not a better time to STEP UP and make that difference. Call or email us today to speak with a recruiter.... Phone: 412-221-3497 Email: [email protected]

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 31, 2016: Scott Township firefighters make quick work of a fire in a residential structure on Greenbriar Dive. The building was equipped with an automatic fire alarm system, and the system worked as intended, allowing firefighters to extinguish the fire in a few minutes. The fire started in a bathroom fan fixture and spread to the attic. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 13, 2011: Scott Township EMS takes delivery of the first of two new 2011 Chevrolet ambulances with Braun Express modules. (The other is delivered on December 19th.) http://www.bowerhillfire.com/vehicle30

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 29, 1943: Bower Hill responds along with Glendale, East Carnegie and Kirwan Heights to assist Carnegie Fire Department at a fire on East Main Street. Four buildings are heavily damaged in the fire, and three occupants of one of them needed to be rescued by firefighters.

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 13, 2009: An unexpected freezing rain results in five motor vehicle collisions on Vanadium Road in less than fifteen minutes. Bower Hill VFD shelters stranded motorists at the fire station for about two hours, until temperatures warm enough for the road to be passable.

Santa is Coming to Bower Hill on the fire truck next Saturday December 19th starting at 9:30 AM!!!!! Covid Restrictions will be followed...

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 27, 1931: Bower Hill, Glendale, Kirwan Heights and Mt. Lebanon all respond to assist Bridgeville when a building at what is now the corner of Bower Hill Road and McLaughlin Run Road is blown up by a bomb planted in the restaurant and store owned by Frank Campinelli. Bridgeville police are investigating the connection to a possible mob vendetta. Gas from lines ruptured by the explosion catch nearby buildings on Baldwin Street and McLaughlin Run Road on fire. The Campinellis are out of town for the holidays, visiting relatives in New York. Three other people, residents of nearby buildings, are injured. In all, three buildings are completely destroyed, and fifteen others are damaged. https://www.facebook.com//a.246800088766/1689877171124963/

Today in Bower Hill VFD History : December 25, 1928: Bower Hill is one of many departments called to assist Heidelberg at a massive fire in the plant of the Carnegie Refining Company. The fire does over $500,000 in damage (worth about $6.8 Million today.) The fire started on Christmas morning, and appeared to be extinguished by late afternoon. It flared up again during the night, and the fire departments responded again. Two fire fighters from Fleming Park VFD in Stowe Township are killed when their fire engine crashes over a hillside in Ingram in the dense fog while they are responding to the call, and eight other Fleming Park firefighters are hospitalized. One Glendale firefighter is injured at the scene and is taken to Presbyterian Hospital.

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 12, 2015: Twenty-two people: 13 adults and nine children, are burned out of their homes by a fire that destroys one triplex residence and damages another triplex and one single-family home on Noblestown Road in East Carnegie. Scott Township firefighters, aided by many mutual aid departments, fight the fire for three hours before it is under control, and are on scene for several hours more for overhaul. No firefighters or civilians are injured, but one 96-year-old resident was transported by Scott Township EMS to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. https://www.wtae.com//multiple-homes-damaged-in-sc/7476008#

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 12, 1999: A shed in St. Ignatius Cemetery on Swallow Hill Road is destroyed by what appears to be a deliberately-set fire. It is the third fire in three years in properties owned by the newly-formed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish that incorporates five former Catholic parishes in Carnegie Borough, Collier Township and Scott Township. All of the fires have been directed against property formerly owned by the ethnic Polish parishes, St. Ignatius and Immaculate Conception. Federal authorities are investigating the fires as possible hate crimes.

Today in Bower Hill VFD History: December 11, 2016: Scott Township’s three fire departments respond to assist Green Tree at a commercial high-rise fire in Building 7 of Foster Plaza. The fire starts in a data center on the top floor of the five-story office building. The fire goes to five alarms, with Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, Crafton, Carnegie, Moon Run, Stowe Township, Bridgeville, Presto, Fairview, Kirwan Heights, and Kennedy Township also assisting. (photos from Ken Lager Photography) https://www.facebook.com/media/set/