The Early Years

On September 18, 1891, the fire company faced one of its first major tests at the Bulett Carriage Factory fire. The factory - then the largest manufacturing enterprise in Harford County - was a massive four-story frame structure, measuring approximately 50 feet wide by 200 feet deep, with an additional one-story annex of equal size. It was regarded as one of the finest and most efficiently arranged carriage factories in the region.

The fire was discovered shortly after 3:00 a.m. by Daniel Carroll, who lived across from the factory on Thomas Street. Awakened by his child and a crackling noise, Carroll looked outside and observed flames emerging from the roof above the paint shop. He quickly alerted nearby residents, and the alarm was raised.

Initial efforts focused on saving property. Edmund Lee, among the first on scene, opened the showroom and began removing finished vehicles. With assistance from others, approximately 15 carriages and buggies were successfully saved. Firefighters responded rapidly - Frank Bateman and Hugh Friel brought a hose carriage from the jail, while Chief Frank M. Cline, alerted at his nearby home, harnessed a horse and transported the second hose carriage to the scene.

Despite these efforts, it quickly became evident that the fire had gained too much headway to save the factory. Firefighters shifted their focus to protecting surrounding structures. Carroll’s residence was in immediate danger, and its contents were removed while crews applied water to prevent ignition. Due to the extreme heat, a makeshift heat shield - consisting of a door covered with wet blankets - was erected to allow firefighters to operate safely.

Through determined efforts, firefighters prevented the spread of the fire to nearby homes, including those occupied by Mrs. Saladay, George Lingan, and William Lang. The intensity of the fire was evident as burning debris and embers were carried well beyond the courthouse, requiring constant attention to surrounding rooftops to prevent additional fires.

Water supply challenges further complicated operations. Initially, water was drawn directly from a spring because the reservoir supply - located three miles away - had not yet been activated. Aquilla B. and Octavian M. Whitaker quickly responded by traveling to the reservoir and opening the supply, completing the task in just 16 minutes.

The fire is believed to have originated in the paint shop, possibly caused by the spontaneous combustion of linseed oil-soaked rags. Several individuals sustained injuries, including burns and heat-related effects, though no fatalities were reported. The factory, which had the capacity to produce up to 3,000 vehicles annually and contained materials for approximately 1,500 units, was completely destroyed within 90 minutes.

Growth and Organizational Development (1890–1918)

Between 1890 and 1918, the fire company experienced steady growth and organizational change. Membership evolved as new individuals joined and others departed, while leadership transitioned through several key figures:

• Chiefs:

  • Frank M. Cline (1890–1893)

  • Henry B. Bruns (1893–1898)

  • Frank Bateman (1898–1904)

  • T. Frank MacLean (1904–1922)

• Presidents:

  • John Thomas Crew Hopkins, Sr. (1890–1893)

  • Frank Bateman (1893–1898)

  • Henry B. Bruns (1898–1917)

During this period, the company expanded its apparatus, pursued improvements in alarm systems, and ultimately established its first permanent fire station.

Expansion of Apparatus and Equipment

After years of discussion, a significant advancement occurred in 1898 when town taxpayers authorized the purchase of additional firefighting equipment. On March 4, 1898, the Town Commissioners approved the acquisition of a hook and ladder carriage. The order was placed with Rumsey & Company of Seneca Falls, New York, for $269, and the apparatus arrived on April 25, 1898.

The hook and ladder carriage was initially housed at Shannahan and Smith’s livery stable on Main Street and remained in service until 1919, when it was replaced by the company’s first motorized apparatus. It provided essential capabilities for ladder operations and rescue support during its years of service.

Development of the Fire Alarm System

Since the company’s founding, efforts had been made to establish a reliable fire alarm system. After multiple unsuccessful attempts, progress was finally achieved in 1903. A committee led by Walter Finney, along with M. A. Reckord and James Reynolds, secured the necessary funding with support from both town and county officials.

The company ordered a bell from the McShane Bell Foundry Company of Baltimore. Delivered on July 29, 1903, the bell weighed 1,826 pounds and was installed in the cupola of the Harford County Courthouse. It was later named “Big Walter,” likely in honor of Walter Finney.

The bell served as the community’s primary alarm system for decades. It was rung six times for out-of-town fires and twelve times for fires within Bel Air. Telephone operators activated the bell from the local exchange. Though eventually replaced by modern communications systems, the bell remained an enduring symbol of the department’s early history.

Establishment of the First Firehouse

Prior to 1907, the fire company operated without a centralized station. Equipment was stored in various locations, including behind the Harford County Jail, on private property, and in local stables. In 1898, the company began renting space in the Ferry Building on Courtland Street for $50 per year.

Recognizing the need for a permanent facility, efforts intensified in 1906. Despite initial funding challenges, the Town Commissioners initiated a voluntary tax campaign to support construction. In January 1907, land on Courtland Street was purchased for $150, and construction of a 20-by-40-foot firehouse began in June of that year.

The Courtland Street station became the first official firehouse for the company, housing all apparatus until 1919. It remained in use until 1924, when the company relocated to a new station on Main Street.

Introduction of Motorized Apparatus

A major milestone occurred in 1919 with the purchase of the company’s first motorized fire apparatus - a 1918 Ford/American LaFrance Type “E” double-tank chemical and hose car. Acquired for approximately $2,000, this unit replaced both the hand-drawn hose carriages and the hook and ladder apparatus.

Although it did not include a fire pump, the engine featured two 25-gallon chemical tanks that used a chemical reaction (bicarbonate soda and sulfuric acid) to generate pressure and discharge extinguishing agents through a hose. The unit also carried 1,000 feet of hose, ladders, hand tools, lanterns, and extinguishers.

Delivered by rail in October 1919, the apparatus was placed into service under the supervision of Chief T. Frank MacLean. It was initially painted red and later refinished in cream and ivory in 1924.

Expansion Beyond Town Limits

Following the introduction of motorized apparatus, the fire company increasingly responded to incidents beyond Bel Air, covering much of Harford County and occasionally assisting in neighboring Cecil County. However, due to excessive wear on the equipment, the Town Commissioners restricted responses in 1921 to within a two-mile radius.

Despite this limitation, significant fires - such as those in Fallston in 1921 and 1922 - highlighted the need for expanded rural fire protection. These incidents demonstrated that while the company responded, the lack of pumping capability limited effectiveness. Many members recognized that even a modest water supply operation could have prevented substantial property loss.

These early challenges ultimately shaped future decisions regarding apparatus capabilities and regional fire protection, laying the groundwork for the modern fire service in Bel Air.