City of Franklin
Fire Department History
 

The following condensed history was provided by Deputy Chief Andrew N. Nadeau, retired (1960-1989) from his book titled Franklin Fire Department 1830-1978 which was produced with only 250 copies and has been out of print for at least a decade.  He completed the 150+ page work prior to his retirement from the job.  Andy is also the honorary curator of the department’s museum.  Thank you Andy for all that you have done for us and most importantly the role that you have played in conveying the history of “the job” to the next generation of firefighters charged with protecting this City.

The Franklin of today was first settled in 1748.  It was, at that time, called Stevenstown, later incorporated as Salisbury.

A petition for a new town was presented to the Legislature in 1825.  The petition was bitterly opposed by the towns who would have to give up parts of their lands, the result being that several years would elapse before the matter was settled.

The people who wanted a new town persevered and as a result, Franklin, the Town, was incorporated on December 24, 1828.  It would become a city in 1895.

As early as 1830, an important duty of town government was to see that the property of its citizens was protected against the ravages of fire.

Soon the town would have two fire “engines” in use.  These were known as tub machines.  There were two organized fire companies, located on each side of the Pemigewasset River, in the two villages.  Just when they were formed, is not known.  One was most definitely Engine Company no. 1, in the West Village.

In 1832, a group of Franklin citizens gave notice that Engine Company 2 had been formed.

It is believed that these early companies consisted of 20 men each.  Just what their “engines” were is not known, but they were the forerunners of the hand-tub now in possession of the Department.

The first recorded fire in the community occurred in November 1835.  The fire bell was rung at 4 am for a fire in West Village.  The fire started in the Satinet Factory, where Benjamin Moulton had been manufacturing cloth and carding wool.  The building could not be saved as the fire spread to a barn and carriage shed, destroying them too.

In 1837, April 27, fire started in one of the mills on Central Street, and soon spread to another.  Before the flames could be brought under control, both mills, along with a book and paper store were totally consumed.

Using the $8,000. insurance money, the brick mill was rebuilt on site and was in full operation on the 29^th of October.

The following appeared in the records of Engine Company 2.  “June 1, 1850 Engine Co. met at Engine House precisely at 7 o’clock pm, examined engine, pronounced it to be in good order, worked it and found it to be as above stated.  Captain Knapp took his Company to D.N. Haley’s Inn and treated them on Lemon Ale, in good shape.  Returned to Engine House and the Captain dismissed the Company.”

A second hand Hunneman Engine was purchased from Stark Mills in Manchester in 1866 and would run in the East Village as Stark company No. 3.  It would be housed on Central Street and would serve until 1880.  In 1884, the Engine would be sold to Lyndonville, Vermont.  Franklin had paid $400. for the Engine.  Also purchased at this time was $800.00 worth of leather riveted hose.  This engine would have been second hand, possibly no longer needed by Stark Mills.

In 1870, a new West Village Fire Station was constructed.  Samuel Heath did the stone work for $194.60.  The builder was J.K. Woodward who charged $967.80 for his work.  Total expenses for the new house were $1705.  This station would be remodeled in 1941 to better serve motorized apparatus.

In 1989 this station was razed to allow the State of New Hampshire to change the intersection of routes 3, 11 and 3A.
 

On October 10, 1865, fire struck Aiken’s four story wooden machine shop on Bow Street.  Fire started on the top floor and slowly devoured the building.  This shop had been built in 1864.  Such large buildings would be almost impossible to extinguish.  As some of the old records stated, “fire buildings were destroyed, all surrounding buildings were saved”.

July 7, 1872 saw fire strike the Winnipesaukee Paper Mill.  The building was 40 X 108 feet, two stories with a connected bleach house 33 X 28 feet.  The fire was believed to have started from the bleach, which was subject to intense heat.  The fire spread quickly to the extremely dry flooring overhead.  The fire was discovered by the watchman who sounded the alarm.

Stark Engine No. 3 was quickly on scene followed shortly by Engine No. 1.  Stark 3 threw the first stream but the building was completely involved and could not be saved.

Two rotary bleachers, one five feet in diameter and 22 feet long, weighing 13 tons and the other six feet in diameter and weighing 10 tons were filled with boiling stock.  When the building was half destroyed, one of the bleachers exploded and was propelled over 200 feet across the river.

Five firemen were playing a 2 1/2 inch hose on the fire at the time of the fire and all five were knocked to the ground but were unharmed.  At this time, it was discovered that part of the bleacher had gone 30 feet in the opposite direction.  Before the fire was under control, the second bleacher also exploded.

Firemen worked their engines for over three hours and were so exhausted that by-standing men were pressed into service working the brakes.  The brakes were long handles that firemen pumped up and down to force water from the engine to the nozzle.  Damage was $50,000.

It is believed that horses were introduced to the Department during 1877.  These horses were city horses and had to be “rounded up” to haul fire apparatus.

A new hose wagon was purchased from Chelsea, Massachusetts.  A new company was formed to run with the hose wagon.  It was called the C.C. Kenrick Hose Company, and ran out of the East Village.  The Company ran with volunteers until 1879 when they drew pay.  In 1880, Kenrick Hose Company was done away with and the fifteen members were used to form a new company for the steamer purchased.

May 1880 saw the purchase of a steam fire engine.  It was purchased from Amoskeag at Manchester at a cost of $2985.  This new engine would be called the Daniel Webster Steamer.  It was a double reciprocating, vertical engine, with two team cylinders and two pumps.  It would deliver 500 gallons of water per minute.  It was furnished with such tools and equipment as were required.  With the arrival of the Steamer, came a complete reorganization of the Fire Department.  Stark No. 3 was disbanded and the machine sold.  Engine Co. 1 was reduced from 50 men to 15, as they would not be used as much as previously.  They would run on second alarms with the Hunnaman Hand tub.
 

In July of 1880, the town purchased a Ladder Truck (horse drawn) for $325.00.  No Ladder Company would be formed until November 1892.

In 1880, after Start Engine 3 was put out of service and its engine house was sold for $195.00, equipment and apparatus was housed in the new firehouse on Central Street.
 

The most severe fire of the decade occurred on January 7, 1888.  The blaze would destroy the Cross Pump Mill on the Winnipesaukee River. The fire started at 5 am near a “hot box and although several employees were present nobody seemed to understand that water is a good thing to use on such occasions.”

In a short time, the whole building was in flames and nothing could be done to save it.  The fire also spread to a large pulp wood storage shed, which was also destroyed.  Loss was $100,000.  In dollar value, this fire exceeded the paper mill fire of 1872.

Franklin’s water system was established in 1891.  Sixty-five hydrants were installed and a covered masonry reservoir was built on Pleasant Street.  This reservoir was the second one built in New England and the first circular one.  Total cost of the system was $85,000.  The capacity of the reservoir was 504,300 gallons.

Also in 1892, Engine No. 1 was put in reserve and the Company was disbanded.  Engine Co. No. 1 had served for 60 years.

A new hose carriage was purchased and a new company was formed.  Ten men were accepted to form Hose Company No. 1.

Another new company was formed on November 18, 1892 to run with the ladder truck purchased in 1880.

In 1894, Chief Engineer Fred Aikens recommended a hose reel be put on Willow Hill, and another on Prospect Hill, “which would be of greatest service in cases of fire in either of these localities”.  His ideas were adopted and eventually, hose reel houses were placed in areas where, during winter, apparatus could not go.  The original reel house that was utilized at the New Hampshire Orphan’s Home here in Franklin is still in the Departments’ possession at the Museum, with the original hose reel.

January 1895, Chief Elias Ayles asked City Council for a “better system of giving an alarm (of fire).  It is imperative, as we are now situated, it is often necessary to travel quite a distance before an alarm of fire can be sounded and much valuable time is thus wasted.  A fire alarm system with a few boxes placed in different parts of the city would be of the greatest help in directing firemen.”

In March it was voted by the Council to purchase a hose wagon from the Boston Woven Hose Company, a one horse wagon and equipment for $310.00.  it was light and strong with two Holloway Pony Extinguishers (soda and acid), two axes, two lanterns and a gong.

At this time, early 1896, the Chief and Firewards voted that “Hose Company No. 1 shall not report on first alarms, but to report on second alarms only.”  Apparently the steamer was doing a good job and at most fires it was the only apparatus needed.

By September 1896, a new fire alarm system had been installed.  Six new boxes had been located in various parts of the city, connected to a gong (steam whistle) located on a paper mill near the fire house.  This system was also connected to the Baptist and Christian Churches, where apparatus for ringing the church bells, to coincide with the alarm box, was installed.

This system would work well as long as there was a head of steam at the paper mill.  When the mill was closed this system, except for the church bell, would not work.  Eventually, a better system would be installed.

On January 11, 1898, the steamer company took the hose out of the wagon and loaded it on a sleigh for the winter, as the roads were impassable for wheeled vehicles.  This action would continue each year until the roads would be plowed instead of rolled.

On October 5, 1899, Daniel Webster Steamer Company voted to do away with the terms, Foreman and Assistant Foreman and hereafter refer to Captain and Lieutenant.  The other company’s must have followed their example as we do not see these old terms used after this time.

The Twentieth Century

A disastrous fire hit the community early Saturday morning, January 16, 1900.  As a result of the fire, the Burleigh Block was ruined.  This block was the first brick building on Central Street, having been erected in 1871, but had a large wooden annex.

The alarm was sounded at 5am, followed by a second alarm which called out the entire department.

The main part of the building was divided into three stores on the ground floor.  The upper floors (three stories) were offices and private apartments.  Occupants were awakened quickly and exited by the stairs, although some had to be rescued over ladders, while others were rescued by firemen entering the building.

The fire started in one of the stores and spread rapidly, horizontally as well as vertically.  The large wooden annex was now heavily involved, burning fiercely.  Ten 2 ½ inch hose lines were in use at this time from mill yards as well as city hydrants.

The fire took three hours to bring under control, having gutted the entire building.  Loss would be estimated at $51,000.00.

Water Department records showed that 493,000 gallons of water was used to extinguish this fire.

Horses for pulling fire apparatus had been supplied by the paper mills but finally the mills decided they could no longer continue the policy.

City horses had to be used.  However, these horses were kept in the city stable on Bow Street.  The fire house was on Central Street away from the horses.  When the alarm sounded, firemen had to locate the city workers and return to the fire house to hitch horses to the apparatus.

Eventually, the fire house on Central Street was moved to Bow Street and connected to city stables.  At night, the horses were now available, but during the day, the absent horses were still a problem.

On Sunday, December 7, 1902 at 8:30 am, fire was discovered in the Congregational Church on South Main Street.  It would be the most serious fire since the Burleigh Block of 1900.

The members of Hose Company across the street were soon on the scene.  The alarm was sounded but the whistle would not sound because there was no steam on at the paper mill.

A second alarm was run in, calling the steamer but it was one hour and 35 minutes before it arrived, drawn by city horses.

The paper mill horses were supposed to draw the steamer, but it was claimed that the alarm was not heard and it was necessary to hunt up the city horses and a driver.

The fire started near the furnace and spread rapidly and in a short time had reached the upper part of the building.  Soon the fire reached the steeple and now beyond the reach of hose streams.

The fire was under control at 4:36 pm, described by Daniel Webster Steamer record as a “perfect ruin”.
 

A new Seagraves Hook and Ladder Truck was purchased from C.N. Richardson for $2250.  It was a two horse design.  This apparatus was put into service in 1904.

Another serious fire broke out on July 29, 1908.  It was in the property of Charles Prescott on the corner of Webster and Main Streets.  Box 14 was sounded but the paper mill was shut down and that resulted in the inability to sound the whistle.  (Again the problem of no steam.)  With only church bell sounding, firemen did not arrive as soon as they would have if the whistle sounded.

The Ladder truck horses were working on Willow Hill and the driver did not hear the alarm.  He was coming down Central Street when someone told him of the fire.  Again, the problem of horses away from apparatus manifested itself.

The additional problem of “no steam for the whistle” soon would be solved, a problem that had hampered the Department many times before.

In August of 1908 it was voted by City Council to install a compressed air plant for operating the fire whistle, to cost $1400.  Another positive step had been taken but not before more valuable property had been destroyed.  This problem of “doing nothing until there is no alternative” seems to have existed from earliest times.

An alarm from Box 14, the corner of Main and Webster, was sounded on July 15, 1909 for a fire in the Boston Excelsior Company for one of the worst fires to hit in some time.

The fire started in some waste excelsior between piles of wood and spread immediately to wood.  The poplar was dry as tinder and burned fiercely.

The fire burned form 2pm until brought under control at 4pm.  Two thousand cords of wood were destroyed as well as a store house containing 100 tons of excelsior, which “burned like gunpowder”.

The steamer pumped two streams until midnight.

In 1910, City Council raised the salary of the Chief to $100 a year and 50 cents an hour for service at fires, reduced the number of assistant chiefs from four to two, raised their pay from $20.00 to $30.00 a year and f50 cents per hour for fires. Clerk’s salary was raised from $5.00 per year to $15.00 a year.  Firemen would get $20.00 per year, 50 cents for the first hour and 35 cents for each hour thereafter, except for brush fires, where their pay would be 25 cents.

The Engineer of the steamer would receive $1.00 per hour for fires, 50 cents for drills and 35 cents for cleaning and repairing the engine.

The mechanical age arrived, finally, in 1912.  B.M. Prescott Jr. presented a proposition to the City Council offering to furnish an auto truck, equipped with hose, extinguishers, axes and clothing for firemen. Cost would be $1100. for two years.  He would also supply the drive.

Later in the year, the proposal was adopted and Prescott’s Garage built the hose and chemical wagon carrying eight pony extinguishers, 500 reel of 2 ½ inch hose, axes and other equipment.  The truck went into operation on April 20, 1912.

The Sawyer Block, a three story brick building on Central Street was hit by fire on January 11, 1914.  The blaze started in the cellar and raged for three hours before 17 lines of hose brought it under control.

The flames raced from the cellar, through stores on the street level, then into partitions to the third floor.  The loss was over $30,000.  Destroyed were:  Sawyer’s Grocery, C.P. Stevens Hardware, offices and apartments.

On April 25, 1914, the Boston Excelsior Company was again hit by fire.  Two large, two-story wooden buildings, all machinery and contents were completely destroyed.

In the buildings, 300 tons of excelsior was destroyed.  Total loss was $30,000.

The firehouse on Central Street was to be moved to Bow Street, connected to city sheds, where more efficient use of the horses could be utilized.  So in 1915, it was voted to do just that.  The city stables would be moved back to allow room for the station.  Walter Hill of Tilton would do the job for $800.00.

The steamer and hook and ladder were together where one man would be able to care for everything.

This was done to eliminate the problem of horses being away from fire apparatus, but during the day when city equipment made use of the horses, the problem still existed.  This would only end with mechanical apparatus.

The absent horse problem was soon to end.  In 1915, the Council voted to purchase a truck built on a 1911 six cylinder Winton Chassis.  The truck would contain a 40 gallon chemical tank, 600 feet of hose, extension and roof ladders, 200 feet of chemical hose, lanterns, axes, crowbar and other equipment.

This piece would be the first city owned and maintained motorized apparatus.  The truck would prove somewhat less than a complete success, but it was a new beginning.
 

The expense of running the Winton truck was becoming critical, averaging $55.00 each time it responded to a call, $600.00 per year and an additional $350.00 to put it in good shape.

In 1918 Mr. Prescott presented, to the Council, a five year contract for $75.00 per month, for which he would furnish a high duty fire truck and driver to reach all parts of the city.  This truck would carry the equipment on the Winton and that on the Seagraves Ladder Truck.  This proposal was accepted and the Winton and Seagraves were done away with.

The Daniel Webster Steamer was called to East Andover on July 4, 1919.  At this time, the steamer was pulled over the roads by auto.  Old time firemen claimed that the steamer exploded at this fire, but based on available information, it is believed that hauling the steamer over rough roads dealt the final blow, splitting many of the seams.  It was, at any rate, to have fought its last fire.
 

On December 26, 1919, the I.O.O.F. Block was struck by fire.  The interior of the large three story brick building was completely ruined.  A few minutes before 8 am, a clerk noticed smoke coming from the cellar.  He checked the cellar and found heavy smoke and fire around the boiler.  He sounded Box 25.

The Fire Department played water into the basement but could not confine the fire.  It reached the partitions and spread quickly to the roof.

Nine streams were played on the fire, five from city hydrants, four from the mills.

Heavy damage was done to the second floor with partial collapse of the second and third floors.  Damage was estimated at $80,000.  This building would burn again in 1924.

In July of 1921, City Council voted to buy an American LaFrance.  It would be a four cylinder 600 gallon pumper and cost $10,000.  And so, after two years of discussion and debate, Franklin was to own its first fire pumper.  It, as the Winton, would not fair well and be traded in 1925.

The truck arrived on March 13, 1922.  It was a 75 H.P., Type 10, 4 cylinder with a type 39 pump.

The Daniel Webster Steamer Company would now become Engine Company No. 1.

Charles Brace was the city’s first full time driver.  He would work 24 hours a day, six days a week, with the seventh day off.  In addition to driving the LaFrance, he had to feed the city’s seven horses, and answer the phone.  His pay – twenty-one dollars a week.

At 3:30 am on February 13, 1923, the city was awakened by the fire alarm from Box 114 at the buildings of the New Hampshire Orphan’s Home.  It would prove to be disastrous for the local department.  The following article was taken from the Journal Transcript:

“Snow was falling and the road was impassable for trucks.  Equipment was loaded on sleighs and the firemen were taken over the road.  A little later (about 5:40 am) four blows were sounded for more help.  Assistance was also called from Concord, but the Concord Department aboard a special train, stopped in Penacook and turned back as Chief Colby and his men had the fire under control.”

“There were 61 children in the nursery building, all under seven years of age.  All were saved and no injuries were reported.”

“Fireman Peter Savoie and his fellow firemen were playing a stream into the nursery and were about to put up a ladder against hew all when it collapsed without warning.  Because of the deep snow, the men had no chance to run from the falling bricks and were buried beneath them.  They were quickly dug out and were placed on cots of a baggage car on the 6am train to Franklin.  A truck form Prescott’s Garage met the train at the depot and took the men to the hospital.”

“Peter Savoie was operated on but died soon after without regaining consciousness.”

 “Five other firemen were injured.  Arthur Wise had both legs broken.  Ernest Murphy had a compound fracture of his left arm and a severe cut on his head.  Three others were less inured”.

“Damage was $60,000.”

This would be the first new piece for Ward 1, since the original Hunneman, as that Station would be “handed down” second hand apparatus from Central Station.

On July 14, 1942, Box 25 was sounded at 1:30 am for fire in J.J. Newberry’s on Central Street.  It proved to be one of the most stubborn fires to hit the city in several years.  Firefighters battled for eight hours to bring the blaze under control.  Smoke was very intense and three firemen were overcome, while 12 other firemen were treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire started in the basement stock room.  In time, the floor fell through in a large part of the store.  Their stock and fixtures were a total loss.

The new Chief, Leslie Boomhower, stated that it was the most difficult fire to fight that he had ever seen.

Damage to the building and contents was $75,000.  Fourteen hose lines were used to control the flames.  Water use estimate was 350,000 gallons.
 

In 1942, there were three drivers working at Central Station.  Their work week was six days on, one day off.  The system hadn’t changed for years.

The first two-way radio was added to the Department in 1943.  Communications prior to this time was by telephone, that is, if the fire building had a usable phone.

In 1947, the deputies would be appointed from within the permanent ranks.  Previously, all deputies were call men.  City Council appointed Carl Gilman and Robert Cunningham to fill the posts.

In 1948, the Department would purchase a “new” truck for $648.  The truck was a 1939 Chevrolet purchased from North Main Motors and a tank bought from Prescott’s Garage.  A booster pump was installed and Franklin had its first tank truck to carry water outside the hydrant district.  The tank held 700 gallons of water and was responsible for saving the house of Albert Hebert on Calef Hill Road on January 18, 1949.
 

During 1948, three more drivers were hired to work at Central, one of whom was  Chief Boomhower.  The Department went to a two platoon system of three men each shift.  Working hours were thus reduced to 84 per week, 48 hours on 24 hours off.

Another spectacular fire hit Franklin on April 30, 1949.  This fire having tragic results with the death of three people.

The fire broke out at 10:30 am and spread rapidly to engulf the upper floors of the three story wooden building.  The victims were quickly trapped and died as a result of smoke inhalation.

The Department quickly raised ladders buy heavy clouds of black smoke made entry impossible.

Assistance was called from Tilton and Laconia as well as Steven’s Mill work crews.

This building, the Stewart Block, housed the News and Book Store and the Colonial Restaurant on the street floor with apartments above.  The block was over 90 years old.  During the flu epidemic that hit this area following World War One, the building was used as a hospital.  Damage was $75,000.
 

The City purchased a 1949 GMC one ton delivery wagon for $1500. to replace the Lincoln Rescue Truck that had been destroyed in an accident.  It was painted red, equipped with a generator and search lights and carried first aid equipment formerly on the Lincoln.

The first two self contained breathing apparatus were also purchased in 1949.  It would still be many years before the Department possessed enough such apparatus to be effective.
 

In September 1950, City Council voted to buy a new fire truck to replace the unsafe 1926 pumper.  In October, it was decided to purchase a Seagraves Fire Engine as a cost of $15,259.  It would be a 750 gallon pumper, 12 cylinders, 202 horsepower unit.
 

Fire was discovered in Bailey Antique Shop on South Main Street.  It was at this fire that faith would deal another blow to the Department.  Deputy Robert Cunningham received an electrical shock that was to see him become seriously ill and be the cause of his death.

Bob fought the fire without gear other than his metal helmet.  He came in contact with electrical wires and was knocked to the floor.  He got up and again was hit by the wires, this time knocking him unconscious.  For more than a year, he fought to survive but lost the fight on March 10, 1952.

Bob had entered the Department in 1931.
 

Winter of 1966 saw fire destroy Packer’s Outlet on Central Street.  At 1:43 AM, December 14, Box 163 sounded.  The building was well involved when fire equipment arrived.  Firefighters concentrated on saving the House of Captain Arthur Tilton of the Ladder Company.  The house was wet down and only windows were cracked due to the heat.

The fire was fought during a heavy wet snowfall.  Damage was $150,000.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Home was destroyed by fire on July 6, 1969.  The fire was discovered at 3:10 AM.  On arrival, firemen found flames shooting from the second story.

The fire, for some time, threatened other property.  Eight 2 ½ inch lines and several 1 ½ inch lines were used to bring the flames under control by 5 AM.

The building was an old structure dating back to the early 1800’s.  Loss was well over $14,000.

Bids were opened on December 23, 1969 for a new fire station to be built on West Bow Street.  A bid from Bonnette, Page and Stone, for $150,719. was accepted.

The problem of a new fire station had been going on since 1921 when it was proposed to build an addition to City Hall for a new station.  This failed.

Then in 1929, a lot was purchased by the City at the corner of West Bow and Central Streets.  This lot would be the site of a new station.  Nothing further occurred and the lot was sold.

In 1934, the need of a new fire station was “finally” realized and a set of plans were drawn up by Wells, Hudson and Granger of Hanover at no cost to the City.  These plans were dated January 11, 1934.  Nothing more was done.

And still, in 1944 a new set of plans were drawn by Hudson and Ingram of Hanover.  And again, nothing would be done in regards to building a new station.

It appeared that everyone agreed we needed a new station but no one wanted the expense.

Again, in 1964, discussion of Council was the new station, but that is all it was, a discussion.

But in 1966, Council voted to discontinue major repairs to the existing station.  This was the first major step towards a new station.

Franklin’s new fire station was dedicated on September 27, 1970.  The dedication program was climaxed by the official unveiling of the plaque on the front of the building.  Chief Moise Mercier and Deputy William Beckford did the honors.

The plaque read, “In memory of all the personnel of the Franklin Fire Department who sacrificed their lives in performance of their duties, and also many years of faithful service to the Department and Community.”
 

Chief Moise Mercier retired on December 31, 1973.  He had served 37 years.

In January 1974, a new Ward LaFrance Pumper was put into service.  It was a 1250 GPM pumper and replaced the 1941 Federal which was sold to Engine Company No. 1

The new truck would have pre-connected 1 1/2 inch and 2 ½ inch hose lines.  Cost of this vehicle was $39,500.
 

In 1976, City Council voted $69,000 for the purchase of a new truck.  It would replace the Seagraves.  The new pumper was a Warner-Swazey with a 1250 GMP pump.  It had a hose reel capable of carrying 4 inch hose, which is attributable to a supply truck, not an attack truck as was planned.

The new piece had pre-connected lines, carried eight breathing apparatus and also had a pre-connected deck gun.
 

Chief Richard Navaroli resigned on January 29, 1978.  He would resume the duties of Fire Chief in Nashua.  Deputy Chief Norman Beauchemin would be appointed Chief in April.

Lightning struck the barn of Clarence Fife on South Main Street on August 9, 1979. In a matter of minutes, the barn, along with 40 calves, was destroyed.  It had been one of the original barns in the community, once part of the Daniel Webster Home for Children.

An important event took place in August 1980.  Franklin Fire Department became the first Fire Department in the state to have all of its permanent firefighters Nationally Registered EMT’s and N.H. State Certified Firefighters.

On July 22, 1981 an alarm of fire was received at 8:58 PM from Grevior Furniture Store on Central Street.  When the first unit arrived, flames were shooting high above the four story building.

The fire originated in an alley east of the building, in a pile of discarded cardboard boxes.

Though the “Sawyer Building”, built in 1887, had a brick façade on this front, the rear was made of wood.  It was against a wooden wall that the fire started.

Chief Norman Beauchemin called in a second alarm at 9:02, a third alarm at 9:55 PM and a forth alarm at 10:43 PM.  Firefighters and apparatus responded from Hill, Tilton-Northfield, Sanbornton, Andover, East Andover, Boscawen, Salisbury, Bristol and Alexandria.  Firefighters from Loudon, Concord, Laconia and Bow also assisted.

Interior fire tactics had to be terminated as the fire progressed and master streams had to be used.

At 11:40 PM, the roof and fourth floor collapsed onto the third floor.  Fortunately, all other floors held and the walls did not fall.

At 12:30 AM, Thursday morning, Chief Beauchemin radioed the “under control”.  However, it would be many long hours before the “all out” could be given.  Apparatus remained on the scene until 9:00 Pm Thursday, a full 24 hours after the start of the fire.

Damage was estimated at $500,000.  Sears Roebuck also occupied the street level in the building.  Their inventory was also destroyed.

This fire would be recorded as one of the largest in Franklin.  It was estimated that 125 firefighters were on the scene.
 

In July 1983, City Council voted $100,000 to purchase a new fire truck.  The new engine would replace the 10 year old Ward LaFrance which was rusting badly.  Repairs to the old engine would have been $28,500.

The new truck would have a Mack Chassis and a Grumman Body.  It would carry 600 gallons of water and could pump 1250 GPM.

This truck could take Franklin’s hills at 55 mph.
 

Grevior Furniture and Sears Roebuck were struck again by fire on May 1, 1986.  Three alarms were struck for equipment and manpower.  About 100 Firefighters, many with breathing apparatus, from eleven communities battled the fire for 3 ½ hours.

There were no serious injuries but eight firefighters were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion.

Shortly after the fire started, firefighters were forced out of the now two story building by heat and smoke.  A defensive battle had to be fought to keep the flames form spreading to Dan’s Pharmacy, directly adjacent to the Grevior building.  Firefighters poured up to 10,000 gallons of water per minute on the building.

Damage was very heavy, both to the structure and to the contents of both stores.