WPBFD History

lice Department was on routine afternoon patrol along Congress Avenue when he spotted smoke coming from the roof of a building under construction at the Granada Apartments, 500 North Congress Avenue. He radioed in to report a fire in the complex. The nearest fire units re- sponded from #1 and #4 Stations, while construction workers at #5 Station, next-door to the fire, looked on. Heavy traffic on Okeechobee Boulevard delayed respond- ing companies. Firefighters confined the fire to the build- ing of origin, though it was free burning through the roof on arrival. Three weeks after the Granada Apartment fire, Sta- tion #5 opened for business. The station began operations March 19 and a formal dedication ceremony was held March 29. The new quarters appeared to be the ultimate in modern fire station design, but appearances proved de- ceiving. The architects received an award for the unique design that blended with the surrounding new construc- tion. Problems developed almost from the beginning with water leaking from the roof into the exterior walls. Be- fore long plaster was crumbling and wood wall panels were warping. Later the ceramic tile in the bathrooms fell from the walls because of improper installation. Fire- fighters hated the pull-down Murphy beds that had been

civil disorder across the country. West Palm Beach en- countered minor disturbances, but nothing to compare with major outbreaks elsewhere. Firefighters were ex- posed to rock and bottle throwing while on the scene of emergencies. Officers were cautious when entering cer- tain areas and had orders to withdraw if threatened. For- tunately the incidents that did occur never resulted in inju- ries or extensive damage. One firefighter decided to pro- vide his own unauthorized protection. One night as he was making a hydrant, a .45 automatic pistol fell out of his bunker coat pocket to the surprise of bystanders. Firefighters arriving at the Hotel & Apartment Sup- ply Company at 9:43 p.m. on January 30, 1970, found fire on the first and second floors. The building, located at 416 Bunker Road, had a heavy fire load making extin- guishment difficult. Pump lines were put into service to attack the first floor. On gaining access to the second floor, hand lines hooked up to the standpipe system com- pleted extinguishment. The fire started in the first floor electrical room and caused severe fire damage to both the structure and contents. The alarm awakened firefighters at 4:46 a.m. on Monday, February 23, 1970. A fire was reported on the second floor of a building that housed the Bon Soir Res- taurant at 4th Street and North Olive Avenue.

installed in the two dor- mitories. By the mid- 1980's the station would require major renovation. On June 19, 1970, an arsonist attempted to burn down St. Andrews Resi- dence which was under construction at 205 Fern Street. The felon used forcible entry to gain ac- cess to the building. Wood, paper, and oil were used to start fires on the second, third, fourth, and fifth floors of the fif- teen story high rise. The rooms of origin suffered severe damage, but the structural integrity of the building was not affected. The fire was thoroughly investigated by fire and police officials. Suspects were identified, but prose- cution was not successful. In June Governor Claude Kirk disappointed the firefighters in Palm Beach County when he vetoed a

Flames were visible in the second floor windows as units arrived minutes later. Fire extended into the attic space making it necessary for firemen to open the roof to quench the flames. The severe structural damage re- quired major renovation before the building was again habitable. Station #5 was near- ing completion, but con- struction was several months behind schedule in late February of 1970. The personnel necessary to man the station had been hired and trained, but were assigned to other units until the new station was officially opened. Department manning was now at 119 men. On February 23, Officer E. S. Rickey of the West Palm Beach Po-

Grenada Apartments February 1970. 10