History

1919, downtown block burns.  Three stores housed in Thompson Building and a warehouse destroyed by fire.  Buildings comprise most of downtown (June, 1919) ^rt

1937, first water system connection made at Bank of Fuquay (September 6, 1937)^tws

1937-38, first fire truck and firefighting equipment purchased by town (December 1937-January 1938)^no13feb38

1938, Fuquay-Varina Volunteer Fire Department formed (February 1938) ^no13feb38

1938, first Fire Chief is W. Lee Rolland.  Serves until 1963. ^fdr

1946, main block of Fuquay-Springs burns. Blaze begins in repair shop of Proctor-Barbour Company, Wake County's largest farm supply and general merchandise store.  Employees are repairing a tractor when sparks from an acetylene torch ignite a bucket of gasoline.  Fire breaks out about 1:45 p.m. on a Thursday.  Fanned by a strong southwest wind, flames spread rapidly destroying four businesses and damaging five others.  All other town businesses close immediately and every available person heads to the scene, including children, to help either extinguish the fire of carry furnishings and merchandise from stores.  Nearby farmers see the flames and come into town to investigate.  Volunteer fire departments from Angier, Apex, Dunn, and Lillington assist.  The Raleigh Fire Department, located 15 miles away, is also called.  Traffic is detoured around the main part of town. Both the town and visiting firefighters are plagued with problems.  Fuquay's only fire truck has to be pushed two blocks to get it started.  Dunn's fire truck arrives, but finds Fuquay's water pressure too low to supply it.  Raleigh's fire truck breaks down and takes 15 minutes to repair. Headed by Raleigh Fire Chief R. W. Butts, the city department has adapters allowing Dunn's tanker to be used, thus saving the Bank of Fuquay from sustaining more than roof damage. Damages are estimated at $150,000.  Destroyed are:

• Proctor-Barbour Company
• the Wade Theater
• Barefoot Barber Shop
• Mudge & Prince Insurance Company

Damaged are:

• Bank of Fuquay
• Plymouth-Dodge Auto Agency
• Dr. W. S. Cozart's new clinic behind the bank
• Holleman's grocery across the street from the bank  (March 7, 1946) ^{rt, i07mar46}

1946, first new fire truck purchased:  1945 Mack Type 45 pumper. The truck is purchased after an emergency resolution by the Town Board to upgrade Fuquay's firefighting capacities. A bid by the Mack Truck Company is presented and accepted for $5,555.80.

1948, New Deal Warehouse No. 1 destroyed by fire, along with four "Negro dwellings" reports the November 22 edition of the Raleigh Times. Firemen and equipment respond from Raleigh, Angier, Apex, Fuquay, Dunn, and Ft. Bragg. Damage is estimated at more than $128,000 for the 75,000 square-foot warehouse. The first alarm is sent around 9 a.m. and the fire is brought under control in about an hour (Monday before November 22, 1948)^{rt, no23nov48}

1951, new municipal building dedicated at 131 Fuquay Avenue.  Includes apparatus bay for Fire Department (August 22, 1951) ^no12jul51

1954, rural fire department formed.  Incorporated as Fuquay-Varina Rural Fire Department.  Tom J. Bridges is first President.  Sponsor is Farm Bureau of Fuquay-Varina. (May 21, 1954) ^sos

1954, first rural fire station is tin shed / shelter in vicinity of 134 Fuquay Avenue^oh

1954, first rural fire apparatus:

• GMC 4x4 military surplus pumper loaned by Howe
• tanker built from military surplus
• 1954 Ford / Howe pumper

1954, first rural Fire Chief is Tom Bridges.  Serves until 1959 ^wcfa

1958, new (rural?) fire station completed (Fall 1958) ^{wcfa1, oh}

1963, Clifton Keith becomes City Fire Chief.  Serves until 1972 ^fdr

1963, community officially changes name from Fuquay-Springs to Fuquay-Varina with merger of post offices ^tws

1965, rural fire station completed at 128 Fuquay Avenue ^fdr

1966, rural fire station dedicated in memory of Chief Thomas J. Bridges. Ceremony starts at 2:30 p.m. (January 23, 1966)^fdr

1967, seven firefighter's wives meet at the Fuquay-Varina courthouse to organize rural fire department's first ladies auxiliary.  Guest speaker is Sherman Pickard, later Raleigh Fire Chief.  Mary Joyce Magnum is elected President and Charlotte Mangum is elected Secretary.  Another meeting is scheduled to elect remaining officers (April 14, 1967)^fdr

1967, firefighters vote to approve Ladies Auxiliary.  Mary Joyce Mangum serves as first president (June 1967) ^fdr

1967, Ladies Auxiliary holds first fundraiser, a bake sale at Rollins Jewelry on S. Main Street.  Total profit is $110.20 (June 10, 1967) ^fdr

1967, first Fireman's Day parade held.  First parade Chairman is William Oliver (October 14, 1967) ^fdr

1968, Ladies Auxiliary holds "Summer Fashion Show" at Fuquay-Varina High School Auditorium.  Admission to 8 p.m. event is $1.00 (May 17, 1968) ^fdr

1972, municipal and rural departments merge.  Fire Chief is Wayne Wortham.  Serves until 1973 ^fdr

1973, Fire Chief is James Mauldin. Serves until 1974^fdr

1973, first fire department sponsored turkey shoot held (Fall 1973) ^fdr

1975, Fire Chief is Douglas Knott.  Serves until 1976^fdr

1975, second annual Fireman's Banquet held at the Hickory House in Garner.  Walter Howard honored for 50 years of service to fire department (February 27, 1975) ^fdr

1977, Fire Chief is Edward Schmelzer.  Serves until 1978^fdr

1977, fourth annual Fireman's Banquet held at the Hickory House in Garner.  Jasper Weathers presented award of Fireman of the Year (Saturday before February 24, 1977) ⁱ

1977, seven businesses on South Main Street between Raleigh and Vance streets destroyed by fire.  Only building on block not damaged is Fidelity Bank of Fuquay on north end of block, saved by a solid brick fire wall.  Same block burned in March of 1946 and all buildings were destroyed. New buildings were subsequently erected with fire walls, but, over the years, the fire walls were altered and false ceilings erected to join stores.  Businesses destroyed or extensively damaged in the block of one- or two-story buildings:

• Kesler's, woman's clothing store, destroyed
• United Credit Corporation, destroyed except for records
• Country Garden Flowers and Gifts, destroyed
• Ransdall's clothing and shoe store for men and boys and largest store on block, destroyed
• Home Office Machines Company, total loss
• Earl Lee's Portrait Studio, water damaged but camera equipment saved
• Friendly Floriest on south end of block, all merchandise and equipment lost in second-story rooms, extensive water and smoke damage on first floor

Fire is discovered about 1:30 a.m. by passing police officer who spots smoke in Country Garden Flower and Gifts while checking stores.  Fire department is dispatched at 1:32 a.m.  Shortly after firefighters arrive, pressure from the heat inside the flower shop blows out the plate glass windows in the front of the building.  Holly Springs and Fairview fire departments also respond.  Fire spreads to all buildings on block, except bank, by 4 a.m.  Fire is under control by 6 a.m.  Damage is estimated at $500,000 or more. (March 1, 1977) ^no02mar77

1977, Adams Concrete Pipe Company on Highway 401 north of Fuquay suffers two fires in two days. On Sunday, a parked tractor-trailer catches fire.  Damage to the tractor is estimated at $10,000.  On Monday, just minutes after employees depart for day, fire is reported on roof of building.  Damage is estimated at around $28,000 to both the roof and the contents of the building.  Business owner James Adams asks the Sheriff's Department to investigate the cause of the fire.  Fire Chief  Doug Knott also plans a routine investigation and will contact the State Bureau of Investigation arson team if anything unusual is found. (April 7, 1977) ^na

1977, groundbreaking ceremony held at fire station site at 301 South Fuquay Avenue.  Just as ceremony ends, fire alarm sounds and firefighters respond to woods and grass fire. (August 1, 1977) ^rt01aug77

1977, (rural?) Fire Chief is Edward L. Sclmelzer (August 1, 1977)^rt01aug77

1977, fire apparatus stored in several locations:

• four rural trucks in fire station at 128 Fuquay Avenue, across street from Town Hall
• one town truck in garage at Town Hall at 134 Fuquay Avenue
• another town truck in building next door to Town Hall
• old pumper, used as backup truck, at Paragon label plant, located several blocks away (August 1, 1977)^{rt01aug77, fdr}

1977, Ladies Auxiliary holds bazaar to raise funds.  Copies also sold of cookbook compiled by members of the Firemen's Auxiliary.  Some of the special items to be sold at auction include:

• fire dogs, approximately 75 years old, solid brass top, cast iron base
• clock made by Seth Thomas about 1860 to 1880
• one Staffordshire gravy boat and two miniature candle holders
• unusually shaped, footed lamp table
• set of shuttle candle holders
• one 45-piece set of Noritak china
• 1969 Ford station wagon ^fdr

1978, fifth annual Fireman's Banquet held at the Hickory House in Garner.  Assistant Chief Johnny Jones presented award of Fireman of the Year (February 18, 1977) ^fdr

1978, new fire station dedicated at 301 South Fuquay Avenue.  One-story, 9,300 square-foot building has ten bays and includes a kitchen, radio room, meeting room, all-purpose room, Chief's office, and both maintenance and storage space.  Building also has showers and sleeping areas in the event the town later forms a full-time, paid fire department. Cost is $202,000, (partially?) financed with a Farmers Home Administration loan and is constructed on two-acre site formerly owned by Hudson-Belk.  The architect is Enviroteck of Raleigh and the builder is Metal Building System of North Carolina, Inc., headquartered in Sanford (December 3, 1978).^{oh, rt01aug77}

1979, Rogers Gulf Service and the Friendly Flower Shop on S. Main Street destroyed by fire (April 17, 1979) ^na

1979, anniversary parade held to commemorate 25th anniversary of rural fire department.  Event begins at 2 p.m. and consists of about twenty fire trucks and marching bands.  Fifteen different fire departments plan to participate.  Trophies are handed out for best-appearing fire trucks in various categories (October 6, 1979) ^na

1979, Fire Chief is Johnny Jones^fdr

1980, The Food Center burns (April 17, 1980)^fdr

1980, woods fire burns about 60 acres across road from Bazzel Creek Baptist Church.  Firefighters spend about six hours battling blaze reported about 2:30 p.m.  State Forestry Service assists.  Fire thought to have started by spark from a cutting torch at a salvard yard on Wilbon Road.  Flames are controlled in areas threatening homes; portion burning in woods requires assistance of Forestry Service plough.^na

1982, tanker transporting "dangerous chemicals" overturns on Highway 401 at Crumpier Hill.  Resulting leak results in evacuation of about 70 area residents (January 1982) ^na

1982, Southside Warehouse at corner of Highway 401 and Slaughter Pen Road burns to ground. Blaze is discovered by patrolling auxiliary firefighter at 2:12 p.m. The 34-year old, 70,000 square-foot wooden structure is nearly destroyed by the time firefighters from Fuquay and Holly Springs arrive. (April 28, 1982) ^i02mar82

1983, Creative Products sporting goods store at corner of Main and Vance streets burns. Fire is reported around 9:00 p.m. and by 9:30 p.m. smoke is gushing front and back of building.  Firefighters attempt interior attack but are driven back by smoke.  Around 10:30 p.m. the roof collapses.  About 60 firefighters battle blaze throughout Sunday night and into Monday morning, with Fuquay-Varina Fire Department personnel assisted by approximately 10 firefighters from Holly Springs. Damage is estimated at $90,000.  Water used is estimated at 850,000 gallons ^na

1984, Noles Cabinet company off Highway 401 three miles north of town destroyed by fire. Fire is discovered shortly after midnight and is believed started from electrical causes.  Seventeen firefighters battle blaze along with 10 members of Fairview Fire Department.  Exploding cans of paint and varnish inside hamper extinguishing effort.  One Fuquay firefighter, Ricky Stuart, suffers hand injury and requires six stitches after attempting to cut a hole in the building  (Friday before September 12, 1984) ^na

1984, fire department insurance rating improved from Class 8 to Class 5.  Resulting insurance rate changes take effect November 1, 1984 (October 1984) ^na

1984, Fireman's Day parade begins at 11:00 a.m.  Other events include water games, fire truck judging, and the raffling of a 23 1/2 inch color television.  Tickets cost $1 (October 22, 1984) ^na

1984, turkey shoot fundraiser conducted as part of special promotion teaming Field and Stream magazine and the National Volunteer Fire Council (November 1984) ^na

1985, annual Fireman's Banquet held at the Hickory House in Garner.  David Markle is honored as Fireman of the Year (March 23, 1985) ^na

1985, Bay Tree Apartments off Highway 42 west burn. Sunlight reflected from a makeup mirror on the balcony of apartment 109-H starts fire which causes extensive damage to roof above balcony (Thursday before May 1, 1985) ^na

1985, first female firefighter joins, Ginger Bass (November-December 1985)^na

1985, apparatus delivery: 1985 E-One pumper / tanker, 1500 GPM, 1000 gallons.  Cost $110,496 (June-July, 1985)^na

1985, Bazzel Creek Baptist Church destroyed by fire. Alarm is received at 4:30 a.m. and is answered by both Fuquay and Holly Springs firefighters.  Firefighters remain at scene until about 6 a.m. Church and its contents are insured for $400,00.  Arson is suspected in burning of 119 year-old building and law-enforcement authorities note that two bomb threats have been made in recent weeks. (December 27, 1985)^na

1986, thirteenth annual Firefighter's Banquet held. David Markle honored as Fireman of the Year (January 22, 1986) ^fdr

1986, J & L Pet Grooming Service and Tuggles Tavern, both located on Highway 401 about five miles north of Fuquay, gutted by flames.  Alarm is received at 4:35 a.m.. Both buildings are fully involved when firefighters arrive, who concentrate on stopping the spread of flames and saving the remaining businesses on the block.  A fire wall between the tavern and a bingo parlor helps stop the spread.  About 15 firefighters respond, assisted by 10 members of Fairview Fire Department.  At 6:05 p.m., second fire call received for a small building near the American Legion pond.  Four firefighters are dispatched from fire scene and joined by several others who report to station.  The building, which houses equipment and materials belonging to the Fuquay-Varina Heating and Air Condition Company, is destroyed (Thursday before March 5, 1986) ^na

1986,air compressor system purchased by County and installed at fire station (Summer 1986) ^wcfar

1986, residence near Hidden Valley Golf Course on Highway 55 destroyed by fire.  Fire is reported about 3:20 a.m. and is already engulfed by flames when firefighters from Fuquay and Angier arrive.  Fire takes about an hour and a half to bring under control and another hour to extinguish.  Water is shuttled by Fuquay firefighters from a hydrant at Southbound.  Later, Angier firefighters pump water from a swimming pool about 50 feet from the burning house. Two Fuquay firefighters are injured, Jan Kinton receiving first- and second-degree facial burns and David Keith receiving first- and second-degree burns to hands and wrist.  Both are hurt at the front of the two-story house when Keith opens the front door and a backdraft explosion results.  At the time of explosion, Keith is just inside the house and wearing an SCBA mask but his gloves are too short.  About six to eight pairs of the shorter gloves are subsequently removed from service.  Kinton is on the front porch, feeding hose to the firefighters inside the house, and is not wearing a breathing-air mask. (Friday before September 3, 1986) ^na

1986, Army National Guard gasoline tanker at intersection of Highway 42 and Main Street catches fire. Blaze begins about 11:55 a.m. under left rear of trailer. Four Guardsmen fight fire with extinguishers until fire department arrives.  Police block off highway for about 300 feet until firefighters arrive and suppress the flames.  Tanker contains an estimated 5,000 gallons of gasoline and is part of the 230th Support Battalion based in Durham.  Damage is estimated at $50 (September 6, 1986)^na

1986, fire department asks Harnett County Board of Commissioners to consider establishing fire tax district in northern area served by Fuquay-Varina fire department, or to consider financial contributions to fire department.  Fire Chief David Markle reports that firefighters have answered 316 calls to Harnett County in the past five years for an average of 63 calls per year, a figure representing 20 percent of the department's total calls.  The area of Harnett County covered by the fire department extends south along Highway 401 to a point below Kipling and west to the Cokesbury, Baptist Grove, and Duncan communities (Monday before September 17, 1986) ^na

1986, apparatus sold: 1954 Ford pumper, one of the first trucks owned by the rural fire department, is sold to Onslow Beach Volunteer Fire Department for $1 (October 1986) ^na

1986, fire department starts search for land for satellite station in Hilltop.  One to 1.5 acres are sought, preferably as close to Highway 401 as possible.  Creation of the station would establish a new fire tax distract which would extend into Willow Springs as well as north of Hilltop (Thursday before December 24, 1986)^na

1987, annual Firefighter's Banquet held at Marriott Hotel in Raleigh (January 24, 1987) ^fdr

1987, Piggly Wiggly grocery store on Wake Chapel Road burns. Fire is reported about 10:45 p.m. with about 60 firefighters battling the braze and successfully preventing spreading to an adjacent pharmacy, insurance company, restaurant, and laundry.  Holly Springs, Garner, and Fairview fire departments also respond. The Fuquay Rescue Squad stands by to handle injuries and provide additional lighting for firefighters.  Investigators later arrive from the City / County Bureau of Investigation, the Wake County Fire Marshall's office, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Raleigh Fire Department.  The fire is suspect to have started in the rear of the 24-year old building and is brought under control by 11:30 p.m.  Two firefighters receive minor injuries, one treated and released after receiving soot in his eyes and another suffering a bruise on his hand after a hose snaps out of a hose clamp.  Firefighters also receive aid from the owners of N.C. Chicken and Fish, who open their nearby restaurant to provide drinks and food.  Another onlooker provides donuts (Monday before April 15, 1987) ^na

1987, Harnett County Commissioners decline to include funding in 1987-88 budget for reimbursing fire department (August 1987)^na

1988 (?), apparatus delivery: 1988 FMC/Spartan with 1250 GPM pump and 500 gallons

1989, Carolina Gold Leaf flea market destroyed by fire. (December 11, 1989) ^no12dec89

1990 (?), apparatus delivery: 1990 E-One pumper/tanker, 1250 GPM, 1000 gallons

1990 (?), apparatus delivery: 1990 Ford 800 tanker, 1500 gallons

1991, fire station #2 completed at 5617 Hilltop Road ^oh

1993, rural department hires first paid personnel:  one Captain and four firefighters for daytime coverage (August 1993) ^fdr

1993, news helicopter crashes.  Three of four occupants aboard Aerospatiale AS350D Astar killed.  From NTSB report: news helicopter was returning from a reporting assignment at night in VMC conditions. The sole survivor, a sportscaster, reported that about 20 to 25 minutes before the crash, the engine chip light came on. The light came on and was reset by the pilot 5 to 10 times. There was also a loss of torque on the torque gauge. Subsequently, the engine lost power and the helicopter crash landed in an open field. The survivor's seat belt failed in the crash due to an improper installation, and he was thrown clear of the wreckage. [ Probably cause of accident is ] pilot's improper decision in continuing the flight with a known engine problem, and the subsequent seizure of the number two engine bearing, resulting in engine stoppage. Darkness [is] a related factor. (December 7, 1991) ^ntsb

1995 (?), apparatus delivery: 1995 Freightliner tanker, 1500 gallons

1995 (?), apparatus delivery: 1995 Freightliner service truck

1997 (?), apparatus delivery: 1997 Chevy 1500 pick-up

1998, apparatus delivery: 1997 Four Guys pumper 1500 GPM, 750 gallons (February 1998) ^fdr

1999, municipal and rural fire departments merge (spring 1999) ^oh

1999, full-time personnel staffing schedule changed to 24-hour shifts (July 1999) ^fdr

2000, apparatus deliveries: two 2000 Ford F150 covered-pick-up trucks (July 2000) ^fdr

2001, apparatus delivery: 2001 Pierce Dash 100' platform ladder, 2000 GPM, 300 gallons

2003, fire station #3 opens at 2474 Bud Lipscomb Road. (February 3, 2003) ^fdws

See Wake County apparatus register.

• ^cfd Cary Fire Department records
• ^fdr Fire department records
• ^fdws Fire department web site
• ⁱ The Independent
• ^na Newspaper article
• ^oh Oral history
• ^no News and Observer
• ^sos NC Department of the Secretary of State
• ^tws Town Web Site
• ^wcfa Wake County Firemen's Association records
• ^wcfa1 Wake County Firemen's Association minutes dated May 13, 1958

Last updated: June 10, 2004

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Copyright 2008 by Michael J. Legeros