BAVFC 1941 Activity History Highlights Major Fires, Mutual Aid Responses, Field Fires, and Downtown Bel Air Fire

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1941 activity history reflects a demanding year of fire suppression, mutual aid response, field fire operations, and several major fireground incidents. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, field fires, commercial fires, and mutual aid assignments across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began on January 26 with a dwelling fire at the Hopkins property in Bel Air. Fire involved the roof, and crews made a strong save, limiting damage to approximately $100. B. King served as acting officer.

March included mutual aid, building, and field fire responses. On March 15, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire in Darlington. Company 6 and Conowingo Fire Department also operated at the scene. Most of the fire had been knocked down by the time Company 3 arrived, with fire involving the attic and roof area. Putnam served as acting officer.

On March 23, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Route 152 at Stockton Big Shop. Two outbuildings were on fire. Companies 3 and 4 operated at the scene, and damage was estimated at approximately $500. Putnam served as acting officer.

On March 27, crews responded to a field fire in Magnolia involving approximately 10 acres. Firefighters operated for approximately two hours. Putnam served as acting officer.

On March 28, BAVFC responded to a field fire in Stepney involving approximately 15 acres. Crews operated for approximately three and a half hours. Putnam served as acting officer.

April included field, dwelling, and garage fire responses. On April 9, BAVFC responded to a dwelling and field fire near Darlington Road and Rock Run Road. The fire began in a shed and spread to a field and thicket. Department records noted that approximately three and a half acres of orchard were affected, and one person was found deceased in a field. Conowingo Fire Department also assisted, and crews operated for approximately two and a half hours. Putnam served as acting officer.

On April 16, crews responded to a field fire near Rocks Road and Stirrup Run involving approximately 15 acres. Putnam served as acting officer.

On April 28, BAVFC responded to a fire in the Rutledge area of Fallston involving a garage. Company 3, Company 7, and Battalion Chief 39 operated at the scene. B. King served as acting officer.

May included several dwelling fires. On May 4, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire at Dr. Myers’ house in Joppa. The home was destroyed, and crews had no available water supply at the scene. Companies 3, 2, and 4 operated for approximately four and a half hours. The roof of a neighboring structure also caught fire. Damage was estimated at approximately $15,000. B. King served as acting officer.

On May 11, crews responded to a dwelling fire at Calvary Mill on Calvary Road. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. D. Harkins served as acting officer.

On May 12, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in Magnolia. Companies 3, 4, and 11 operated at the scene, and damage was estimated at approximately $3,550. B. King served as acting officer.

June included a barn fire and a total-loss dwelling fire. On June 7, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Cecil Cheek’s barn in Emmorton. The barn was destroyed, and crews operated for approximately six hours. F. Hiser served as acting officer.

On June 23, crews responded to a dwelling fire at H.B. Street’s house in Hickory. The six-room house was destroyed. F. Hiser served as acting officer.

On July 24, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire involving a room over S.A. Williams Law Office. The fire started from a coal-oil stove.

August included building and field fire responses. On August 8, crews responded to a building fire involving a garage to the rear of the Vaughn Hotel on Main Street. B. King served as acting officer.

On August 10, BAVFC responded to a building fire at a sawmill at Shucks Corner on Prospect Mill Road. Companies 3, 4, and 2 operated at the scene for approximately 12 hours. F. Hiser served as acting officer.

On August 26, crews responded to a field fire in Benson involving approximately 40 acres on the Banegar property. F. Hiser served as acting officer.

September included several mutual aid, field, building, and dwelling fire responses. On September 7, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire in Aberdeen at the Oliver property involving a barn. B. King served as acting officer.

On September 12, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid field fire in Joppa. Department records noted that Abingdon had previously responded twice to the fire but did not have enough personnel available, resulting in Bel Air being requested to extinguish the fire.

On September 22, crews responded to a building fire in Bradshaw involving a barn. Firefighters operated for approximately two hours. B. King served as acting officer.

On September 23, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire at the Wells property in Fallston. The house and tool shed were on fire. One burn injury was noted in department records. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,500, and crews operated for approximately four and a half hours. B. King served as acting officer.

On September 28, crews responded to a dwelling fire at the Archer property in Benson. Fire involved the kitchen and rear of the house after a kerosene heater exploded. B. King served as acting officer.

October was marked by several major fires, including a significant downtown Bel Air commercial fire. On October 9, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire at the Snodgrass house in Darlington. The home was destroyed, and crews operated for approximately three hours. B. King served as acting officer.

On October 20, crews responded to a major building fire at Acme Market on Main Street. Damage was estimated at approximately $100,000. Companies 3, 2, 4, and 6 operated at the scene for approximately 12 hours. Despite the scale of the fire, crews saved approximately two-thirds of the block. F.E. Hiser served as acting officer.

On October 27, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Jayness property in Darlington involving a store and dance hall. The building was completely destroyed by fire caused by a gas explosion. Damage was estimated at approximately $12,000.

November closed the recorded year with a building fire and a dwelling fire response. On November 19, crews responded to a building fire at Storo Milling Company in Whiteford. Firefighters operated for approximately three hours. F. Hiser served as acting officer.

On November 25, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in Darlington. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,000. During the response, Company 3’s Engine 2 was involved in a wreck while en route in Hickory.

The 1941 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, mutual aid coverage, rural field fire response, barn fire operations, and major commercial fire response. The year was especially notable for the Acme Market fire on Main Street, where crews operated for 12 hours and prevented the fire from destroying a larger portion of the block.

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