History of the Bellefontaine Fire Department
The Department’s Proud New Addition - An Ahrens-Fox Ladder Truck.
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Prior to 1857, fires in the city of Bellefontaine were fought by residents and available helping hands armed with buckets of water from a spring and private wells. Bellefontaine suffered a devastating fire on a November 1st, 1856 which destroyed a large portion of the downtown business district, thirty one businesses were destroyed. This fire set a course for change concerning fire protection in the city. Soon after the fire a movement was made toward establishing a Fire Department. City council managed an amount of $30.00 for the purchase of ladders and fire hooks with chains. Later a carpenter was ordered to build a shed behind the courthouse at the cost of $24.24 for the storage of these items.
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In March of 1858, a hand operated pumper was purchased for $1,500.00 and a volunteer firefighting organization known as the Fountain Fire Company was formed. In October of that same year another $345.00 was spent for six town cisterns.
In 1859 a suitable house was built to house the firefighting equipment and was located on East Columbus Ave. A second firefighting company was formed under the name of the Rescue Fire Company which served to aid the Fountain Fire Company.
In 1876 a Silsby steamer fire engine was brought to the Northern Ohio Volunteer Fireman's tournament for exhibition. As it would happen a fire broke out in the Goe building and the steamer was pressed into service. The fire was quickly brought under control and the following morning the merchants of the town met with council and "strongly advocated" the purchase of the Silsby steam engine. The cost of this engine was $4,300.00. Shortly thereafter a team of horses was obtained to pull the engine. "Bill and Sandy" quickly became pets of the city. The old hand pumper was sold to the village of Zanesfield.
The year of 1878 witnessed the establishment of a paid fire department. The nine men staffed the firehouse both day and night. They served from the E. Columbus location until July 1898 when fire destroyed the firehouse, the firefighters and horses barely escaping with their lives. The departments equipment was then temporarily stored in a large barn behind Dr. Hamer's office until a new station was built at the corner of E. Columbus Ave. and N. Madriver St. (Pictured Above; The cornerstone of this building is on display in the current department.) This beautiful building served the department well seeing changes from horse drawn equipment to more modern motor driven apparatus.
Finally, due to changing times and increasing needs for space the department was moved to its current location at 201 W. Sandusky Ave.
In 1859 a suitable house was built to house the firefighting equipment and was located on East Columbus Ave. A second firefighting company was formed under the name of the Rescue Fire Company which served to aid the Fountain Fire Company.
In 1876 a Silsby steamer fire engine was brought to the Northern Ohio Volunteer Fireman's tournament for exhibition. As it would happen a fire broke out in the Goe building and the steamer was pressed into service. The fire was quickly brought under control and the following morning the merchants of the town met with council and "strongly advocated" the purchase of the Silsby steam engine. The cost of this engine was $4,300.00. Shortly thereafter a team of horses was obtained to pull the engine. "Bill and Sandy" quickly became pets of the city. The old hand pumper was sold to the village of Zanesfield.
The year of 1878 witnessed the establishment of a paid fire department. The nine men staffed the firehouse both day and night. They served from the E. Columbus location until July 1898 when fire destroyed the firehouse, the firefighters and horses barely escaping with their lives. The departments equipment was then temporarily stored in a large barn behind Dr. Hamer's office until a new station was built at the corner of E. Columbus Ave. and N. Madriver St. (Pictured Above; The cornerstone of this building is on display in the current department.) This beautiful building served the department well seeing changes from horse drawn equipment to more modern motor driven apparatus.
Finally, due to changing times and increasing needs for space the department was moved to its current location at 201 W. Sandusky Ave.
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