A February 28 article from an unidentified newspaper described the fire of six houses in Cedar Hollow, which left 32 homeless, and was an estimated loss of over $10,000. In August, a headline read, "Locomotive fire closes 3 of PRR Tracks in Malvern." An engine, pulling 75 cars, burst into flames, with an estimated loss of $40,000. "Firemen working around the burning locomotive were endangered by the speeding freights and passenger trains which rushed by on the adjoining tracks" (UMLN)

A $100,000 fire at the Willisbrook Farm, Sugartown Road, was reported August 25 and a $50,000 fire at the William Nassau, Jr. estate, Swedesford Road, Paoli, October 27. (UMLN) The Chester Valley Country Club suffered a fire early in December, with a loss estimated at between $75,000 and $100,000. (DLN) Reportedly, the company bought a 1941 LaSalle ambulance in 1950, in service for one year.

The present, active Malvern Fire Company Ladies' Auxiliary was established January 25, 1950. Many of the women who founded the Auxiliary are still very active today, still enjoying the work they do to support the company. The Charter meeting was attended by 25 women and six men.

A fire in July, 1951 in the rear annex of the Malvern Farm Supply was an estimated loss of $5,000. "Fire Police, on the job quickly, had trouble controlling spectators." (UMLN)

In March, the Trustees recommended "that the dog [reportedly a Dalmatian] be kept in the old engine room. Running loose in engine room, has caused scratches on trucks, and shoes and boots have been chewed on."

The Upper Main Line News reported June 8 that "A beautiful new Pontiac Ambulance for the Malvern Fire Company arrived at the Firehouse on Monday fully equipped with resuscitator, stretchers and everything needed for first aid. 

"Malvern's vehicle, paid for out of the Fire Company's Ambulance Fund, is the latest in a series of recent equipment purchased by Fire Companies of the Upper Main Line." In 1959, ambulance protection was provided to 1,400 homes in Malvern, East Whiteland, Willistown and Charlestown.

A list of apparatus was included in the ad. ..."Our apparatus includes a 1951 Pontiac Ambulance, a 1946 Mack 750 GPM pumper in excellent condition; a 1939 Chevrolet Squad Truck, in good condition: and a 1931 LaFrance, although in apparent good condition for its age, it should be replaced to continue your proper fire protection. To do so will cost approximately $15,000."

An unidentified newspaper reported April 29, 1953 a fire at Quann's Hardware, with an estimated loss of $20,000. The Auxiliary voted September 28 to donate $250 to the Company for equipment for presentation at the October 24 banquet.

A December 14, 1954 newspaper report described the 1 a.m, lire at St. Joseph's Hall at the Layman's Retreat. The building was gutted, with an estimated loss of $100,000. In the pouring rain, firemen fought the blaze, laying hose to the lake at Malvern Prep. (DLN)

A Borough Council meeting report April 9 in the newspaper noted an appeal from the Company. "A spokesman for the fire company appealed for more funds.

A new $20,000 pumper is to be delivered shortly to replace the 20 year old pumper, now obsolete. The fire company has received only $300 in its current equipment drive, and is desperately in need of funds. There have been more fires in the borough and surrounding townships so far this year than in all of last year.

An Upper Main Line News picture [July 30 ] taken by Betty Burke, showed the Company's new Mack 750-gallon fire engine being tested, using water from the Malvern Prep Lake. "The new truck carries an additional 500 gallons of water and is first on the Main Line with a rockwood loam and wetwater system specially installed by the Malvern Fire Department."

A three-car frame garage at the Point Comfort Nursing Home on King Street caught fire and suffered damage estimated at between $2,000 and $3,000, according to a June 16, 1955 newspaper account.

A newspaper report of February 23, 1956 reported that the "Malvern Fire Co. members voted to purchase four two-way radios and to Install a base station in the engine house...

"Fire Chief John J. Buffington reported 179 alarms were answered in 1955.  Only 22 were in the borough. The ambulance was called into service 179 times last year, covering 3,690 miles."

A June 2, 1958 newspaper report described a "set" fire. "Volunteers from the Malvern Fire Company spent Saturday afternoon burning down a vacant house on Old Lincoln Highway in Malvern which had been the subject of many complaints from residents of the area. (DLN)

"Children of the neighborhood frequently played around the building which was dangerous due to the conditions of the floors and walls. The Acorn Iron Supply Co., Philadelphia, owner of the building and surrounding land, agreed to have the fire company destroy it.

"The condition of the building was pointed out in a story In the Daily Local News on Thursday." (DLN)

In April, 1959 the Auxiliary agreed to donate $1,000 to the Company towards the purchase of a new ambulance, a Pontiac "Criterion." Additional equipment in 1959 included a 1931 American LaFrance 500-gallon pumper used only in town, a 1947 Mack 750-gallon pumper with a 300-gallon booster, a 1956 Mack 750-gallon pumper with a 500-gallon booster, a 1951 Pontiac ambulance, and a 1952 Chevrolet emergency-rescue truck. In 1959, ambulance protection was provided to 1,400 homes. (EB)

Continued

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