Valley Oldies: History subject sparks interest in school fire

By RON PAGLIA

You know how it goes. One thing leads to another.

So it was with a Pages of the Past history item the other day regarding a destructive fire 60 years ago at the Phillipsburg School in California.

“We remember the fire but can’t recall the details,” said a woman in Coal Center. “Can you provide some details about what happened? It would be much appreciated.”

The destructive fire that destroyed the then 34-year-old structure occurred March 13, 1959. The headline in The Charleroi Mail that day offered a mixed summary of what happened. It read this way — “317 Pupils Safe As School Burns.” A sub-head offered this addition — “Teachers Avert Panic By ‘Drill.’”

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