FFD News & Events Archive
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On This Day in FFD History
January 7, 2021
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This is a fire that we have never published before. It is a LENGHTY read but enjoyable.On This Day in FFD/Frostburg History (Friday, January 7, 1927) the St. Cloud Hotel and Lemmert’s Garage Burned and Many Cars Destroyed.
Reprinted from the Cumberland Times, Thursday, January 13, 1927
FIRE TAKES HEAVY TOLL IN FROSTBURG
It is estimated that the loss caused by fire which destroyed the St. Cloud Hotel and Lemmert’s Garage, at Frostburg, Md., last Friday morning, will amount to $110,000. Nearly half of this loss was in valuable motor cars and their contents, all of which were completely destroyed by the flames.Fire Started in Garage
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The fire originated somewhere beneath Lemmert’s Garage in the rear. Conrad Weibrecht, a night watchman at the Consolidation Coal -
On This Day in FFD History
January 2, 2021
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ON THIS DAY IN FFD/FROSTBURG HISTORYReprinted from the Cumberland Evening Times, Page 19 – Thursday, January 2, 1975
Frostburg K of C gutted
ONE INJURED, SMOKE FELLS TWO OTHERS
Fire gutted the Frostburg Knights of Columbus building, 117 East Main St., yesterday about 9:30PM.
Five fire companies and the LaVale Volunteer Rescue Squad truck responded to the alarm turned in by Enoch Price, a fireman, who was passing by the building in his car and noticed smoke. He summoned the Frostburg volunteer fire company. Firemen were at a dinner in the police station and arrived at the scene within minutes, but it was reported the fire already had blazed into the ceiling of the two-story, brick building, which was gutted.
Three firms on the ground floor-Quinn’s floor
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E164 Departs Frostburg, Headed to New Home
January 25, 2020
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Frostburg Fire Department Fire Chief, Matt McMorran handed over E164 (Originally Engine 16-14) today to new owner William Bixby of Westerville, OH.Chief McMorran was present when the unit backed in the former Station 1 for the first time in '88 and like many current and former FFD members, spent many years responding to calls on it. E164 is a 1988 Seagrave Pumper that was replaced last fall after 32 years of faithful service with the new E161.
Mr Bixby plans to keep the unit as it sits today and show it in regional shows & musters in and around Columbus, OH.
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On This Day in Frostburg/FFD History
January 13, 2020
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n This Day In Frostburg Fire History, One Of The Largest Downtown Fires Occurred!Re-printed from the Cumberland Sunday Times, Page 25 January 14, 1973
EIGHT BUSINESS PLACES GUTTED OR DAMAGED IN FROSTBURG BLAZE; RESIDENTS EVACUATED
Main Street Bakery, Shoe, Clothing Stores Destroyed
A fire which raged for nearly four hours before being brought under control, destroyed three Frostburg Main Street business places, damaged another and caused smoke or water damage in four others yesterday. Residents residing above the properties were evacuated and none was injured.More than 170 firemen from 10 companies battled the blaze and three firemen were injured or suffered smoke inhalation. Anthony Wayne Sullivan, of shaft volunteer fire company, was treated at Frostburg community
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FFD Hydrant Clearing Initiative
January 3, 2020
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Frostburg Fire Department to Launch Hydrant Clearing InitiativeAt last month’s Frostburg City Council meeting, Frostburg Fire Department (FFD) Assistant Fire Chief & Public Information Officer Matt McMorran, announced the launch of the “Adopt-A-Hydrant” program.
With nearly 500 fire hydrants in the FFD’s “first-due” area, McMorran stated that the FFD volunteers cannot possibly keep all the hydrants cleared of snow. “Neighbors can assist by signing up for the program, taking ownership of a fire hydrant, and keeping a three-foot cleared area. This will save time for firefighters in the event of an emergency.” McMorran added, “Fire double in size every 30 seconds and the average fire engine only carries several minutes worth of water to fight a fire. Having hydrants cleared
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On This Day in Frostburg/FFD History
January 2, 2020
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Re-Printed from the Cumberland Evening Times, Page 19 – Thursday, January 2, 1975Frostburg K of C gutted
ONE INJURED, SMOKE FELLS TWO OTHERS
Fire gutted the Frostburg Knights of Columbus building, 117 East Main St., yesterday about 9:30PM.Five fire companies and the LaVale Volunteer Rescue Squad truck responded to the alarm turned in by Enoch Price, a fireman, who was passing by the building in his car and noticed smoke. He summoned the Frostburg volunteer fire company
Firemen were at a dinner in the police station and arrived at the scene within minutes but it was reported the fire already had blazed into the ceiling of the two-story, brick building, which was gutted.
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Three firms on the ground floor-Quinn’s floor service, Frostburg antiques, and affairs storeroom, along -
On This Day in Frostburg/FFD History
November 23, 2019
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On This Day In Frostburg History.The below is courtesy of Steve Colby. It is lengthy but very detailed and interesting!
While researching vintage photographs of tornado damage in Frostburg, MD, Bob Lemmert came across the following information on the NOAA website:
November 23, 1891 at about 1000 hours EST, a F2 tornado struck Frostburg. The damage path statistics are unknown. Deaths and injuries are also unknown. The tornado touched down in the Consol area near the present day armory. It followed Water Street (northward) before shifting east down Main street near St. Michael's Catholic Church. It moved through the heart of Frostburg and down to Depot Hill. Buildings were destroyed, roofs lifted, chimneys downed and windows shattered. A horse and wagon was blown 50 yards, a full
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E161 Makes Maiden Run
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E161 crew pictured (L-R) Firefighter John Fore, Firefighter Brett Weikert, Chief Joe Hoffman, Firefighter Doug Hanson.Continue Reading -
E161 Officially Placed in Service
November 20, 2019
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Out w/ the old and in with the new! Last night at 2100 hours, Fire Chief Hoffman advised EOC that after 32 years of dedicated service, E164 was being taken OOS and placed in retirement. Additionally he announced that E161 was In Service at Station 1!
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On This Day in Frostburg/FFD History
November 20, 2019
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ON THIS DAY IN FROSTBURG/FFD HISTORYNovember 20, 1936 - The four-story Frostburg Opera House at the corner of Main and Depot Streets (Fat Boys Pizza today) is destroyed by an intense fire and burns to a shell. Said to have been a spectacular fire, fed by grain stored in the basement and huge virgin white pine girders, melts the copper roof providing a fireworks-like display lasting most of the night. Lemmert Bros. Garage and four homes are damaged by flying embers. Estimated losses are $70,000 and the cause of the fire, though never proven, was thought to be arson.
This fire was just four days after the Wittig and Laporta block on Main Street was partially destroyed by fire.
The following was entered into the FFD minutes on 24 NOV 1936.
Chief Bernard Hughes reported two
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