Fires of 1946 bring citizens to establish Pikeville’s first fire department
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Two devastating fires at downtown businesses brought the community together to establish a volunteer fire department March 15, 1946. Eighty years later, Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department has continued to serve the citizens of Pikeville and Bledsoe County fighting fires and assisting in emergency situations when needed.
The need for an organized fire department was evident when a devastating fire swept through downtown Pikeville, leaving behind significant destruction and a deep financial loss for the community. The tragedy underscored the critical need for organized fire protection, and galvanized local leaders and residents into action.
According to a January 10, 1946 article from The Bledsonian-Banner, a fire occurred on January 6 that began in Lee’s Cash Store and spread into Simpson’s 5 & 10, then into the second story of First National Bank on Main Street. Damages were estimated at the time at $75,000, and equivalent to nearly $1.2 million loss today. With only garden hoses and buckets, the blaze was nearly impossible to control.
A second fire a few weeks later on February 25, damaged four buildings, adding another $25,000 in losses, a loss that equals $420,000 today.
It was those two fires that prompted the community to form the Pikeville Volunteer Fire Company. The City of Pikeville Council with concerned citizens began laying the groundwork for a dedicated fire department. Sam H. Brown took the lead as the captain for the department, a position he held for 14 years.
Later, the name of the fire company evolved to Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department, and the captain’s position changed to chief as the highest ranking officer.
The department received its first firefighting equipment in July of 1946, and training began for the 40-member department.
A siren was installed in downtown Pikeville and that is how the firemen were alerted to respond to a fire call.
Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department was the only one in Bledsoe County until 1977 when Mt. Crest Volunteer Fire Department was established.
Over the next few weeks, The Bledsonian-Banner will be featuring articles on the fire department – its members, its history, its accomplishments, and what it means to the residents of Pikeville and Bledsoe County.
Robert “Crow” and Agnes Simpson family photos of the fires that consumed Simpson’s 5 & 10, Lee’s Cash Store and a second story of First National Bank in 1946.
