Fire Department Call History - 1940

The Steamboat Pilot - 1940

During the year 1937 there were 8 fire calls to which firemen responded, as follows:

• January 6 Leta Belt, frame building
• July 29 6 p.m. Jess Machia wrecking shop
• September 25 10 a.m. Z.P. Whetstine, chimney fire. frame house
• October 3 Ralph Zuschlag frame, caused by trashpile
• October 19 Osburn gasoline explosion
• October 29 Brush fire on Yampa Street
• December 20 Elmer Fogg, no fire
• December 28 Everett Stapleton, car, chemicals used

During the year 1938 the firemen responded to 11 calls as follows:

• February 4 Frame house on Oak and 4th
• March 16 Ralph Weeks house on Third street
• April 2 R.L. Morgan house on Eighth street
• April 23 Springsteel truck
• September 7 Warren Rider's beer parlor
• September 24 Weeks Creamery
• October 6 Alumbaugh garage (Kent house)October 22 W.G. Shearer, frame, roof fire
• November 20 Springsteel house on Lincoln Ave.
• December 17 Shed in rear of store building on Lincoln avenue owned by A.R. Brown
• December 26 B & B Service Station, gas stove

During 1939 Steamboat Springs had the most spectacular fire in the history of the town the complete destruction on January 24 of the Cabin hotel, large frame building of 100 rooms. The blaze is believed to have started from defective electric wiring. The fire lasted 5 hours, flames leaping in the air from all sides. Two persons were cremated in the flames. The total loss was estimated at $25,000.

• There was also another blaze, a minor affair, on the same day at Bob Kennedy's cabin on Yampa avenue.
• March 14 Coan building on Lincoln avenue used for car storage.
• March 22 Reynolds house on Missouri avenue.
• April 6 C.M. Dinius house on Hill street
• April 11 Candy Sandowal beer parlor
• April 11 Reynolds shed on Missouri avenue
• December 1 Baptist church on Eighth Street

With the exception of the Cabin hotel and perhaps a small shed or two, the flames were so perfectly controlled in the fires during the three years that there was a minimum of damage. There was not the slightest chance to save the Cabin hotel, which was a frame shell, the right material for the flames to feed upon.

The equipment now in use by the Steamboat Springs Volunteer Fire Department includes one 450-gallon pumper, three ladders, one 35-foot, one 20-foot and one 12-foot roof ladder. The truck carries 1200 feet of 21/2-inch hose; 200 feet of 11/2-inch hose and 150 feet of 1-inch booster hose. There are two gas smoke masks, one fog nozzle and three straight nozzles.