Make this black & white, and it could be 1940 again!

[Art Anderson]

Lafayette IN Fire Station #3, built about 1920.  It was replaced by an all new station a block east, large enough to house the latest in fire apparatus, and now serves as a combination firefighting museum and LFD's education center.  Currently, Station 3 is home to not one, but two Ahrens-Fox pumpers:   The piston pumper on the right is from 1924, runs and pumps water still.  The Ahrens-Fox on the left is from 1937, and holds the distinction of being the longest-serving fire apparatus in the history of Lafayette Fire Department--from 1937 to 1980, with an engine transplant in the mid-1970's (Ford V8 truck engine).  The '37 also has the distinction of surviving a fatal fire call, when in 1953 it was called out to a fire at the local Wonder Bread warehouse.  This truck pulled up to the open garage door, and as the crew deployed to fight the fire inside, the gasoline tank on a bread truck nearest the door exploded, killing two firefighters almost instantly, a third died in hospital several days later.  The truck was repaired, and continued on roster at LFD until 1980 (then repowered with a mid-70's Ford truck engine).  Now completely restored (and it pumps water still!), this A-F pumper still bears a few scars from that tragic day in 1953, in the form of a warped hood and radiator shell, which my friend determined would remain, so as to inspire questions--so that the story would continue to be told.

Without further ado, Lafayette IN Fire Station #3:

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Great story and photos Art. Thanks.

[Crazy Ed]

      Like the Pictures and with the addition of the History they're all that much better.