Reading Area Firefighters Museum

this might be one day late in the "On This Date" category, but history's not going anywhere ... thus, June 29, 1949

A fire was discovered by a tenant in a rooming house at 121 South 6th Street and after calling the fire department, he began to rouse many of the lodgers from their sleep.
At 02:49, a still alarm went out to the Reading Hose and Assistant Chief Russell C. Bowers. Arriving on the scene, Bowers radioed the police dispatcher and informed the operator to have the fire dispatcher set up the bell alarm. Box 123, Plum and Franklin Streets, was then dialed up on the Gamewell box transmitter and within minutes, the Rainbows, Friendships, Liberties, Washington, Keystones and the second engine from the Reading Hose were racing to the scene.
Fire Chief Edward C. Dell, who responded on the first bell, found heavy fire shooting from the third floor rear of the structure. Firemen were severely hampered in getting hose lines to the seat of the fire. Several extension ladders had to be raised in a narrow passageway that ran along side the structure from South 6th to Plum Street. From there, hose lines were then taken to the fire floor.
It seemed every engine that arrived on the scene hooked up to a hydrant. Hydrants that were used were located at Plum and Franklin, 6th and Franklin, 6th and Kerper, 6th and Chestnut, and Plum and Chestnut Streets.
Realizing his men were struggling in getting the upper hand, Dell requested a second bell at 03:02. This consisted of the Juniors, Neversinks and Unions.
While the men were working on getting water on the fire, Rainbow driver William C. Bixler fell against a fire hydrant his truck was set up on. Getting up, he was met by a hospital intern assigned to the Reading Hose ambulance. Bixler insisted he was alright and continued about his duties on the fire grounds. A few minutes later, he collapsed again. This time, he was transported by Reading Hose ambulance to Community General Hospital where he died of an apparent heart attack.
The fire was doused within an hours time.
Known as Dilzer’s Rooming House, it was a three-story brick building that extended from South 6th to Plum Street. Owner David Fogelman, of 1312 North 13th Street, estimated his loss at close to $5,000. Fire Chief Dell revealed the fire was inadvertently started by a carelessly discarded cigarette.
Two adjoining dwellings, addressed 119 and 123 South 6th Street, suffered minor smoke damage.
William C. Bixler was 45-years-old. He was born to Edwin and Kate (Mumphrey) Bixler. Bixler became a driver in 1929 and was considered to be the second oldest in terms of length of service at the Rainbows. Surviving were his wife Helen (Bucher), a sister Margaret (Thiele), and three brothers, Arthur, Hamon and Charles. His funeral was held on Tuesday, July 5, 1949 at the Cramp Funeral Home, followed internment at the Forest Hills Memorial Park.
(photos courtesy Al Batastini)