Disastrous Fires Demand Action
November 27, 1921
It is to be hoped now that our board of trustees will take some action toward securing the proper fire protection for the city of Susanville. We have had three fires in as many weeks and all of them were great success as fires go.
At the fire which destroyed the Palmer Lee place on upper Pine Street there was not sufficient force to the water to any more than reach the blaze and the Midway garage on lower Main Street was also a total loss.
Monday night we would like to ask where were the fire ladders? Where were the spanners? Why was there not someone in authority to direct the firefighting?
The volunteers did their best, but everyone was shouting directions and no one could take the initiative.
It was more good fortune than anything else that has kept the fires confined to such small areas in the past. Unless proper fire protection is accorded and a paid fire chief secured at once with necessary equipment with which to work, Susanville will someday have a fire and the greater part of the town will go up in smoke.
