On Monday, April 2, 2007, at approximately 5:20 P.M., disaster struck another Bellefonte, PA, historic structure. Just two weeks after the borough council was presented with the Fire Protection Master Plan (see page 56), fire destroyed a 130-year-old residence.
The Bellefonte Fire Department was initially dispatched for a brushfire at the Victorian Manor Bed and Breakfast at 347 E. Linn St. Fire Chief Fred Bruno was first to arrive and found the rear porch of the three-story home in flames. He immediately upgraded the box assignment to a "building fire." Two minutes later, Bruno requested a second alarm as flames quickly spread through the building. Responding on the first alarm were Bellefonte Engines 1-11 and 2-12; Truck 2-17 and Rescue Engine 1-14. Bellefonte Engine 2-10 and Truck 2-16 responded on the second alarm along with mutual aid from Citizen's Hook and Ladder in Milesburg; the Alpha Fire Company in State College; the Pleasant Gap Fire Department; the Centre Hall Fire Company; and Bellefonte Emergency Medical Services.
Firefighters mounted an aggressive interior attack and knocked down the visible fire on the first and second floors using three 1¾-inch lines and three 2½-inch lines. Despite these efforts, the fire had already spread through numerous voids between the first and third floors and extended into the attic.
Bruno ordered the building evacuated after 25 minutes of interior operations. Defensive operations were initiated using aerial master streams from Ladder 2-17 and Tower 2-16; Engine 1-11's deck gun and large handlines. The fire was declared under control after three hours of firefighting operations. The building suffered heavy damage on all three floors. Two firefighters were transported to Mount Nittany Medical Center for treatment of injuries. The cause and origin are under investigation by the Bellefonte Fire Department and the Pennsylvania State Police fire marshal. Damage was estimated at nearly $1 million.
The three-story brick home was built in 1877 of the Second Empire style. There are approximately 15 other buildings in Bellefonte's historic district of the same style.
