The former quarters of Bridgeport, Ct Fire Departments, Engine 3 and Truck 3 at Norman and Hanover Sts has collapsed.
During the early to mid 70s, as a "young wanna-be-firefighter", it was one of my favorite hang outs. It was one of the busiest firehouses in that city at the time. Those guys would catch their share of work as the so called Bridgeport War Years were in the very early stages of starting.
I had two very special friends who I would go to visit. Both were rookies on the job (nicknamed Fitzie and Pinky). Fitzie had worked in Manhattan before becoming a firefighter and he was a FDNY buff too. We would talk about the FDNY and also they would give me a few pointers on taking the test to get on the job.
The area was busy and more than a few times, I chased those companies a few blocks into a good job. Truck 3, later to be know as Ladder 3, was closed several years ago after they moved into their new firehouse on Wood Ave along with Eng 3 and Eng 4. At the time Truck 3 was an American LaFrance tiller, similar to some used by the FDNY. At times, Fitzie or Pinky would be on the tiller, and I sure liked watching them turn the corner onto nearby State St.
AS I remember, after this firehouse was closed, it was used as a city garage/storage area for a short time.
I really enjoyed going there. As a kid, I would also visit there with my father, who was a Bridgeport Firefighter, when he used to visit a couple of his friends. In 1977, my brother got on the job there too and I believe he spent about two months working there as a new Probie.
Here is a brief story of this firehouse collapse.
http://www.doingitlocal.com/2017/02/bridgeport-news-building-collapse/
During the early to mid 70s, as a "young wanna-be-firefighter", it was one of my favorite hang outs. It was one of the busiest firehouses in that city at the time. Those guys would catch their share of work as the so called Bridgeport War Years were in the very early stages of starting.
I had two very special friends who I would go to visit. Both were rookies on the job (nicknamed Fitzie and Pinky). Fitzie had worked in Manhattan before becoming a firefighter and he was a FDNY buff too. We would talk about the FDNY and also they would give me a few pointers on taking the test to get on the job.
The area was busy and more than a few times, I chased those companies a few blocks into a good job. Truck 3, later to be know as Ladder 3, was closed several years ago after they moved into their new firehouse on Wood Ave along with Eng 3 and Eng 4. At the time Truck 3 was an American LaFrance tiller, similar to some used by the FDNY. At times, Fitzie or Pinky would be on the tiller, and I sure liked watching them turn the corner onto nearby State St.
AS I remember, after this firehouse was closed, it was used as a city garage/storage area for a short time.
I really enjoyed going there. As a kid, I would also visit there with my father, who was a Bridgeport Firefighter, when he used to visit a couple of his friends. In 1977, my brother got on the job there too and I believe he spent about two months working there as a new Probie.
Here is a brief story of this firehouse collapse.
http://www.doingitlocal.com/2017/02/bridgeport-news-building-collapse/