Aging Pennsylvania Firehouse Becomes Part of Miner Memorial

SIPESVILLE, Pa. (AP) -- An aging firehouse where relatives of nine trapped Somerset miners gathered for three tense days before their loved ones were rescued will not be repaired but instead will be moved and used as part of a memorial.

Organizers of the newly formed Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation on Tuesday announced plans to move the turn-of-the-century Sipesville Fire Hall to a farm two miles away that was the scene of the dramatic rescue of the miners on July 28, 2002.

The fire hall won't be needed when the fire company moves into a new $450,000 station next year in Sipesville, about 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

``With this new building program, we have our hands full without having to worry about the disposal of the building,'' said Dan Carr, captain of the fire company.

The company agreed to donate the fire hall to the foundation, led by farmer Bill Arnold, rather than have it demolished or dismantled for souvenirs.

Arnold, who owns the farm where the rescue took place, is seeking $8,000 in donations to buy and help move the firehouse, which will likely be used to display mining artifacts and as a visitor's center to the site.

``One of the most common questions we get at the memorial is 'Where is the fire hall and how do we get there?''' Arnold said. ``This will complete the circle.''