BAVFC 1963 Activity History Highlights Major Fires, Rescue Operations, Brush Fires, Mutual Aid Responses, and Firehouse Incident

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s 1963 activity history reflects a demanding year of fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, brush fire response, and major fireground operations. Throughout the year, BAVFC crews responded to dwelling fires, building fires, barn fires, apartment fires, serious motor vehicle collisions, large brush fires, and several extended incidents requiring coordinated work with neighboring fire companies.

The year began on January 1 with a building fire near Old Route 23 and Grafton Shop Road involving a barn. Engines 73 and 74 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately five hours and used about 9,500 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

On January 5, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire on Route 152 between Jerusalem and Franklinville roads. The incident involved a shop and garage. Company 3 responded with one engine, operating with Companies 8 and 4 and Battalion Chief 48. Crews used approximately 1,500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On January 10, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire at the end of Mine Branch Road. Delta and Company 9 also assisted.

On January 26, crews responded to a fatal personal injury collision at Conowingo Road and Whitehouse Road. Two ambulances responded. J. Foard served as acting officer.

On January 29, BAVFC responded to a building fire near Route 543 and Prospect Mill Road involving a barn. Company 1 assisted with one engine. Crews used approximately 2,500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

February included dwelling and building fire responses. On February 3, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Wilson Road near Route 440. One engine responded, and firefighters used approximately 735 gallons of water. D. Woodward served as acting officer.

On February 18, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Ady Road at the Bennett property involving a shed. Crews used approximately 500 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

On February 19, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Sharon Road at the Rutherford property. Tanker 33 responded, and crews used approximately 1,900 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On February 20, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Wheel Road at the Oals residence. One tenant was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital. Company 4 assisted with two units, and crews used approximately 200 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

March was a particularly active month. On March 1, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Conestoga Woods in the 3500 block of Hughes Road. The fire involved a sawdust storage shed. Company 3 responded with one engine, operating with Companies 9, 6, and 1. Crews used approximately 1,500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

That same date, BAVFC responded to a building fire in the 800 block of Bel Air Road, behind Bel Air Bowl. Fire was located in a pin refinishing shop. Crews operated for approximately two hours and used about 1,150 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 10, crews responded to a building fire at Emmorton Baptist Church. Fire was held to the steeple. Company 4 assisted with three units. B. King served as acting officer.

On March 23, BAVFC responded to a building fire with rescue at Walter’s Convalescent Home on Kalmia Road. Two two-story buildings were involved, and 26 people were evacuated. Eight ambulances responded. Companies 3, 9, 6, and 1 operated on the scene. Crews used approximately 28,000 gallons of water, and damage was estimated at approximately $30,000. B. King served as acting officer.

On March 25, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Reckord Road off Route 147 that started from a field fire. Companies 7 and 8, along with Battalion Chiefs 48 and 38, also assisted. Crews used approximately 6,700 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On March 26, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Sandy Hook Road near Kalmia Road at the Walter property. Units had to cross Deer Creek to reach the scene. Company 9 assisted with one engine. B. King served as acting officer.

April included field fires, brush fires, mutual aid responses, and a fire at the company’s own firehouse. On April 4, crews responded to a field fire near Route 1 and Reckord Road. Firefighters operated for approximately three hours and used about 1,100 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On April 12, Company 3 again assisted with a mutual aid building fire at Conestoga Woods in the 3500 block of Hughes Road. Company 3 responded with one engine, operating with Companies 9, 6, and 1. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 2,300 gallons of water. M. Purcell served as acting officer.

On April 20, BAVFC assisted with a mutual aid brush fire on Phillips Mill Road involving approximately 10 acres. Crews operated for approximately three hours. That same date, BAVFC responded to a major brush fire near Route 1 and Whitaker Mill Road. The fire involved approximately 250 acres and required an eight-hour operation. Battalion Chief 48, Companies 4, 8, and 7, and forestry units assisted, including jeeps, a plow, and a dozer. B. King served as acting officer.

On April 28, Company 3 assisted with a mutual aid dwelling fire near Cherry Hill and Burkins roads. Company 3 responded with one engine, operating with Companies 6, 7, 9, and 10. Crews used approximately 700 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

On April 29, BAVFC responded to a building fire at the company’s firehouse in the 100 block of Dallam Place. Four vehicles burned during the incident. Crews used approximately 26,000 gallons of water. Two firefighter injuries were reported, including a strained back and a toe injury. D. MacLean served as acting officer. April was also notable for 24 brush fires out of 49 total calls for the month.

On June 16, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Sandy Hook Road off Kalmia Road involving a house full of grain. Company 9 assisted with one engine. Firefighters used approximately 350 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

September included a barn fire. On September 17, BAVFC responded to a building fire on Plumtree Road south of Tollgate Road involving a barn. Engine 42 also assisted. Crews operated for approximately five hours and used about 3,500 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

October included apartment, building, and dwelling fire activity. On October 20, crews responded to an apartment fire in the 400 block of Franklin Street. The fire started from a furnace, and crews laid a hose line from Broadway. B. King served as acting officer.

On October 28, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Hickory Canning Factory near Route 1 and Johnson Mill Road after an oil furnace explosion. Four people were injured. R. King served as acting officer.

On October 31, crews responded to a dwelling fire on Lochary Road off Forge Hill Road. The fire started from an oil stove and involved two rooms. Company 9 assisted with three units. Firefighters used approximately 1,000 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

December closed the year with dwelling fires, a fatal crash, and a building fire. On December 5, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on Thomas Run Road at the Gorrell house. Company 1 assisted with one unit. Crews operated for approximately three hours and used about 3,400 gallons of water. One firefighter sustained an ankle injury. B. King served as acting officer.

On December 6, crews responded to a fatal personal injury collision at Bel Air and Tollgate roads after a car struck a telephone pole. One fatality was reported.

On December 8, BAVFC responded to a building fire at Franklin Concrete at the end of Franklin Street. Fire was located in the top of the plant in sawdust. Crews used approximately 300 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

On December 17, crews responded to a dwelling fire in the 200 block of Northview Drive. Fire damage was limited to a bed and the area beneath it, and crews made a strong stop. Firefighters used approximately 25 gallons of water. D. MacLean served as acting officer.

On December 29, BAVFC responded to a dwelling fire on North Bond Street at the Moore property. Crews used approximately 200 gallons of water. B. King served as acting officer.

The 1963 activity history demonstrates the broad range of services provided by the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, including fire suppression, rescue operations, EMS support, mutual aid coverage, brush fire response, and major fireground operations. The year was marked by significant fires, a large convalescent home evacuation, extensive brush fire activity, and a serious fire at the company’s own firehouse.

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