In the early morning hours of Feb. 4, 1955 a fire started in downtown Carbondale that would grow to claim 17 buildings and leave 40 people homeless.
According to officials the fire started in the center of Salem Ave. and spread along the street then moving to Main and Church Streets consuming buildings as it moved. In addition to causing some 40 residents out into the cold, the fire also damaged numerous businesses and a bank. The damage is estimated to be close to $2 million dollars.
Some 200 firefighters from numerous communities responded to fighting this massive blaze. Four were injured in fighting the fire. They were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment.
In addition to battling the flames, the firefighters also had to battle the cold. With subfreezing temperatures, the water being used to fight the flames was coating equipment, buildings and the streets in ice. Carbondale’s public works department assisted in spreading cinders and rock salt to fight the ice.
Prior to this fire, Carbondale was to the scene of two other large fires. On Jan. 5, a fire hit two buildings along Main St that damaged Mill Brother Hardware and several other businesses and apartments. In December, a fire hit the Never Warp Door Corp on Peck Ave.
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- Aerial photo of the corner of Salem Ave and Main St., Carbondale is a scene of havoc and horror after the disastrous fire that through the area on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Aerial photo of the smoke billowing from the buildings hit by a massive fire in downtown Carbondale on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Fire destroyed Dean Phipps Auto Store at 50 North Main St, Carbondale, leaving smoking, smouldering wreckage and is starting to attack the adjacent Big Chief Market on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Scranton Talk Store, 45 Salem Ave, and Carney’s Drug Store, 47 Salem Ave., are buring and adjacent building is a mass of flame in Carbondale on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Firefighters are outlined against blazing building row of Salem Ave in Carbondale on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- A view of of what remains of Salem Ave in Carbondale following the massive fire on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- A view of of what remains following the massive fire that hit Carbondale on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- A view of the damage caused by the massive fire in Carbondale on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- A view of what remains of the Big Chief Supermarket on North Main St in Carbondale following the massive fire on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Aerial view of the massive fire that hit Carbondale on Feb. 4, 1955. Times-Tribune Archives
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- Firefighters from the Eagle Hose Co., Dickson City are shown fighting the flames at Wade’s Floral Shop, 35 North Church St, Carbondale on Feb. 4, 1955. The floral shop was leveled along with adjoining buildings. Times–Tribune Archives
Recording of Scranton Times radio broadcast dealing with the Carbondale Fire on Feb. 4, 1955 –
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
