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Hyattsville Volunteer

Fire Department

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HVFD148

After a catastrophic blaze in March of 1886 that left several hundred acres burned and a path of destruction that left livestock, farm buildings and even the school destroyed, the residents of the area that is now Hyattsville wondered what could be done to prevent such a horrific event in the future.

To that end, a solicitation was started for the purchase of a fire engine. The citizens contributed a total of $27 for that purpose. A hand pump was purchased and a barrel donated; both were taken to the local blacksmith and mounted on a two-wheel truck. A small, garden-type hose was placed on the pump and the village’s first fire engine was complete.

The first fire that the little engine (or Barrel, as it was called) responded to was the home or Mr. Addison K. Smith on Railroad Avenue. The fire alarm — the Presbyterian Church bell — was sounded at around 10:30 a.m. on October 6, 1888. The engine responded along with all the citizens, who carried every available vessel for holding water.

The home was occupied by Mr. J. F. Marshall, Mrs. Roberts and the Misses Stewart and Berry.

The fire had started in the upper floors. Fireman took their little hose line to the second floor and were making progress until the well supplying the water ran dry, at which point the citizens began to carry out the personal belongings of the occupants.

A call was made to the Washington Fire Department, and an engine was dispatched to the rail yards. A flatcar was moved to the loading dock, but a second call advising of the water condition cancelled the call.

The engine returned to its quarters. The big double house was now an inferno, and the neighbors began to pull down the fence that ran between the fire and the McFarland property.

Who had custody of the engine or where is was stored is unknown, but there must have been some problem. The Town Commissioners appointed two of their members to the fire department committee. One agreed to house the vehicle and a metal plate with the initials F.D. was placed over the barn door.

More stories from the history of the HVFD coming.

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News

New Fire Chief, Board Chair & Board Member Appointed
Help Us Serve You: Support the HVFD in Our Annual Fund Drive
Truck, Squad Conduct Searches, Assist Residents Evacuate in Langley Park Apartment Fire
Bunkroom Recruit Weekends Coming — Apply Today
Contract for New Seagrave Engine Underway
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Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department

6200 Belcrest Rd. Hyattsville, MD

ALL CONTENT, INCLUDING ALL IMAGES AND PHOTOGRAPHY EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY NOTED, COPYRIGHT 1995-2019, HYATTSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.

  • News
  • About
    • About the HVFD
    • Leadership & Officers
    • Response Statistics
    • Org & Response
    • Mission & Vision
    • Response Area
    • Alumni
    • Honoring Our Fallen
    • SOPs & Downloads
  • Join
    • Recruitment Center
    • Why Join & Getting Started
    • HVFD Live-In Experience – Fire Department Bunkroom Program
    • Member Benefits
    • Request Info
    • Membership Options
    • Recruitment Calendar
  • The Fleet
    • Engine
    • Rescue Squad
    • Hook & Ladder
    • EMS Fleet
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Archive
    • Video Center
    • Live Dispatch/Ops
  • Support
    • Donate Online
    • Amazon Smile
    • Fund Drive
    • Join the HVFD
  • Fire Safety
    • Ready.gov
    • Fire Safety for Kids (USFA)
    • Red Cross Fire & Disaster Safety
    • Sparky’s Home Page
  • Donate Now
  • Contact the HVFD
  • Dispatch
  • Ops