40 Years Ago - Miller Building heavily damaged by fire
Jun. 5—June 5, 1983
Miller Building hit by fire
A two-alarm fire hit the Miller Building on the 400 block of Spruce Street in the early morning hours of June 4.
A motorist reported the blaze at 1:31 a.m. by using their citizens band radio.
Scranton firefighters arrived on scene and immediately called for Pennsylvania Gas & Water Co. to come to shut off the gas to the building.
Once the utility crew arrived, they started work to shut off the gas. But after hours of digging and jackhammering to reach the shutoff valve, they were unable to turn it off.
As they worked, the firefighters had to deal with the flames and natural gas. Several firefighters were overcome by the fumes and were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Finally, the work crew received permission to shut off the natural gas main that fed the entire block.
Once the gas was off, the firefighters put down the blaze and stayed on scene throughout the day hosing down the ruins to extinguish hot spots.
The five-story building was home to many businesses and offices, including the local office for state Sen. Robert Mellow, Flo's Snack Bar, several beauty salons, law offices, jewelers and jewelry repair shops, and insurance agencies.
In April, the Dime Bank just yards away from the Miller Building was also ravaged by fire.
On June 21, Scranton Fire Chief Robert Ruddy reported the fire at the Miller Building started in an electrical wire in the cellar of the former N.B. Levy Store.
Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.
Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.
