New Fire Station Opened in Bridgeport
The new Bridgeport, Conn., fire station No. 2, located on Clarence street, erected at a cost of $50,000 was officially opened for service on July 18 with an elaborate program of festivities which took the form of a mammoth block party. Dance music was provided by a ten-piece orchestra from 7 to 11 p. m. The opening of the new station, conceded to be one of the most coniplete in equipment and convenience in Connecticut, marks the passing of the old Engine No. 2 house, which was erected 75 years ago and converted from an old jail house to a fire station.
Mayor F. Williams Behrens of Bridgeport, members of the Board of Fire Commissioners, Acting Chief Thomas F. Burns, ex-Chief Daniel E. Johnson and one hundred officers and members of the Bridgeport department were on hand to take care of the evening’s program. Mayor Behrens lauded the fire commission for their efforts in bringing about the erection of the new station. President Henry N. McCathron of the Board of Fire Commissioners highly complimented the men of the Bridgeport department for their devotion to their duties and cited many acts of bravery in a fireman’s life that the general public never hears about.
The new fire station is a two-story brick structure with white trim and green apparatus doors. It is equally interesting from within. The lower floor in front is for company’s two motor pieces, a 750-gallon American-LaFrance pumper and a combination chemical and Locomobile hose wagon. To the right rear is a watch desk, set off in glass and wood partition where the alarm equipment is installed. A lavatory and oil storage complete the ground floor except a thoroughly furnished kitchen, with sink, gas stove, cabinet and pantry.
On the second floor are six bedrooms, each with bed, dresser, chair, closet and mirror. The captain’s and lieutenant’s room in front is each fitted with desk and chair set and a rug. Showers, bath and lavatories are on this floor and in the rear is a large recreation room with pool table and card-playing equipment.
The basement contains a boiler room, a hose rack and will later contain a clothes dryer so men wet after fires may quickly restore equipment. There are wide staircases and sliding brass poles. The building itself is thirty-two by eighty feet in size.
