Shiremanstown Fire

On September 2, 1908 sparks from a passing Cumberland Valley Rail Road train caught the roof of a Railroad Avenue warehouse on fire. Shiremanstown had no fire department and a civilian bucket brigade was unsuccessful in fighting the fire due to windy conditions. The wind fanned the flames and caught a nearby house on fire, then quickly jumped from house to house,destroying 6 homes before it reached Main Street. At that point the Mechanicsburg Fire Company arrived and were followed shortly by the Camp Hill Fire Company. The Hope Fire and Washington Fire Companies of Harrisburg also answered the call. Before firefighters were able to gain control 6 more homes on both sides of Main Street and St Johns Lutheran Church were destroyed.In all, the fire destroyed 12 homes, 1 church, 1 warehouse and 8 stables.Several other homes were damaged.