The Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Co.1 is a very historic fire company. Several major fires and incidents took place in the city of Shelton in which the Echo Hose fire company responded to. Below is a historic timeline of major fires and significant events that took place during the era of the Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Co.1 since its origination in 1882.
May 1882 – The Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Company No.1 was originated
February 21, 1921 – Head on trolley car collision in downtown Shelton kills 2, injures 12
September 14, 1939 – The Echo Hose takes delivery of an Ahrens Fox B/T Hardtop Engine (Jumbo, E-1)
March 26, 1961 – Echo Hose, Shelton Fire Headquarters firehouse built (379 Coram Avenue)
March 1, 1975 – Sponge Rubber Products fire (largest arson fire in United States history)
November 27, 1980 – Rapp’s Restaurant Fire
October 9, 1982 – The Echo Hose hosts its annual ball celebrating 100 years of service
April 22, 1984 – Echo Hose firefighters rescue three canoeists from the Housatonic River
October 23, 1985 – The Echo Hose takes delivery of a 1985 Ford LN 8000 Rescue truck (Squad 5)
December 6, 1985 – Natural gas explosion at the River Restaurant in Derby (6 killed, 12 injured – 268 Main Street) Echo Hose responded as mutual aid
February 24, 1989 – Beard Asphalt Plant Fire (185 Canal St)
July 6, 1989 – Satin America Fire (40 Oliver Terr)
May 11, 1990 – Cel-lastik Sponge Rubber Products Fire (93 Canal St)
March 15, 1991 – Echo Hose Firefighter Daniel Wannagot dies in the line of duty while battling a house fire
April 11, 1991 – 4-alarm fire at the Shelton-Derby Boys and Girls club. More than $1 million in damage caused (423 Howe Avenue)
August 12, 1991 – Basement explosion in a six-family apartment building kills mother and two children in Derby – Ladder 1 responds as mutual aid (275 Caroline Street)
October 31, 1991 – 3-alarm fire at the Birchwood Condominiums located at 39 Coram Road. $1 million in damage caused, investigations deem the fire arson
January 30, 1992 – The Shelton Fire Department and Echo Hose become the first department to establish a “incentive” program, essentially a pension fund for volunteer firefighters.
March 2, 1992 – 3-alarm fire strikes Shelton Tack Company/Cel-lastik Sponge Rubber Products and Plastics Company (93 Canal St)
July 14, 1993 – 4-alarm fire at Hunter’s Corner / Connecticut Army-Navy (426 Howe Avenue)
July 31, 1993 – Samarius Lamp Company Fire – Estimated $1 million in damage caused (113 Canal St)
September 14, 1993 – Kazimir-Pulaski Club Fire (42 Bridge St)
March 5, 1994 – Albert Falconi arrested on several counts of arson charges in Shelton
June 17, 1994 – 2nd Samarius Lamp Company Fire (113 Canal Street)
July 1, 1994 – A 10-year old boy is charged with arson after setting fire to a six family home on Howe Avenue (252 Howe Avenue)
August 31, 1994 – Echo Hose firefighters rescue a mother and three children from a fire at 147 Myrtle Street
October 1994 – Echo Hose member Richard Tallberg retires as Chief of the Department
September 15, 1995 – Shelton Laundry / Shelton Pizza Fire – Estimated $200,000 in damage (525 Howe Avenue)
February 14, 1996 – The Echo Hose takes delivery of a 1996 KME Aerialcat 95-foot Tower (Tower 7)
November 4, 1996 – Shelton arsonist Jerry Walburn pleads guilty to 1st degree arson and is sentenced to 20 years in prison
September 25, 1997 – Accidental fire guts the VFW Post 1236 (85 Bridge Street)
July 10, 2000 – A 3-alarm fire at the former Rolfite Chemical Company (131 Canal Street)
May 14, 2001 – A massive industrial fire at Latex Foam Products in Ansonia – Tower 7 responded as mutual aid
June 3, 2007 – The Echo Hose celebrates 125 years of service – Hosts parade and convention
December 30, 2008 – Shelton High School Fire
December 13, 2009 – 56-car pile up on Route 110 in the area of Indian Wells State Park
June 24, 2010 – A tornado rips through Bridgeport – Tower 7 is called for mutual aid
October 4, 2012 – Ladder 1 decommissioned after 36 years of service
January 9, 2013 – Apex Tool / Better Packages Fire (235 Canal St)
January 5, 2014 – Howe Convenient Fire / building collapse (441 Howe Ave)
June 25, 2014 – Large industrial fire at Latex Foam Products (515 River Rd)
August 29, 2014 – The Echo Hose takes delivery of a 2014 Pierce Velocity Heavy Rescue (Squad 1)
August 30, 2014 – Squad 5 decommissioned after 29 years of service
January 29, 2015 – Engine 4 decommissioned after 28 years of service