You are hereBlair County Children's Home Fire - 1975
Blair County Children's Home Fire - 1975
This Photo & Image set contains 31 pieces.
Description:
A fire at the Blair County Children's Home left twenty-eight children homeless in the summer of 1975. Seventeen residents were present when the fire broke out on August 2, while the other eleven were away on weekend visits. Everyone escaped the burning building without harm, but a number of firefighters were overcome by smoke and heat while fighting the blaze. Two were hospitalized. A physician from the Altoona Hospital was called to the scene, since Dr. Marion Morelli, Williamsburg's local doctor, had left for a trip to Italy the morning of the fire. The fire, which originated in the attic, had broken through the roof by the time firefighters arrived. Companies from Williamsburg, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Duncansville and Geeseytown responded. Low water pressure in the hydrant lines led firefights to pump water from the Home's swimming pool and nearby Juniata River to fight the blaze.
The fire was reported by neighbors at 4:45 PM, and was extinguished by 7:30. The children living at the Home at the time ranged in age from five to eighteen. They were housed overnight at the United Methodist Church in Williamsburg on cots supplied by Blair County Civil Defense. The Red Cross and other local churches also assisted with the children. By Sunday evening, all were placed with relatives or in emergency foster care.
Photographed by: Unknown
Submitted by: Williamsburg Public Library
Created: April 22, 2009 - 6:00pm
Image 1 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 2 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 3 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 4 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 5 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 6 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 7 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 8 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 9 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 10 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 11 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 12 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 13 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 14 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 15 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 16 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 17 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 18 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 19 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 20 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 21 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 22 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 23 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 24 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 25 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 26 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 27 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 28 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 29 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 30 | Higher Resolution Available
Image 31 | Higher Resolution Available
The content on this page originates from - Williamsburg Public Library (http://www.williamsburgpl.net)
