A Brief History of the South Berwick Fire Department
Part 2
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In 1891 there were numerous woods fires due
to dry conditions, most notably at Agamenticus
Woods for three days in July and again in early
August.  Also in 1891 the Newichewanick Hook
and Ladder Company was started.  In 1894 the
town started connecting fire hydrants to the
1896 a steam fire alarm was installed.  Also in
1896 Hose Company No. 1 was formed
complete with bylaws that specified gentlemanly
conduct and spelled out rules of procedure.   


fire truck, the “Federal Knight” and an
electrically operated siren was installed in the
center of town. In 1947 the town appropriated
money for a new fire station at the corner of
Main and Norton streets and the firefighters
themselves chipped in and performed a lot of
the manual labor and most of the construction.
The new station was dedicated in August of
1948. The town continued to update the
department with the purchases of gas masks,
rubber coats, hats, boots, portable pumps,
flood lights and even mobile radio units.  The
town could now notify the fire department by
simply picking up a phone and dialing “222”.  
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In 1950, the town purchased a 1950 Chevrolet
14-ft boat.
Some of the larger recorded fires in town were
the Canning Factory Fire in 1946, the larger
forest fires that plaqued the state in 1947, the
Palace Theater fire in 1949, the Masonic hall
fire in 1950 and the Town Hall fire of 1951.
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The Fire Station at the corner of Norton and Main
Streets that was dedicated in August of 1948. C. 1948
1924 Federal Knight Fire Truck at the old Town
Hall that was housed in the basement.
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swap patches.