BAVFC 1949 Activity History Highlights Major Barn Fires, Dwelling Fires, Mutual Aid Responses, and Extended Rural Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1949 activity history reflects a year marked by structure fires, barn fires, dwelling fires, mutual aid responses, and long-duration rural fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to fires involving homes, garages, chicken houses, barns, agricultural buildings, vehicles, crops, and livestock across Bel Air and surrounding communities.

The year began on January 3 with a building fire on Ellendale Street at the Corbin Coal & Ice Company. The fire destroyed a garage and five tank trucks. Delta also assisted at the scene, and crews operated for approximately four hours. F.E. Hiser served as acting officer.

On January 28, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Patton property at Hickory Corner. The fire involved a frame chicken house, and crews operated for approximately an hour and a half. F.E. Hiser served as acting officer.

On February 5, crews responded to a dwelling fire at the George Smith tenant house in Fallston. Firefighters operated for approximately one hour. F.E. Hiser served as acting officer.

April included two significant fire responses on the same date. On April 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire at the Moxley property at Shucks Corner. The structure, known as Carvil Hill, dated to approximately 1799 and was historically associated with slave quarters. Companies 2 and 4 also assisted. King served as acting officer.

That same date, crews responded to a building fire involving a barn at Gen Fox. The barn burned down, and crews operated for approximately three and a half hours. King served as acting officer.

On May 11, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire at the Cooper Edwards house in Joppa. Company 3 responded with two engines, and crews operated for approximately three hours. King served as acting officer.

June included several building fires involving agricultural properties. On June 1, crews responded to a building fire at the Roberts property in Hopewell involving Dr. Copenhaver’s barn and five additional buildings. Company 2 responded with one engine, and Company 3 responded with two engines. Crews operated for approximately five and a half hours. King served as acting officer.

On June 7, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Thomas property in Rutledge involving a barn. Company 7 also assisted, and crews worked for approximately three hours. Purcell served as acting officer.

On June 11, crews responded to a building fire at the Hess property in Upper Cross Roads after Jarrettsville requested assistance. The fire involved a barn. King served as acting officer.

July was a particularly active month for barn and dwelling fires. On July 1, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Smith property in Darlington involving a barn. Company 6 assisted with two engines. Crews operated for approximately five hours, and many crops were damaged. King served as acting officer.

On July 15, crews responded to a dwelling fire at Tucker’s Corner, between Sandy Hook and Deer Creek, to the rear of the Rainbow Inn. Company 6 assisted with one engine, and crews operated for approximately three and a half hours. King served as acting officer.

On July 17, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Crouse property near Upper Cross Roads involving a three-story chicken house. Company 7 also assisted. Approximately 500 chickens died in the fire, and crews operated for about three hours. King served as acting officer.

On July 22, crews responded to a building fire on Route 147 in Benson at the Amoss property involving a barn. Company 4 assisted with one engine, Company 7 with one engine, and Long Green with two engines. Crews operated for approximately eight hours. King served as acting officer.

August included additional building fire responses. On August 5, BAVFC responded to another building fire involving a barn at Gen Fox. The barn burned down, and crews operated for approximately three and a half hours. King served as acting officer.

On August 11, crews again responded to the Hess property at Upper Cross Roads after Jarrettsville requested assistance for a barn fire. King served as acting officer.

September included dwelling and barn fire activity. On September 22, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the Sharon Acres area near Dude Ranch. Companies 7 and 3 each operated with two engines, and crews worked for approximately two hours. King served as acting officer.

On September 24, crews responded to a dwelling fire at the Glasgow Archer house in Emmorton. Fire involved a bedroom. King served as acting officer.

On September 26, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Arthur Bosley property involving a barn. The fire destroyed approximately 100 tons of hay and 50 tons of barley. Company 7 responded with two engines, Long Green with one engine, and Bel Air with two engines. Crews operated for approximately seven hours. King served as acting officer.

November included two extended barn fire responses. On November 6, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Choate property in Fountain Green involving a barn. Company 3 responded with two engines, and Company 4 assisted with one engine. Crews hauled water from Bel Air and operated for approximately 11 hours. King served as acting officer.

On November 9, crews responded to a building fire at the Shaffer property in Rock Run involving a barn. Aberdeen and Bel Air fire companies operated at the scene. Aberdeen Fire Company remained to mop up after the main fireground operation. Crews worked for approximately three and a half hours. King served as acting officer.

December closed the year with a building fire and a dwelling fire. On December 2, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the Natwick property on Whitaker Mill Road involving a brooder house. Approximately 4,000 chicks died, and equipment was lost in the fire. King served as acting officer.

On December 19, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in Upper Falls. Fullerton, Essex, Cowenton, Long Green, and Bel Air fire companies operated at the scene. Crews worked for approximately two and a half hours. King served as acting officer.

The 1949 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company during a period when rural fires often required long operations, water hauling, and extensive mutual aid coordination. The year was especially notable for major barn fires, agricultural losses, total-loss structures, and multiple responses involving livestock, crops, and farm equipment.

Residents are encouraged to follow BAVFC for department updates, fire prevention information, and opportunities to support or volunteer with the company.