BAVFC 1960 Activity History Highlights Major Fires, Rescues, Mutual Aid Responses, Water Rescue, and Winter Fireground Operations

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1960 activity history reflects a year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, water rescue, search response, and extended fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, apartment fires, building fires, barn fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, and several incidents involving significant property loss and injuries.

The year began on January 9 with a dwelling fire on Route 543 north of Route 22 at Eva Mar Farm. The incident was initially alerted as a field fire. Crews arrived to find a vacant dwelling fully involved. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On January 14, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 300 block of George Street involving a shed. Crews used approximately 50 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $50. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 20, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Forge Hill Road involving a trailer. Firefighters used approximately 1,300 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $6,000. One firefighter sustained a knee injury. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 25, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire in the 100 block of South Lynbrook Road involving the kitchen and attic. Damage was estimated at approximately $1,500. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

One of the month’s most significant incidents occurred on January 31, when crews responded to an apartment fire on Chestnut Hill Road. The building, formerly a creamery, store, and Chestnut Hill Post Office, had been converted into five apartments and housed 36 residents. Companies 3, 6, 7, and 9 operated on the scene. The building was a total loss, with damage estimated at approximately $40,000. Crews operated for approximately four hours. B. Zimmerman served as acting officer.

February included major barn and dwelling fires. On February 20, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Walter’s Farm involving a barn. Company 6 also assisted with two units. Crews operated for approximately six hours and used about 25,000 gallons of water. One firefighter sustained burns to the neck and face. B. King served as acting officer.

On February 21, crews responded to a dwelling fire near Route 543 at Walters Mill Road. Firefighters used approximately 2,000 gallons of water. B. Zimmerman served as acting officer.

March included two dwelling fires. On March 17, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire near Wheel Road and Route 543 involving a trailer. Company 4 also assisted, and crews used approximately 400 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

On March 26, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Timber Lane involving the roof area. Company 8 also assisted, and firefighters used approximately 80 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

April included building and mutual aid fire activity. On April 11, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a barn near Route 924 at Sparr Builders Inc. Crews used approximately 525 gallons of water. King served as acting officer.

On April 12, crews responded to a building fire on Route 543 near the Youth Center involving a chicken house and brush. Firefighters used approximately 500 gallons of water, and a pike pole was broken during the operation. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 18, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Boyd and Brinegar roads. Company 3 responded with two engines. King served as acting officer.

May included building fire and water rescue responses. On May 24, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a shed near Robinson and Roland avenues. Crews used approximately 100 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On May 27, BAVFC responded to a water rescue in the Copenhaver area off Route 543 after a person drowned in a farm pond. The victim was deceased on arrival. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On May 30, crews responded to a building fire on Watervale Road at the Richardson property. The fire involved a barn. Company 7 also operated on the scene. Crews worked for approximately two hours and used about 600 gallons of water. B. Zimmerman served as acting officer.

June included a fatal rescue response. On June 11, BAVFC responded to a personal injury rescue at Fulford Avenue and Main Street. Two fatalities were reported. Crews used a port-a-power during the rescue operation. J. Foard served as acting officer.

On July 6, crews responded to a personal injury rescue on Route 1 near Ady Road. B. King served as acting officer.

On July 18, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Oakmont Road. Company 7 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately five hours and used about 7,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

August included a major mutual aid barn fire. On August 22, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire involving a barn on Route 165 north of Route 152. Companies 7, 3, and 10, along with Battalion Chief 47, operated on the scene. Crews worked for approximately four hours and used about 40,000 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On September 27, BAVFC responded to a search call near Ruff’s Mill and Pennington roads for Ricky Ruff.

October included a fatal crash and a dwelling fire. On October 13, crews responded to a personal injury collision on Route 22 near Tudor Lane. One fatality was reported. B. Zimmerman served as acting officer.

On October 26, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Friendship Road. Crews used approximately 800 gallons of water. King served as acting officer.

November included a dwelling fire with explosion and two barn fires. On November 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire with explosion near Route 543 and Route 22. One resident was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital with severe burns. B. King served as acting officer.

On November 21, crews responded to a building fire involving a barn near Kalmia Road and Forge Hill Road on the Riley property. Company 9 also operated on the scene. Firefighters used approximately 1,700 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

On November 23, BAVFC responded to a building fire involving a barn on Vale Road near Red Pump Road. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 600 gallons of water. During the incident, part of the roof gave way, causing several firefighters to fall to the ground. B. King served as acting officer.

December closed the year with several dwelling and building fire responses. On December 3, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Old Forge Hill Road. Company 3 responded with three engines and used approximately 1,100 gallons of water. The structure was a total loss. B. King served as acting officer.

That same date, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Fallston Road involving fire in the walls. Company 7 also assisted, and crews used approximately 200 gallons of water. Zimmerman served as acting officer.

On December 7, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Tucker Road. Company 3 responded with two engines and used approximately 1,300 gallons of water. Zimmerman served as acting officer.

On December 14, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Prospect Mill Road. The home sustained heavy damage, and crews used approximately 400 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

On December 16, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire on Durham Road near Furnace Road. One engine responded, and crews used approximately 800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 18, crews responded to a building fire involving a barn on Thomas Run Road at the Gorrell property. Companies 1 and 4 also assisted. Firefighters operated for approximately five hours and used about 6,700 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

That same date, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Thomas Run Road near Prospect Mill Road at the Howe residence. Crews used approximately 800 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

The 1960 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, water rescue, search response, mutual aid coverage, and major water supply operations. The year included fatal incidents, firefighter injuries, large-loss fires, and multiple extended operations that required coordination with neighboring fire companies.

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