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Shamokin/Coal Township Fires

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(01.02.1977) Walnut Towers Inn- This fire killed 9 people, including owner John Luckens who became trapped in an elevator that shorted out. Two Shamokin firefighters were arrested after they started the blaze in an empty room on the second floor. The fire was reported at 1:53 a.m. after a young couple driving by noticed flames, and ran into the lobby to report the fire...<br /> <br /> This is what the building looked like in 1974 --> <a href="http://www.daladophotography.com/The-Thomas-Collection/Historic-Shamokin-1/3333626_jcqphX#!i=2207244985&k=zBgxDTS">http://www.daladophotography.com/The-Thomas-Collection/Historic-Shamokin-1/3333626_jcqphX#!i=2207244985&k=zBgxDTS</a>
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(01.02.1977) Walnut Towers Inn- This fire killed 9 people, including owner John Luckens who became trapped in an elevator that shorted out. Two Shamokin firefighters were arrested after they started the blaze in an empty room on the second floor. The fire was reported at 1:53 a.m. after a young couple driving by noticed flames, and ran into the lobby to report the fire...

This is what the building looked like in 1974 --> http://www.daladophotography.com/The-Thomas-Collection/Historic-Shamokin-1/3333626_jcqphX#!i=2207244985&k=zBgxDTS

  • ...Thousands of area residents watched from all angles firefighters battle the blaze. A rear wall collapsed at 8 p.m. Shamokin radio station WISL transmitted a plea to anyone with fresh water to bring it to the scene for thirsty firefighters. Firefighter Matt Baskin escaped injured when the 85-foot ladder quickly closed after a cable broke. Firefighter Earl Sheriff, 22, was transported to a hospital for breathing in too much smoke.
  • (Jan 09, 1976) Two fires – one deadly – occurred 22 minutes apart on this horrific night. At 11:18 p.m. a call was put out for a fire at the Market Street National Bank at 10 S. Market St. As flames flowed from the ceiling and up the walls of the bank, a residential fire was called in at 11:40 p.m. at 100 N. Eighth St., just blocks away...
  • (Jan 9, 1976) ...The fire killed 48-year-old Katie Frost, who lived in the home. Five row homes were damaged. At the bank fire, the floor caved in at 1:15 a.m. The four-alarm fire caused $600,000 in damage. (A determination on either fire could not be located in articles.)
  • (05.22.1976) Third and Walnut streets.
  • (10.24.1976) Maue's Mill- Fire destroyed the former mill that was being used as the city warehouse.
  • (01.02.1977) Walnut Towers Inn- This fire killed 9 people, including owner John Luckens who became trapped in an elevator that shorted out. Two Shamokin firefighters were arrested after they started the blaze in an empty room on the second floor. The fire was reported at 1:53 a.m. after a young couple driving by noticed flames, and ran into the lobby to report the fire...<br /> <br /> This is what the building looked like in 1974 --> <a href="http://www.daladophotography.com/The-Thomas-Collection/Historic-Shamokin-1/3333626_jcqphX#!i=2207244985&k=zBgxDTS">http://www.daladophotography.com/The-Thomas-Collection/Historic-Shamokin-1/3333626_jcqphX#!i=2207244985&k=zBgxDTS</a>
  • (01.02.1977) Walnut Towers Inn
  • (01.02.1977) Walnut Towers Inn- ...After alerting staff, they drove their car to the corner or Second and Walnut streets where they turned in the alarm. After a Shamokin fire marshal took over the investigation from state police, Shamokin police charged David Dietman, 21, and Anthony Primerano, 19, with setting the fire. Each received 9 to 20 years in prison.
  • (01.02.1977) Walnut Towers Inn.
  • (01.02.1977) Walnut Towers Inn- A smokey scene at the fire.
  • (01.01.1977) Walnut Hotel Fire.
  • (01.02.1977) Here, Independence Fire Company Engine 41 is covered with ice later that day.
  • (01.02.1977) This is the top floor of the building. It was estimated that the 4-story building had a loss of $400,000. Although badly damaged, the first floor was restored in 1983 as "The Coal Hole," a bar and restaurant. It remained open until the beginning of the 21st century...
  • (01.02.1977) ...Here, a firefighter looks at the elevator that short circuited during the fire, which trapped and killed owner John Luckens...
  • (01.02.1977) ...State police fire marshal Barry Slotter, left, and Shamokin Police Detective James Hodge view a room on the second floor...
  • (01.02.1977) ...A firefighter points to a window where a woman jumped out to escape the fire...
  • (01.02.1977) ...Firefighters remove a body from the building...
  • (10.22.1978) 900 E. Lincoln St.
  • (07.17.1980) Zeigler's Furniture and Appliance Store at 200 E. Lincoln St.- Lightning ignited this fire during a thunderstorm. Flames erupted during a severe electrical storm at around 6:15 a.m. The fire completely ruined the building and its contents...[First fire occurred in April of 1958.]
  • ...When PP&L officials pulled the electrical meter from the outside of the building, it showed a surge of power that melted the inside. The surge, officials said, caused every outlet in the building to arc. Father Richard Randall spotted smoke a few minutes after heard the thunder.
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